■^ 




I 



\ 



THE 



HISTORY 



NEW JERSEY, 



KIKIM ITS 



DISCOVERY BY EUROPEANS, 



THE ADOPTIOJV 



FEDERAL CONSTITUTIOJV. 



BY 

THOMAS F. GORDON. 



Trenton : 

PUBLISHED BY DANIEL FENTON. 

John C. t'lark, I'ritUer, l'liilu(lc'l|iliia. 

1834. 






Entered by Thomas F. Gordon, according to tl.e Act of Congress, in the Clerk's Office of the District 
Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



m^ 



1 



PREFACE. 



An attempt has been made in the following pages to narrate, suc- 
cinctly, but fully, the history of New Jersey, from the time of its 
discovery by Europeans, to that of the adoption of the constitution 
of the United States. By the latter event, the individuality of the 
State, as a historical subject, is merged in the history of the nation; 
and the subsequent period of unvaried political prosperity, within 
her borders, presents few matters for the historian. 

The story we have told, has, for the inhabitants of the State, the 
interest of their peculiar and proper affairs; but, like such affairs, 
may not prove attractive to strangers. Like Pennsylvania, this 
State was founded by deeds of peace; and no community, in any 
country, can have undergone less vicissitude. Her prudence and 
justice preserved her from Indian hostility, and her distance from 
the frontier protected her from the inroads of the French. She has 
known, therefore, no wars, save those commanded by the king, or 
undertaken in defence of her own civil liberty. To pourtray the 
part, which, as a colony, she took in the one, and as an independent 
State, in the other, it has been necessary to treat of the general 
colonial and revolutionary history; yet no further than was indis- 
pensable to exhibit the action of New Jersey. 

In the compilation of the work, resort has been had to all the 
known histories of the Anglo-American colonies, to the best writers 
on the American revolution, and to the minutes of the legislature 
and the statutes, for a period of more than one hundred and twenty 
years. From these sources, it is believed, that a faithful and ample 
narrative has been obtained. More particulars of the horrors which 
attended the revolutionary war, especially of those which were in- 
flicted by furious tory partisans, might, perhaps, have been added, 
if full reliance were due to the partial newspaper accounts, fre- 
quently written under excitement unfavourable to truth. Yet, 
enough of these scenes has been described to display the nature and 
extent of the sufferings of tlie inhabitants; more would Iiave served 
rather to disgust, than to entertain, the reader. 



IV PREFACE. 

The author suhinits the result of his labours to the many sub- 
scribers by whom they have been encouraged, with an assurance of 
his readiness, in another edition, to supply such omissions, and to 
correct such errors, as may be discovered in the [)rcsent. 

March, 1834. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Comprising Events from the Discovery by Europeans, to the Grant from 
Charles I. to James Duke of York. I. Ancient and Modern Principles of 
Colonization. II. Voyages of the Spaniards and Portuguese upon the East 
Coast of North America. III. Voyages of the Italians, Verrazano, and the 
Cabots. IV. First English Attempts at Discovery. V. Efforts of Raleigh 
to establish a Colony. VI. Gosnold opens a new Road — London and Ply- 
mouth Companies created. VII. Voyages and Discoveries of Hudson. 

VIII. Intercourse of the Dutch East India Company with America, and 
Formation of the Amsterdam Licensed Trading West India Company. 

IX. Settlement of the Puritans at Plymouth. X. Formation of the Great 
West India Company in Holland. XI. Voyage and Proceedings of Cor- 
nelius Jacobse Mey. XII. Measures of the Company to promote Emigra 
tion; Purchases of large Tracts of Land from the Indians. XIII. Voyages 
of De Vries; Colony planted — The Delaware abandoned by the Dutch. 
XIV. Minisink Settlements on the Delaware. XV. Settlements of the 
Swedes on the Delaware — first Project of a Colony — first Colony — increase 
of Settlers. XVI. Colonial Government established — Colonel Printz first 
Governor. XVII. English Settlements upon the Delaware — prostrated by 
a united Force of Dutch and Swedes. XVIII. Swedish Government 
under Printz and his Successors. XIX. Swedish Colony subjected by the 
Dutch. XX. Dutch Colonial Government on the Delaware — Possessions 
on the East of New Jersey. XXI. Account of the English Settlements 
upon the Delaware previous to 1664 — under Patent from Lord Baltimore — 
under Grant to Sir Edward Ploeyden — by Traders from New Haven. 
XXII. Plans of New England Settlers for Conquest of the Dutch Colo- 
nies. XXIII. Duke of York's Charter from the Crown and Grant to 
Berkeley and Carteret. XXIV. Conquest of New Netherlands, by Co- 
lonel Nicholls. XXV. English Government established on the Delaware. 
XXVI. Condition of New Netherlands at the time of the Surrender page 1 

CHAPTER II. 

Comprising Events from the Grant to the Duke of York, to the Division of the 
Colony, into East and West Jersey. I. Nature of the Estate acquired by 
the Duke of York, by the Grant from Charles I. l\. Motives and Nature 
of the Grant from the Duke of York, to Berkeley and Carteret. III. 
Bounds of the Country ceded. IV. Proceedings of the Proprietaries, to 
settle their Province of New Jersey, &c. — their " Concessions." V. Re- 
marks on the Constitution. VI. Assumption of Government by Colonel 
Nicholls— Indian Grants. VII. Philip Carteret appointed Governor— His 
Efforts for Colonization — Advantages enjoyed by the New Colonists. VIII. 
Unhappy Effects of the Demand of Proprietary Quit Rents. IX. Recap- 
ture of New Netherlands by Holland — and Restoration to the English. 

X. Re-grant of the Province to the Duke — Re-grant to Berkeley and Car- 
teret. XI. Return of Philip Carteret to the Government — Modification of 
the Constitution. Xil. Oppressive Conduct of Andross, Governor of New 
York. XIII. Division of the Province into East and West Jersey . . 23 

CHAPTER III. 

From the Division of the Province, into East and West Jersey, to the Purchase 
of East Jersey, by Quakers. I. Motives of the Quakers for Emigration. 
II. Sale of Lord Berkeley, to Bylhnge and Fenwicke. III. Assignment 
of West Jersey to William Penn, and others in Trust, for the Creditors of 
Byllinge. IV. "Concessions," or Constitution of West Jersey. V. Mea- 
sures of the Proprietaries to promote Colonization. VI. ConmuHsioners 
a 



VI CONTENTS. 

appointed to Administer the Government of West Jersey— their Proceed- 
incrs. VII. Increase of Emigrants— Success of their Efforts. VIII. Death 
of^Sir George Carteret— Successful ElTorts of the Colonists, to procure 
Relief from the Jurisdiction of New York. IX. Extraordinary Pretensions 
of By Hinge. X. Resisted by the Proprietaries, in General Assembly- 
Samuel Jennings elected Governor— Proceeds to England, as Deputy of 
the Assembly— The Right of Government, purchased by Doctor Daniel 
Coxe, and subsequently transferred to the West Jersey Society. XII. 
Meeting of the First Assembly— Proceedings. XIII. Modification of the 
Law, relating to Religious Faith. XIV. Death of Carteret— his Disposi- 
tion of East Jersey. XV. Troubles at the Close of the Administration of 
Philip Carteret. XVI. Review of the Policy of the Proprietary Govern- 
ments. XVII. Comparison between the Laws of East and West Jersey 32 

CHAPTER IV. 

From the Purchase of East Jersey, by the Quakers, to the Surrender of the two 
Provinces to the Crown, 1()82— 1702. I. Purchase of East Jersey by Penn 
and his Associates— They admit others, not Quakers, to participate in the 
Purchase. II. Robert Barclay appointed Governor for Life — Scotch Emi- 
grants — Deputy Governors — Foundation of Amboy — Vain Efforts at Com- 
merce. III. Efforts of James II. to destroy Colonial Charter — Defeated 
by the Revolution. IV. Andrew Hamilton, Deputy Governor — Death of 
Robert Barclay — Interregnum — Andrew Hamilton, Governor-in-Chief— 
Superseded by Jeremiah Basse — Reappointed — Discontent of the Colonists. 

V. Attempt of New York to tax the Colony. VI. Proposition from the 
English Ministers for the Surrender of the Proprietary Governments — 
Negotiations relating thereto. VII. Final and Unconditional Surrender — 
Lord Cornbury appointed Governor — Outline of the New Government. 

VIII. Stationary Condition of New Jersey— Causes thereof. IX. Condi- 
tion of the Aborigines — Purchases of their Lands — Traditions of their Ori- 
gin — Tribes most noted in New Jersey — Treaty at Crosswicks — at Bur- 
lington and Easton — Final Extinction of Indian Title to the Soil of New 
Jersey. X. Review of the Title under the Proprietaries of East Jersey. 
XI. Review of Title of Proprietaries of West Jersey. XII. Of the Parti- 
tion Line between East and West Jersey . . . . .50 

CHAPTER V. 

Comprising the Administration of Lord Cornbury. I. Arrival of Lord Corn- 
bury — Demands a large and permanent Salary — being refused, dissolves 
the House. II. A new Assembly chosen — Part of its Members arbitrarily 
excluded — Measures of the Governor. III. Third Assembly convened — 
Determines to Petition the Queen, and to remonstrate with the Governor 
— Public Grievances — Delivery of the Remonstrance, by Samuel Jennings. 
IV. Reply of the Governor. V. Dispute on the Treasurer's Accounts. 

VI. The Governor refuses the Message of the Assembly, which they enter 
upon their Minutes. VII. The West Jersey Proprietors, in England, ad- 
dress a Memorial to the Commissioners of Trade and Plantations, against 
Cornbury — Address of the Lieutenant-Governor, and Provincial Council, 
to the Queen. VIII. Tlie Governor unable to obtain the gratification of 
his wishes, by the Assembly, first prorogues, and then dissolves them. 

IX. Offensive Conduct of Lord Cornbury, in his Government of New 
York — His Character. X. Is reluctantly removed by Queen Anne — Im- 
prisoned by his Creditors ....... 76 

CHAPTER VI. 

Comprising Events from the Removal of Lord Cornbury to the Close of the 
Administration of Governor Hunter, 1709 — 1719. I. Lord Cornbury suc- 
ceeded by Lord Lovelace — His Conciliatory Address to the Assembly. II. 
Ready disposition of the House to provide for the Support of Government 
— Change in the Constitution of the Assembly — Assembly obtain a Copy 
of the Address of the Liuuleuaiit Governor and Council, to the Queen, in 
favour of Lord Cornbury — Demand a hearing for their Defence before the 
Governor. HI. Death of Lord Lovelace and Accession of Lieutenant 
Governor Ingoldsby. IV. Promptitude of the Province to aid in reducing 
the French Possessions in North America V. Failure of the Expedition, 



CONTENTS. VU 

and renewed Efforts of the Colonists to revive it — Visit of the Chiefs of 
the Five Nations to England. VI. Capture of Port Royal, &c. by Colonel 
Nicholson and the American Forces. VII. Governor Ingoldsby removed 
— Government administered by William Pinhorne as President of Council 
— succeeded by Governor Hunter. VIII. Biog-raphical Notice of Gover- 
nor Hunter. IX. Meets the Assembly, which prefers Charges against 
Members of Council. X. Expulsion of a Member of the House for his 
Conduct in Council — Address to the Queen. XI. Bills proposed for the 
Relief of the Quakers defeated by the Council. XII. New Efforts for the 
Conquest of the French Provinces — Unfortunate Result. XIII. Con- 
tinued Quiet of the Province. XIV. Division of the Assembly. XV. 
Governor Hunter returns to Europe — Testimonials in his favour by New 
Jersey and New York — Exchanges his Commission with William Burnet 84 

CHAPTER VII. 

Containing Events from the arrival of Governor Burnet, to the Death of Go- 
vernor Morris, 1719 — 1746. I. Governor Burnet — Notice of his Character. 
11. Meets the Assembly — Proceedings. III. Paper Currency — an Account 
of its Rise and Progress. IV. Bill proposed against denying the Trinity, 
&c. V. Governor Bernard removed to Massachusetts. VI. Is succeeded 
by John Montgomery — His Administration. VII. Death of Colonel Mont- 
gomery, and Presidency of Colonel Lewis Morris — Arrival of Governor 
Cosby — Harmony of the Province during his Administration — His Death. 
VIII. Presidencies of John Anderson and John Hamilton, Esquires. IX. 
Lewis Morris, Governor of the Province of New Jersey, it being separated 
from New York — Gratification of the Province. X. He ceases to meet the 
Council in Legislation. XI. Salaries of Officers. XII. Unpopular Con- 
duct of Governor Morris. XIII. W^ar Avith Spain — Aid required by Great 
Britain, from the Colonies — promptly afforded by New Jersey — Further 
disputes between the Governor and Assembly. XIV. Disingenuous Con- 
duct of the Governor, relative to the Fee Bill. XV. Opposes the Views of 
the House, on the Bill relative to the Paper Currency — on that, circum- 
scribing the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. XVI. Assembly refuse 
to provide for the Salaries of the Public Officers. XVII. Efforts at accom- 
modation — defeated by the discovery of the duplicity of the Governor — 
Death of Governor Morris — John Hamilton, Esq., President. XVIII. Bio- 
graphical Notice of Governor Morris. XIX. Application made by his 
Widow, for arrears of Salary — refused . . . . .93 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Comprehending Events from the Death of Governor Morris to the Death of 
Governor Belcher — from 1746 to 1757. I. War with France — Proposal of 
Governor Shirley to attack the French Settlements at Cape Breton — New 
Jersey votes two thousand Pounds for the Service — Favourable result of 
the Expedition. II. Proposed attack on Canada — Now Jersey Regiment 
raised and placed under the command of Colonel Philip Schuyler — March 
for Albany — Threatened Mutiny. III. Plan of tlie proposed Campaign. 
IV. Treaty of Peace. V. Death of President Hamilton— Devolvement of 
the Government on President Reading — Arrival of Governor Belcher — 
His Character. VI. Vexations arising from the Elizabethtown Claims 
under Indian Grants — the Assembly disposed to palliate the Conduct of 
the Rioters — Representation of the Council of Proprietors — their grievous 
Charge against the Members of Assembly, in a Petition to the King — the 
House transmits a counter Petition — Disingenuous Conduct of the House. 
VII. Disputes relative to the " Quota Bill." VIII. Hostile proceedings of 
the French in America. IX. Difference between the French and English, 
in their mode of cultivating Indian favour. X. Efforts of the French to 
occupy the English Lands. XL Expedition of George Washington to 
Fort Venango. XII. Measures of the English Government to resist 
French encroachments. XIII. Convention of the Colonies — Plan of Union 
proposed by Dr. Franklin — Condemned by New Jersey — Military Expedi- 
tion of Lieutenant Colonel Washington — is captured by the French under 
De Villiers. XIV. Extensive Military Preparations of Great Britain. 
XV. Measures of New Jersey. XVI. Arrival of Major General Braddock. 

XVII. Convention of Governors to determine the Plan of the Campaign. 

XVIII. Acquisitions in Nova Scotia— Cruel Treatment of the Neutrals. 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

XIX. New Jersey raises a Regiment for tiie Northern Expedition — Mr. 
Philip Schuyler named Colonel. XX. March of General Braddock on the 
Western E.xpedition — Fastidiousness and Presumption of the General — is 
attacked and defeated. XXI. Universal Consternation on this Defeat — 
Governor Belcher summons the Legislature — Inroads and Cruelties of the 
Indians — the Inhabitants of New Jersey give aid to those of Pennsylvania. 
XXII. Successof the Northern E.xpedition. XXIII. Provision against the 
Attack of the French and Indians. XXIV. Plans proposed for the Cam- 
paign of 1756 — Exertions of the Colonies. XXV. War formally declared 
between Great Britain and France. XXVI. General Shirley removed 
from the supreme command — General Abercrombie, and, subsequently, 
Lord Loudon appointed. XXVII. Suspension of Indian Hostilities. 
XXVIII. Sluggish Military Efforts of the English — Success of the French 
in the North — Capture of part of the Jersey Regiment, with Colonel 
Schuyler, at Oswego — Disastrous termination of the Campaign. XXIX. 
Renewal of Indian Barbarities. XXX. Military Requisitions of Lord Lou- 
don — New Jersey refuses to raise more than five hundred Men. XXXI. 
Unsuccessful Attempt of Lord Loudon on Louisburg. XXXII. Success of 
Montcalm — New Jersey prepares to raise four thousand Men — tiie remain- 
der of the Jersey Regiment captured by the Enemy. XXXIII. Death of 
Governor Belcher — Biographical Notice of. XXXIV. John Reading, Pre- 
sident ......... 106 

CHAPTER IX. 

Containing Events from the Presidency of Mr. Reading to the Repeal of the 
Stamp Act — from the year 1746 to the year 1766. I. Influence of Mr. Pitt 
and his Policy upon Colonial Affairs — New hopes infused into the Colo- 
nists. II. Successful Attack of the English upon the Northern Forts. 
III. Capture of Fort Du Quesne by General Forbes. IV. Cheerful and 
ready aid of the Colonies. V. New Jersey supplies one thousand Men, 
and builds Barracks for the King's Troops. VI. President Reading super- 
seded by the arrival of Governor Bernard — His Treaty with the Indians — 
Succeeded by Thomas Boone — He, by Josiah Hardy — He, by William 
Franklin, the last of the Royal Governors. VII. Efficient Preparations 
for the Campaign of 1759. VIII. Conquest of the French Colonies in 
North America. IX. Honourable share of the Provincialists in this Re- 
sult. X. Treaty of Peace with France and Spain. XI. New Confederacy 
and Hostilities of the Indians — Six hundred Troops raised by New Jersey. 
XII. Impressions on the English Ministry, by the Wealth and Power dis- 
played in America. XIII. Proposition of Mr. Grenville to tax the Colo- 
nies. XIV. Consideration of the Principles relating to Colonial Taxation. 
XV. Mr. Grenville communicates his purpose to the Colonial Agents in 
London. XVI. Views taken by Colonies of this Proposition. XVII. Pro- 
positions by several of the Colonies to raise Money, rejected by Mr. Gren- 
ville. XVIII. Act of Parliament for Tax on Colonial Imports and Exports. 
XIX. Effect of the Measures in America — Proceedings of Massachusetts 
and Rhode Island. XX. Stamp Act passed — Its reception in the Colonies. 
XXI. Temporary Suspension of Legal Proceedings and of the publication 
of Newspapers. XXII. Anti-Importation Associations. XXIII. Organi- 
zation of the "Sons of Liberty." XXIV. Proposition of Massachusetts for 
assembling a Congress of Deputies from the Colonies — Action of New Jer- 
sey on this Proposition. XXV. Proceedings of the Congress — Messrs. 
Ruggles of Massachusetts, and Ogden of New Jersey, refuse to join in a 
general Petition. XXVI. Tlic Assembly of New Jersey approve the Pro- 
ceedings of Congress— adopts Resolutions condeiTinatory of the Stamp Act. 
XXVIl. Efforts in England for Repeal of the Stamp Act. XXIX. Inquiry 
before the House of Commons— Repeal of the Stamp Act . . .129 

CHAPTER X. 

Comprising Events from 1766 to 1769. I. Remaining Discontents in the Colo- 
nies, after the Repeal of the Stamp Act. H. Dissatisfaction in Great Bri- 
tain on account of the Repeal — American Taxation again proposed in Par- 
liament, by Mr. Townsend— Bill imposing Duties on Goods imported into 
America, passed. IV. Circular Letter of Massachusetts to the other Colo- 
nies. V. Promptitude and Unanimity of the Colonies produced by the 
Farmers' Letters. VI. Resort to Non-importation Agreements. VIl. 



► 



CONTENTS. IX 

The Ministry condemn the Circular Letter. VIII. Menacing Resohitions 
of Parliament against Massachusetts — The other Colonies approve her 
Conduct. IX. Modified Repeal of the Imposts — Consequent Modification 
of the Non-importation Agreements. X. Numerous Law Suits — The Peo- 
ple complain of the Fees of the Courts. XI. Disputes between the Go- 
vernor and the Assembly. XII. Robbery of the Treasury of East Jersey — 
The Assembly require the removal of the Treasurer — He is protected by 
the Governor. XIII. Efforts of Governor Franklin to encourage the Cul- 
ture of Hemp, Flax, and Silk. XIV. New apportionment of Members in 
the Province. XV. Testimonial of the Northern Indians to the Justice of 
the Colony ......... 144 

CHAPTER XI. 

Comprising Events from the year 1773 to 1776. I. Committees of Correspon- 
dence established in the several Colonies. II. The British Ministry en- 
courage the shipment of Teas to America, by the East India Company. 
III. Alarm of the Colonists — Consignees of the India Company compelled 
to forego their appointments. IV. Measures pursued in New Jersey. V. 
Reception of the Tea in America. VI. Indignation of the King and Par- 
liament. VII. Violent measures adopted against Boston. VIII. Alarm- 
ing Act of Parliament, relative to the Provincial Government of Canada. 
IX. Proceedings of the Inhabitants of Boston — General Commiseration of 
their Fate. X. New Jersey appoints Members to Congress. XI. Con- 
gress assemble at Philadelphia — Their proceedings. XII. The Assembly 
of New Jersey approve the proceedings of Congress, and appoint Dele- 
gates to the next Convention — Instructions. XIII. The Provincial Go- 
vernors instructed to impede the Union of the Colonies — Efforts of Gover- 
nor Franklin. XIV. Reply of the House. XV. Rejoinder of the Gover- 
nor — Address of the Council. XVI. The Assembly petition the King. 
XVII. Reception of the proceedmgs of Congress in London. XVIII. 
Proceedings of Parliament — Conciliatory Propositions of Lord North. 
XIX. Sense of New Jersey upon this Proposition. XX. State of the Dis- 
pute with England. XXI. Second New Jersey Convention called — En- 
courages Political Associations — Organizes the Militia, and ptovides Funds. 
XXII. Meeting of Congress at Philadelphia — Its Measures. XXIII. Ap- 
pointment of Commander-in-Chief and subordinate Generals. XXIV. 
Congress again petition the King — Ungracious reception of the petition. 
XXV. Address their fellow-subjects of Ireland, «S:.c. XXVL New Jersey 
Convention re-assembles — Proceedings — Provision for the continuance of 
a Provincial Congress — Committee of Safety appointed. XXVII. Meet- 
ing of the Assembly — Address of Governor Franklin — He claims assurance 
of protection for himself and others, the King's Officers. XXVIII. Reply 
of the Assembly. XXIX. Act authorizing the issue of Bills of Credit, for 
£100,000, approved by the King . . . . . .153 

CHAPTER XII. 

Comprising Civil Events of the year 1776. I. State of the Public Opinion at 
the commencement of the year 1776 — Gradual growth of the desire of In- 
dependence. II. Resolution of Congress for the establishment of Inde- 
pendent Colonial Governments. III. Provincial Congress re-assembles 
— Proceeds to the Formation of a Colonial Constitution. IV. Review of 
the Constitution. V. Oath of Abjuration and Allegiance established. VI. 
Tories — their motives. VII. Law relative to Treason. VIII. Imprison- 
ment and Relegation of Governor Franklin. IX. Measures adopted 
against the Disaffected. X. Adoption of the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence .......... 178 

CHAPTER XIII. 

I. Military Proceedings in Canada. II. Measures adopted in Great Britain. 
III. Objects proposed for the Campaign of 1776. IV. Operations against 
New York, and the surrounding Country. V. Proposals for accommoda- 
tion, by the British Commissioners. VI. Condition of the American 
Forces, at New York — Landing of Lord Howe, on Long Island. VII. 
Battle of Brooklyn. VIII. Retreat of the American Army from Long 



X CONTENTS. 

Island. IX. Unhappy Effect of the Defeat of the American Army. X. 
Lord Howe renews his Attempts for accommodation of the Quarrel — Pro- 
ceedings of Congress. XI. Military Movement of the Armies, after the 
Battle of Brooklyn. XII. American Army, by advice of General Lee, 
quit York Island. XIII. Battle of White JPlains. XIV. Capture of Fort 
Washington. XV. Abandonment of Fort Lee, and retreat of the Ameri- 
can Army — Its condition — Inhabitants join the British. XVI. Washing- 
ton crosses the Delaware — The enemy possess themselves of the left bank. 
XVII. Capture of General Lee. XVIII. New efforts of the Com- 
mander-in-Chief — The enemy retire into Winter Quarters. XIX. Battle 
of Trenton. XX. The British re-open the Campaign. XXI. The Ame- 
rican Army re-enters Jersey. XXII. Battle of Princeton. XXIII. The 
American Army retreat to Morristown — Beneficial results of the late ac- 
tions. XXIV. Firmness of Congress. XXV. Condition of New Jersey. 
XXVI. The American Army inoculated for the Small Pox. XXVII. 
Measures for reclaiming the disaffected of New Jersey. XXVIII. License 
of American Troops — restrained ...... 203 

CHAPTER XIV. 

I. Organization of the New Jersey State Government. II. First Address of 
the Governor — Other principal Officers. III. Condition of the State at 
this period. IV. State of the Northern Department — Operations on the 
Lakes. V. The British seize Rhode Island. VI. Demonstration of Ge- 
neral Heath, on Long Island — Condition of the American Array, in New 
Jersey — Skirmishing. VII. Early efforts of Sir William Howe, to destroy 
the American Magazines — Stores burned at Peck's-kill — at Danbury. 

VIII. Successful enterprise of Colonel Meigs, against Sagg Harbour. 

IX. Movements of General Washington, on opening the Campaign — Re- 
moval of the Army to Middlebrook — Disposition of the Troops. X. Ope- 
rations of the Army under General Howe — Feint to cross the Delaware — 
Retreat from New Jersey — Returns, and attacks the American Army. 
XI. Perplexity of Washington, caused by the Movements of the British 
Forces. XII. Capture of Major-general Prescott, by Major Barton. XIII. 
General Howe embarks for the southward — Measures of Washington 
thereon. XIV. Attempt of General Sullivan, with Colonel Ogden, upon 
the Tories on Staten Island. XV. Arrival of the British Army at Elk 
River — its Progress — Operations of the American Army — Battle of Bran- 
dy wine. XVI. Subsequent movement of the Armies. XVII. Second en- 
counter of the hostile Armies — they are separated by rain. XVIII. Af- 
fairs of Paoli. XIX. The British enter Philadelphia. XX. Congress re- 
move to Lancaster, thence to York. XXI. Attack and defence of the For- 
tifications on the Delaware. XXII. Battle of Germantown. XXIII. Ope- 
rations in New Jersey. XXIV. Further proceedings on the Delaware. 
XXV. Repulse of Count Donop, from Fort Mercer. XXVI. General 
Greene despatched to New Jersey. XXVII. Capture of Fort Mifllin, 
and abandonment of Fort Mercer. XXVIII. Attempt of General Dicken- 
son on Staten Island. XXIX. American Army reinforced. XXX. At- 
tacked at White Marsh, by the British. XXXI. The American Army re- 
tires into Winter Quarters. XXXII. English plans for the Northern Cam- 
paign. XXXIII. Condition of the American Northern Department. 
XXXIV. Burgoyne captures the Forts on the Lakes, and disperses the 
American Army. XXXV. Recuperative measures of General Schuyler. 
XXXVI. Repulse of St. Leger, from Fort Schuyler. XXXVII. De- 
feat of Colonel Baum, at Bennington. XXXVIII. Beneficial result of 
these fortunate Events. XXXIX. Battles on the Hudson, and Capture 
of Burgoyne. XL. Movements of Sir Henry Clinton, in the Highlands. 
XLI. Effect of the Capture of Burgoyne — at home and abroad. XLII. 
Congress refuse to execute the Articles of Capitulation— their reasons . 235 

CHAPTER XV. 

Campaign of 1778. I. Condition of the Army at the Valley Forge and at the 
commencement of the Campaign. II. British foraging excursions in New 
Jersey. III. Fortunate escape of an advance party under La Fayette. 

IV. Effect of the American successes abroad— Efforts of American Agents. 

V. Measures for Foreign Alliances— Duplicity of France— Treaties with 



CONTENTS. XI 

her. VI. War between Great Britain and France. VII. Opinions in 
Great Britain — Ministerial measures. VIII. Reception of those measures 
in America. IX. Arrival of a French Minister Plenipotentiary. X. The 
British Army evacuates Philadelphia — Marcli through Jersey. XI. Battle 
of Monmouth — British Army regains New^ York. XII. Arrival of the 
French Fleet — proceeds to Rhode Island. XIII. Attempt on Newport — 
Appearance of the English Fleet — French and English Fleets put to Sea 
— dispersed by Storm. XIV. British Incursions in Connecticut. XV. 
Disposition of the American Army. XVI. British Incursions into New 
Jersey. XVII. Movements of the adverse Fleets — Detachment against 
the Southern States. XVIII. American Army retires to winter quarters 
— Its improved condition. XIX. Indian devastations — Massacre at Wyo- 
ming. XX. Operations against the Indians. XXI. Discontent in the 
Jersey line. XXII. March of General Sullivan to the Indian country — 
Events there. XXIII. Expedition under Colonel Broadhead by the Alle- 

fheny River. XXIV. Expedition against the Cherokees under General 
ickens. XXV. Unprovoked Slaughter of the Indians at Muskingum . 262 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Comprising a View of the War in the South. I. Inert state of the Country in 
1779. II. The British Government adopts views of partial Conquest. 
HI. Georgia overrun — and Charleston threatened — Unsuccessful Siege of 
Savannah. IV. Sir Henry Clinton subdues South Carolina. V. His 
measures induce Revolt. VI. General Gates assumes command of the 
Southern Army — Battle of Camden. VII. Battle of King's Mountain. 
VIII. Cornwallis reinforced. IX. General Greene appointed to the 
Southern Department — Battle of the Cowpens — Retreat to Virginia. 
X. Cornwallis retires, is pursued — Battle of Guilford Court House. XI. 
Cornwallis marches for Petersburg — Greene for South Carolina — Expedi- 
tion of Arnold against Virginia — Preparations against him — Defence of 
Virginia entrusted to La Fayette — Cornwallis takes command of the Bri- 
tish Forces in Virginia. XII. Progress of Greene in recovering the South- 
ern States. XIII. Sufferings of the Inhabitants .... 285 

CHAPTER XVII. 

1. Condition of the Armies in the North. II. British Expedition against the 
Forts on the North River. III. Expedition under Tryon, against Connec- 
ticut. IV. Capture of Stony Point, by Wayne. V. Attack of the Bri- 
tish Post, on Penobscot river. — VI. Major Lee assaults Paules Hook. 
VII. Effects of the System of Paper Currency. VIII. Spain declares 
War against England. IX. Prospects of the Campaign of 1780. X. The 
American Army retires into winter quarters. XI. Marauding Parties of 
the Enemy in New Jersey. XII. The Army at Morristown supplied by 
forced levies of Provisions. XIII. Washington attempts the British Post 
at Staten Island XIV. Difficulties arising from the want of political 
power in Congress. XV. Discontents of the Aimy — Mutiny of the Con- 
necticut troops. XVI. Knyphausen invades New Jersey — Murder of 
Mrs. Caldwell, and of her Husband. XVII. Battle of Springfield. — 
XVIII. La Fayette returns to the United States. XIX. Renewed efforts 
for the Defence of the Country. XX. Arrival of the French Fleet and 
Army — Plans consequent thereon. XXI. Treason of Arnold. XXII. 
American Army retires into winter quarters. XXIII. European combina- 
tions against Great Britain. XXIV. Revolt of the Pennsylvania line — of 
the Jersey line — Discontent of the Inhabitants of New Jersey. XXV. 
Gloomy Prospect for the year 1781. XXVI. Combined Operations of the 
French Fleet and Allied Armies, against Cornwallis — His Capture. — 
XXVII. New London taken and burned by Arnold. XXVIII. Condition 
of the Country for the Campaign of 1782 — Resolutions of the British Par- 
liament in favour of Peace. XXIX. Malignity of the Tories — Murder of 
Captain Huddy. XXX. Cessation of Hostilities — Treaty of Peace. 
XXXI. Disbanding of the Army. XXXII. Public Entry of Washington 
to New York — takes leave of his Officers — Surrenders his Commission to 
Congress ......... 294 



XU CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Peculiar sufferings of tlic State of New Jersey from the War. II. Laws in 
New Jersey relative to the Militia. III. Council of Safety. IV. Mili- 
tary efforts of New Jersey. V. State Representatives in Congress. VI. 
Establishment of the New Jersey Gazette. VII. Unhappy Condition of 
the States after the return of Peace. VIII. Inefficiency of the Articles of 
Confederation — Part of New Jersey in their Adoption. IX. Measures pro- 
posed in Congress for maintaining Public Credit — Efforts of New Jersey 
upon this subject. X. She resorts to Paper Currency and Loan Office for 
Relief. XI. Difficulties with Great Britain relative to the Execution of 
the Treaty. XII. Measures for regulating the Trade of the Union — Re- 
sult in a Proposition for Revision of the Articles of Confederation. XIII. 
Adoption of the New Constitution — Ratified by New Jersey . . 320 



THE 



HISTORY OF ]VEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER I. 

Comprising Events from the Discovery by Europeans, to the Grant from Charles I. 
to James Duke of York. — I. Ancient and Modern Principles of Colonization. — 
II. Voyages of tlie Spaniards and Portuguese upon the East Coast of North Ame- 
rica. — III. Voyages of the Italians, Verrazano and the Cabots. — IV. First Eng- 
lish Attempts at Discovery. — V. Efforts of Raleigh to establish a Colony. — VI. 
Gosnold opens a new Road — London and Plymouth Companies created. — VII. 
Voyages and Discoveries of Hudson— VIII. Intercourse of the Dutch East In- 
dia Company with America, and Formation of the Amsterdam Licensed Tradino- 
West India Company. — IX. Settlement of the Puritans at Plymouth. — X. For- 
mation of the Great West India Company in Holland. — XI. Voyage and Pro- 
ceedings of Cornelius Jacobse Mey. — XII. Measures of the Company to promote 
Emigration; Purchases of large Tracts of Land from the Indians. — XIII. Voy- 
ages of De Vries ; Colony planted — The Delaware abandoned by the Dutch. — 
XlV. Minisink Settlements on the Delaware. — XV. Settlements of the Swedes 
on the Delaware — first Project of a Colony — first Colony — increase of Settlers. — 
XVI. Colonial Government established — Colonel Printz first Governor. — XVII. 
English Settlements upon the Delaware — prostrated by a united Force of Dutch 
and Swedes. — XVIII. Swedish Government under Printz and his Successors. — 
XIX. Swedish Colony subjected by the Dutch. — XX. Dutch Colonial Govern- 
ment on the Delaware — Possessions on the East of New Jersey. — XXI. Account 
of the English Settlements upon the Delaware previous to 1GG4 — under Patent 
from Lord Baltimore — under Grant to Sir Edward Ploeyden — by Traders from 
New Haven.— XXII. Plans of New England Settlers for Conquest of the Dutch 
Colonies. — XXIII. Duke of York's Charter from the Crown and Grant to Berkeley 
and Carteret. — XXIV. Conquest of New Netherlands, by Colonel Nicholls. — 
XXV. English Government established on the Delaware. — XXVI. Condition of 
New Netherlandts at the time of the Surrender. 

I. A distinction has frequently been taken between ancient and modern 
colonization ; ascribing the former to military, and the latter to commercial 
principles. But this classification does not embrace the various species of 
colonies, in present or past time. A more happy division of the subject 
would seem to be, into colonies founded by individuals, in their search of 
happiness ; and colonies planted by states, with a view to military or com- 
mercial purposes. By the first, our race was originally spread over the face 
of the globe. It has prevailed at all times, as well among the Egyptians, 
Athenians, and other ancient people, as among the moderns, who instituted 
the communities of the North American confederacy. The early Greek 
colonies, generally, sprung from the desire of the citizens to ameliorate their 
condition; and the immediate impulse was, excess of population, the ambition 
of chiefs, the love of liberty, or contagious and frequent maladies. The 
bonds of filiation connected the colony with the parent state; and the en- 
dearing names of daughter, sister and mother, sanctioned and preserved the 
alliances between them. But in the Grecian colonies of latter date, we trace 
commercial and political views. The Carthaginians, also, seem to have 
established colonies upon commercial principles ; and two treaties, recorded 
A 



2 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

by Polybius,* between them and the Romans, are in the true spirit of mo- 
dern colonial policy. On the other hand, the Roman colonies were mihtary 
establishments, designed to maintain or extend their conquests; and their 
agrarian allotments, to disbanded veterans and discontented and clamorous 
citizens, partook of the same character. Commercial motives seem rarely 
to have blended with the policy of these haughty conquerors. Such, also, 
in more recent days were the colonies of the Normans, in England, France, 
and the south of Europe ; of the English, in Ireland and Indostan ; of the 
Portuguese and Dutch in either India; and of a portion of the Spanish settle- 
ments in the New World. 

In general, the civil colonies of the ancients were independent of the au- 
thority of the parent state; though, necessarily, influenced by the ties of cha- 
rity which connected them with her. But, modern history, we believe, 
furnishes no instance of a colony independent in its inception; unless the 
short-lived religious communities of the Jesuits, in America, and of the Mo- 
ravians in the northern parts of both continents, be so considered. The co- 
lonies of the western hemisphere were, generally, commenced under the sanc- 
tion of, and in dependence upon, some European state. Even the ascetic 
Brownists, in their torpid settlement of New Plymouth, began their labours 
under the auspices of James I. of England; and though for some years, 
they were urmoticcd by the crown, they claimed and enjoyed the protection 
due to English subjects. 

The colonization of America was prompted and directed by various pas- 
sions. The Spaniards and Portuguese were inspired by visions of sudden 
wealth, by the love of that fame which chivalric adventure gave, and by an 
apostolic desire of spreading their religious faith among the heathen. The 
founders of states in the northern continent, were actuated by more sober, 
but not dissimilar views. Raleigh and his associates sought wealth and 
reputation, by extending the power and fame of their mistress and their 
country ; and the provincial proprietaries, holders of large grants from the 
crown, were excited by ambition and avarice ; which in Calvert and Penn, 
at least, were blended with a noble philanthropy, delighting to assure reli- 
gious and civil liberty to their associates and their successors. The sub- 
grantees and settlers who subdued the wilderness, came with great diversity 
of purpose. Many fled from religious, some, from political persecution ; but, 
the larger portion was induced by that well founded hope of ameliorating the 
condition of themselves and their posterity, which flowed from the unrestrict- 
ed possession of a rich and virgin soil, in whose fruits they were protected, 
against lawful and lawless violence. The religious instruction of the savage 
is a condition of every royal grant ; and afforded to the grantor, doubtless, a 
full extenuation of the injustice of invasion. The extensive grant of Charles 
II. to his brother, of York, was moved by political causes, and designed, 
probably, also, to reward the services of others, which he could not, in a 
different manner, acknowledge. The immediate grantees of the Duke, were 
wise enough to see, that their interest lay in the adoption of the most libe- 
ral principles of political association, which circumstances would permit ; and 
these circumstances were most fovorable, to civil and religious liberty. 

The period in which the foundations of the Anglo-American colonies were 
laid, was rifo with events, which sowed the indestructible seeds, and reared 
into strength the scions of human liberty. The integrity and infallibility of 
clerical power, had been shaken to pieces by Luther and Calvin; and the 
divinity of kings had expired with the unhappy Charles. The religious 
contests, and the transition of power from one relio-ious sect to another, 

* Lib. iii. c. 22. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 3 

had taught to Catholic and Protestant, the advantages, if not the necessity, 
of religious toleration. Letters, the cause and power of religious freedom, 
had been equally serviceable to civil liberty; and the great truth which, for 
ages, had laid buried in the ruins of civilization, beneath sacerdotal palaces 
and prisons, and the gothic gorgeousness of the feudal system, — the great 
truth, that political power belonged to, and was made for, the people, 
had been rediscovered — was proclaimed abroad, and had become generally 
understood among men — among Englishmen. That truth had wrenched 
the scepti-e from the grasp of an obstinate and bigoted despot, and borne 
him to the block — had overthrown a monarchy and created a republic ; and 
because of the abuse of republican forms, had again established a throne. 
Religious and political freedom were in England terms as familiar as house- 
hold words, and enforced, even from the hate of her princes, the most pro- 
found respect. 

It was vain, therefore, to think of the formation of new political societies, 
without adverting to, and securing these great essentials. Kings and pro- 
prietaries, who would establish colonies, were compelled to stipulate for 
religious toleration, and legislative power in the people. Hence, the first 
Charles, who abominated a parliament, required the proprietary, Calvert, 
to obtain all subsidies, by the assent of the people — hence, the second 
Charles introduced the same principle, in the grant of Pennsylvania — hence, 
they, and the Carterets, and the Berkeleys, and the minor Proprietaries, were 
compelled to their liberal charters. All were results of improvement in 
the moral condition of our species, which individuals might promote, but 
could scarce retard. We are guilty, therefore, of the worst species of idola- 
try — of man-worship, when we give to individuals the praise of creating 
measures, of which they could only be the servants. Our plaudits for their 
concurrence in the good work, are, however, due ; and should be frankly and 
fully paid, as the just incentive to virtuous actions. 

In this spirit, we adopt the expressions of a late writer upon colonial 
history: — "A North American may feel grateful exultation in avowing 
himself the native of no ignoble land — but of a land which has yielded as 
great an increase of glory to God, and happiness to man, as any other por- 
tion of the world, since the first syllable of recorded time, has had the 
honour of producing. A nobler model of human character could hardly be 
proposed to the inhabitants of the North American States, than that which 
their own early history supplies. It is, at once, their interest and their honour, 
to preserve with sacred care, a model so richly fraught, with the instructions 
of wisdom and the incitements of duty."* 

No portion of the history of this great country is more filled with cause 
for this " grateful exultation," than the State of New Jersey — none can 
boast greater purity in its origin — none more wisdom, more happiness 
in its growth. To develope her unpretending, but instructive story, is the 
object of the following pages ; in which, however, we must, necessarily, blend 
a portion of that of the adjacent states, which for half a century were identi- 
fied with her. 

II. Soon after the discovery of America, by Columbus, the Spaniards and 
Portuguese explored the northern Atlantic coast, as high as Labrador; to 
which, the latter gave its present name. As they approached by the West 
Indies, they may have visited the shores of the Delaware and Hudson rivers; 
but possessed of the fine climates, and richer countries of the south, they had 
no inducement to make permanent settlements in regions less attractive. 
Floi'ida was occupied by the Spaniards, in 1512; and its boundaries, as 

* Grahame's History of the American Colonies. 



4 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

given by the charter of Philip II. to Menendez, extended from Newfoundland 
to the 22d degree of northern latitude. 

III. To the genius of the Italian navigators, the world is deeply indebted, 
as well for the early exploration, as for the discovery, of America. John de 
Verrazano, and the enterprising and skilful Cabots, were the worthy succes-' 
sors of Columbus and Americus Vcspucius. Verrazano, whilst in the ser- 
vice of Francis I. of France, visited, it is supposed, the bay of New York.* 
It is certain, that, in 1523, he coasted the American continent, from the 30th 
to the 50th degree of north latitude, landing and communicating with the 
natives in several places; and that by virtue of discoveries made by him, 
and some French navigators, Henry IV. gave to Des Monts, the lands lying 
between the 40th and 46th degrees of north latitude.f The loss of Verra- 
zano, with his vessel and crew, on a subsequent voyage, (1524) procrasti- 
nated, for ten years, the eflbrts of the French to establish colonies in Ame- 
rica. The voyages and discoveries of Quartier, in 1535, directed their atten- 
tion, particularly, to the shores of the bay and river of St. Lawrence. 

IV. Under the patronage of Henry VII. of England, Sebastian Cabot dis- 
covered the islands of Newfoundland and St. Johns, and explored the coast 
of the continent, from the 38th to the 67th degree of north latitude.:}: But no 
fruit was, immediately, derived from his labours. During the reigns of the 
voluptuary, Henry VIII., of his son, Edward VI., and daughter, the bigoted 
Mary, no etTort was made to prosecute these interesting discoveries. It was 
reserved for the maritime enterprise of Elizabeth's reign, to give to the 
English nation a fuller knowledge of the new world, and a proper sense of 
the advantages which might be drawn from it. Encouraged by the Earl of 
Warwick, Martin Frobisher, in three successive voyages, visited the shores 
of Labrador and Greenland. § Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in 1580, made two 
unsuccessful attempts to establish a colony in North America, in the last of 
which, he perished. 

V. But the fate of Gilbert did not deter his half-brother. Sir Walter 
Raleigh, alike distinguished for his genius and courage, from pursuing the 
same object ; which, indeed, had taken strong hold of the affections of the 
principal men of the kingdom. He formed a company, under a charter, 
obtained from the queen, || granting them all the lands they should discover 
between the 33d and 40th degrees of north latitude. Two vessels despatch- 
ed by them, under captains Armidas and Barlow,** visited Pamptico Sound, 
and Roanoke Bay ; and on their return, reported so favourably of the beauty 
and fertility of the country, that the company were excited to new exertions; 
and Elizabeth gave, to the newly discovered region, the name of Virginia, as 
a memorial that it was discovered in the reign of a virgin queen. But the 
subsequent efforts of this company proved abortive. A colony was, indeed, 
planted at Roanoke, in 1585; but, having been reduced to distress by the 
delay of supplies, they returned to Europe, in the following year, with Sir 
Francis Drake ; who touched at their island on his way home, from a suc- 
cessful cruise against the Spaniards. Undiscouraged by this ill success, 
Raleigh despatched another colony to the same place, under the direction of 
captain John White,"|"f which perished by famine, or the sword of the natives ; 
having been deprived, by the preparations of the Spaniards, for invading 
England, of the succour which White had returned to seek. 

* Dr. Miller's Discourse, 1 vol.— N. Y. Historical Collection. 

t 2 Hackluyt's, 1. N. Y. Historical Collection. Williamson's History of North 
Carolina, vol. i. 1.^. Moulton's History of New York, vol. i. 134. 

t 1498. A Mr. Hare is said to have followed Cabot, and to have brought to Henry 
VIII, some Indians from North America. 

§ In 1576, 1577, 1.578. || 26th March, 1584. ** Sailed, 27th April, returned, 

15th September, 1584. tf March, 151)0. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 5 

VI. Between the years 1590 and 1603, the English do not appear to have 
made any voyage for the purpose of settlement. In the latter year, Bartho- 
lomew Gosnold, abandoning the circuitous route hitherto pursued by all navi- 
gators, discovered, by steering due west, a more direct course to the northern 
continent. He visited, and gave names to Cape Cod, and the islands of 
Ehzabeth, and Martha's Vineyard ; and taught his countrymen, that there 
were many attractions, far north of the lands they had attempted to colonize. 
His favourable reports, at first disbelieved, were confirmed by persons who 
sailed, thither, in the service of some merchants of Bristol, the Earl of South- 
ampton, and Lord Arundel, of Wardour. By the zeal of Richard Hackluyt, 
prebendary of Westminster, to whom England was more indebted than to 
any man of his age, for her American possessions, an association, em- 
bracing men of rank and men of business, was formed, with a view to 
colonization.* 

To this company, James I., on the 10th of April, 1606, granted letters 
patent, dividing that portion of the continent which stretches from the 34th 
to the 46th degrees of north latitude, into two, nearly equal, districts. The 
one, called the first, or south colony of Virginia, was allotted to Sir Thomas 
Gates, Richard Hackluyt, and their associates, mostly residents of London ; 
the othei', to sundry knights, gentlemen and merchants, of Bristol, Plymouth, 
and other parts of the west of England. Each company was empowered to 
appi'opriate to itself, fifty miles each way, along the coast, from the point of 
its settlement, and one hundred miles of interior extent. From the places at 
which the colonial councils were respectively established, were derived the 
titles of the London and Plymouth Colonies. f 

Under this and another charter, to the Plymouth company, given in 1620, 
whose provisions were not the most friendly to political freedom, nor the 
best adapted to promote the objects for which they were designed, the per- 
manent settlement of Virginia and New England was commenced and pro- 
secuted. It forms, however, no part of our present plan, to trace the various 
fortune which attended their growth, from weak and sickly plants, to deep- 
rooted and umbrageous trees. 

VII. The hope of discovering a north-west passage from Europe to Asia, 
which no disappointment seems to have power to extinguish, was the motive 
of several voyages made by Henry Hudson, a distinguished English mariner. 
In his third voyage, failing to open a northern route, he explored the eastern 
coast of America, with the view of determining, whether a passage, to the 
Pacific Ocean, might not be found through the continent.:): He ran down the 
coast, from Newfoundland, to 35° 41', northern latitude; and returning by 
the same course, entered the Delaware bay, on the 28th of August, 1609, — 
but finding the water shoal, and the channel impeded by bars of sand, he 
did not venture to explore it. Following the eastern shore of New Jersey, 
he anchored his ship, the Half-Moon, on the 3d of September, within Sandy 
Hook. He spent a week in examining the neighbouring shores, and in 
communication with the natives ; during which, one of his seamen, named 
John Coleman, was killed. The boat in which he and several others had 
passed the Kills, between Bergen Neck and Staten Island, being attacked by 
two canoes, carrying twenty-six Indians, the unfortunate sailor was shot, by 
an arrow, through the throat. Thus it would seem, that in the intercourse 

* 2 Purchas, 5. Belknap's American Biography. — N. A. R., (new series) vol. vi. 
p. 36. 

t Modern Universal History, vol. xxx. Hazard's State Papers, 1. Stith, Beverly, 
Robertson. 

t Voyages undertaken by the Dutch East India Company. Hudson's Journal. 
Purchas, 1— N. Y. Hist. Col. 81, 162. 



6 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

between the European and Indian, in this part of America, the Indian 
committed the first homicide. The sliores of the Delaware and Raritan 
bays were, probably, the first lands of the .middle States trodden by Eu- 
ropean feet. 

On the 12th of September, Hudson entered New York Bay, through the 
Narrows. He spent the time between that day and the 19th of the same 
month, in exploring the North river.* He ascended, with his ship, as high 
as the spot where the city of Albany now stands; and his boat proceeded to 
the sites of Waterford and Lansingburg. The decreasing volume of the 
stream, and the shoals which obstructed his further way, depriving him of 
all hope of reaching the Pacific Ocean by this route, he prepared to retrace 
his steps. Commencing his return on the 22d of September, he slowly de- 
scended the river, and on the 4th day of October, put to sea. He reached 
England on the 7th of November, 1609. His vessel, and part of the crew, 
returned to Holland ; but the jealousy of the king, James the First, forbade 
him, and his English sailors, to revisit that country.f 

In the following year, Hudson re-entered the service of the London com- 
pany, in which he had made his two first northern voyages; designing to 
seek again, a north-west passage, through Davis' Straits ; but his crew 
mutinied, and abandoned him, his only son, and some half-dozen of his 
men, who continued faithful, to perish amid the fields of ice, in the vicinity of 
the bay which bears his name.:}: 

Whilst in the North river, Hudson had much intercourse with the natives. 
Near the coast, they were fierce and inimical — at a distance from the sea, 
mild and hospitable. But the superior power of the Europeans was exer- 
cised upon friend and foe without mercy. Of the former, one was shot to 
death, for a petty theft — and of the latter, nine were more deservedly slain, 
in an attack which they made upon the vessel. The first visit of the white 
man, therefore, to the shores of the Hudson, was signaHzed by the violent 
death of ten of the aboriginal inhabitants. 

VIII. The Dutch East India Company, although disappointed in the 
main design of Hudson's voyage, found in the fur trade he had opened, suf- 
ficient inducement to cherish commercial intercourse with the Americans. 
A second voyage, under their authority, in 1610, proving successful, was 
repeated ; but the competition of private adventurers reducing their profits, 
they endeavoured to monopolize the trade, by a decree of the States-Gene- 
ral, granting to all persons who had discovered, or might discover, any bays, 
rivers, harbours, or countries before unknown, the right, beside other ad- 
vantages, to the exclusive trade therein, for four successive voyages. § Under 
this edict the Amsterdam Licensed Trading West India Company was 
formed; proposing to maintain the acquisitions on the Hudson and to explore 
the circumjacent country. 

In the service of this company, Adrian Blok and Hendrick Christianse 
sailed in the year 1614. Blok arrived first at Mannahatlan, where, his ship 
having been accidentally burned, he built a small vessel, M'ith which he 
passed into Long Island Sound. He fell in with Christianse near Cape Cod. 
Together, they discovered Rhode Island and Connecticut river; and proceed- 
ing to Mannahattan Bay, they erected a fort on Castle Island, and four dwell- 
ings on the Greater Island. In the preceding year, a small trading house 
was built upon an island below Albany; and in the following, a redoubt was 
thrown up on the right bank of the river, probably, at the present Jersey City 

* Hudson's Journal. See Note (A.) — Appendix. 

t Lambrechsten, Moulton. Ebeling. | June 21, IGll. 

§ De Laet, March 27, 1614; or as it is said 1611, 1612. Moulton, 340. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 7 

Point.* The most important event of this period, however, was the alliance 
by formal treaty, between the Dutch and the Five Nation confederacy of In- 
dians ; at the execution of which, it is supposed, the Lenape tribes were also 
present, and by the united instances of the Dutch and Iroquois, consented to 
the fatal assumption of the character of the ivoman, in the manner we shall 
narrate hereafter.f 

The Hollanders, directing their efforts at colonization, to their Asiatic, 
African and South American possessions, and restrained, perhaps, by the 
claim of the English, to the greater part of North America, had hitherto made 
little effort to people the shores of the Hudson. It has been asserted, how- 
ever, that between the years 1617 and 1620, settlements were made at Ber- 
gen, in New Jersey, in the vicinage of the Esopus Indians, and at Schenec- 
tady ; and it would seem, that Sir Thomas Dale and Sir Samuel Argal, 
in the year 1614, returning from an expedition against the French at 
Acadie, visited Mannahattan, and compelled the Dutch to acknowledge the 
English title, and to contribute to the payment of the expenses of their 
voyage. It would further seem, from the authorities cited in the margin, 
but which should be received with some allowance, that in 1620, the Dutch 
West Indian Company, upon application to James the First, of England, 
obtained le'ave to build some cottages upon the Hudson river, for the con- 
venience of the ships, touching there for fresh water and provisions, in 
their voyage to Brazil ; under colour of which license, the company esta- 
blished a colony; and that, upon complaint to Charles I. of these proceed- 
ings, he remonstrated with the States-General, who disowned the acts of the 
company.:}: 

IX. But, although the Dutch did not immediately, themselves, colonize the 
New Netherlands, (the name given to the country Irom the Delaware Bay to 
Cape Cod,) they were well disposed to aid others in such design ; encourao-ino- 
the Puritans, who, under the care of the Rev. John Robinson, had fled to the 
low countries from England, to seek a safe and more commodious asylum in 
the New World; notwithstanding these sectarians avowed an intention to 
preserve their national character, and to hold the title for the lands they 
should inhabit, in dependence on the English government. This germ of 
the Plymouth colony, planted in 1620, was designed for the country between 
New York Bay and the western line of Connecticut. But the season at 
which the adventurers arrived on the coast, adverse winds and currents, with 
the discovery of a portion of the country, whence the aborigines had been 
lately swept, providentially, as the pilgrims supposed, by pestilence, induced 
them to land at a place, they termed Plymouth. § The allegation, therefore, 
that Capt. Jones, with whom they sailed, had faithlessly, in consequence of 
a bribe from the Dutch, landed them at a distance from the Hudson, is not 
entitled to credence. 

X. In 1621 the great West India Company was formed in Holland, and 
endowed with the wealth and power of the States-General. The Licensed 
Trading Company which had hitherto conducted commercial operations in 
the Hudson, confining themselves to one river and a small portion of the 
coast, was merged in the new company, to whom we may properly ascribe 
the first efforts of the Dutch to plant colonies in North America. || 

They immediately despatched a number of settlers duly provided with the 
means of subsistence, trade, and defence, under the command of Cornelius 

* De Laet, Moulton. t Heckewelder. 

t Beauchanip Plantagenet's description of New Albion — Moulton — British Empire 
in America — Ogilby's America — Elizabethtown Bill in Chancery. 
§ Robertson. Dudley's letter. Moulton. 
II See charter of this company in Hazard's Col. 



8 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Jacobse Mey ; who, with more enterprise and industry than his predecessoiv, 
visited the coast from Cape Cod to the Delaware river, where he proposed to 
cstabhsh his own residence. He called the bay of New York, Port May ; 
that of the Delaware, New Port May ; its northern cape, Cape May ; and its 
southern. Cape Cornelius. He built Fort Nassau at Techaacho, upon Sas- 
sackon, now Timber Creek, which empties into the Delaware, a few miles 
below the city of Camden. During the same year the forts New Amsterdam 
and Orange, were also erected upon the sites, of the now great cities, of New 
York and Albany. 

The administration of the affairs of New Netherlands, was committed to 
Peter Minuit; with whom came a colony of Walloons, who settled, 1624-5, 
at the Walbocht, a bend of the Long Island shore, opposite to New Amster- 
dam. In 1626, Minuit opened a friendly and commercial intercourse with 
the Plymouth pilgrims ; and prosecuted the fur trade with great advantage 
to the company. 

XII. In 1629 the West India Company endeavoured to excite individual 
enterprise, to colonize the country ; granting by charter to the patroon or 
founder of a settlement, exclusive property, in large tracts of land, with ex- 
tensive manorial and seignorial rights.* Thus encouraged, several of the 
directors, for whose use, probably, the charter was designed, among whom 
Goodyn, Bloemart, Pauuw and Van Renselaer were most distinguished, 
resolved to make large territorial acquisitions ; and they sent out Wooter Van 
Twiller, of Niewer Kerck, a clerk of the Amsterdam department, of the com- 
pany, to assume the management of its public affairs, and to select lands for 
the individual directors. 

One of the three ships which came over in 1629, visited an Indian village 
on the south-west corner of Delawai'e Bay ; and the agents on board, pur- 
chased from the three chiefs of the resident tribe, in behalf of the Herr 
Goodyn, a tract of land, extending from Cape Henloop, in length thirty- 
two, and breadth two, English miles. In the succeeding year, several other 
extensive tracts were purchased; for Goodyn and Bloemai't, of nine Indian 
chiefs, sixteen miles square, on the peninsula of Cape May ; for the director 
Pauuw, Staten Island, and a large plat on the western side of the Hudson, 
in the neighbourhood of Hoboken ; and for Van Renselaer, a considerable 
territory, along the Hudson, in the vicinity of Fort Orange. f The impolicy 
of these great and exclusive appropriations was, subsequently, discovered 
and condemned ; and their ratification seems to have been obtained, only, by 
admitting other directors to participate in them. 

XIII. In prosecution of their plans, these directors formed an association, 
to which they admitted, on equal terms, David Pieterson de Vries, an expe- 
rienced and enterprising navigator. Their immediate object was to colonize 
th'e Delaware river, to plant tobacco and grain, and to establish a whale and 
seal fishery. The command of the vessel appointed to carry out the colo- 
nists was given to De Vries; who left the Texel on the 12th Dec. 1630, and 
arrived in the Delaware bay in the course of the winter. The country was 
deserted by the Europeans, who had preceded him. Fort Nassau was in 
possession of the Indians ; Captain Mey having left it, bearing with him the 
affectionate regrets of the natives, who long cherished his memory. De 
Vries selected a spot for his settlement, on Lewis Creek, called by the Dutch, 
on account of the prostitution of the Indian women here, Hoornekill ; where, 
unimpeded by the season, which was uncommonly mild, he erected a trading 

* See the charter in Moulton's History of New York. 

t See Moulton's History of New York. The territory of Goodyn was denominated 
Swanwendael; tliat of Pauuw, Pavonia; and that of Van Renselaer, Renselaerwick. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 9 

house and fort, giving it the name of Oplandt. The whole plantation, within 
Goodyn's purchase, extended to the Little Tree Corner or Boompjes' Hoek.* 

Returning to Holland, he committed his infant colony to the care of one 
Giles Osset; who, in evidence of the claim and possession of the Dutch, set 
up the arms of the States-General, painted on tin, upon a column, in some 
conspicuous station. An Indian, ignorant of the object of this exhibition, 
appropriated the honoured symbol to his own use. The folly of the com- 
mandant construed the trespass into a grievous national insult, and he be- 
came so importunate for redress, that the harassed and perplexed tribe 
brought him the head of the offender. This was a result which Osset had 
neither wished nor foreseen, and he should justly have dreaded its conse- 
quences. In vain he reprehended the severity of the Indians, and assured 
them that had they brought the delinquent to him, he would have suffered a 
reprimand only. Though the death of the culprit had been doomed and 
executed by his own tribe, they beheld its cause in the exaction of the 
strangers, and with the vindictivcness of their character, sought a dire retri- 
butiozi. At a season when the greater part of the garrison was engaged in 
field labour, distant from the fort, the Indians entered it, under the pretence 
of trade, and murdered the unsuspicious Osset with the single sentinel who 
attended him. Thence, proceeding to the fields, they massacred every other 
colonist, whilst tendering to them the usual friendly salutations. This con- 
duct, with its extenuating circumstances, as related by the aborigines them- 
selves to De Vries, is sufficiently atrocious ; but it is highly probable, that 
the desire of the white man's wealth was as powerful a stimulant to violence 
as the thirst for vengeance. 

In December, 1632, De Vries returned from Holland, to mourn over the 
unburied bodies of his friends, and the ashes of their dwelling. Attracted by 
the firing of cannon, the savages approached his vessel with guilty hesitation ; 
but at length, summoned courage to venture on board, and to detail the cir- 
cumstances we have narrated. The object which De Vries had in view, led 
him to seek reconciliation ; and he was compelled to pardon, where he could 
not safely punish. He formed a new treaty with the Indians ; and in order 
to obtain provisions, ascended the river above Fort Nassau, where he nar- 
rowly escaped from the perfidy of the natives. Pretending to comply with 
his request, they directed him to enter Timmerkill or Cooper's Creek, which 
furnished a convenient place for attack ; but, the interposition of an Indian 
woman, so often recorded in favour of the whites, saved him from destruc- 
tion. She warned him of the design of her countrymen, and that a crew of 
a vessel (supposed from Virginia) had been there murdered. In the mean 
time, Fort Nassau was filled with savages, and on the return of De Vries, 
forty boarded his vessel, whom he compelled to retreat; declaring that the 
Manitou or Great Spirit, had revealed their wickedness. But, subsequently, 
with the humane and pacific policy which distinguished him, he consented to 
their wishes of forming a treaty of amity ; which they confirmed with cus- 
tomary presents, declining his gifls, however, saying, that they did not now 
give with the view of a return. f Disappointed in obtaining provisions, De 
Vries, leaving part of his crew in the bay, proceeded to Virginia ; M'here, as 
the first visiter from New Netherlands, he was kindly received and his wants 
supplied. Upon his return to the Delaware, finding the whale fishery un- 
successful, he hastened his departure, and with the other colonists proceeded 
to Holland, by the way of Fort Amsterdam. Thus, at the expiration of 



* Corrupted into Bombay Hook. De Vries, Moulton. 
f De Vries' Journal. Moulton. 



10 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

twenty-five years from the discovery of the Delaware Bay, by Hudson, not 

a single European remained upon its shores. 

XIV. It is possil)le, however, that the Minisink settlements on the river, 
above the Blue Mountain, were made at or near this period. They extend 
forty miles on both sides of the river, and the tradition, as rendered by 
Nicholas Depuis, a descendant of an original settler is ; " That, in some for- 
" mer age, there came a company of miners from Holland, supposed to have 
" been rich and great people, from the labour they bestowed in opening two 
" mines — one on the Delaware, where the mountain nearly approaches the 
" lower point of Pahaquarry Flat, the other, at the north foot of some moun- 
" tain, half-way between Delaware and Esopus; and in making the mine 
" road from Delaware to Esopus, a distance of one hundred miles : That 
" large quantities of ore had been drawn upon this road, but of what metal, 
" was unknown to the present inhabitants : That, subsequently, settlers 
" came to the Minisinks from Holland, to seek an asylum from religious per- 
" secution, being Arminians : That they followed the mine road to the large 
" flats, on the Delaware, where the smooth cleared land, and abundance of 
" large apple trees, suited their views, and they purchased the improvements 
" of the Indians, most of whom, then, removed to the Susquehanna: And that 
" the new settlers maintained peace and friendship with such as remained, 
" until the year 1755."* These settlements at the Minisinks were unknown 
to the government of Pennsylvania until 1729. 

XV. It has been affirmed that the Swedes established a colony on the 
Delaware, in the year 1627, or 1631. This is an error, arising from the 
historian having mistaken the will for the deed; inferring that a colony had 
been established, immediately after the proposition for forming it, had been 
published in Sweden. The design had, indeed, been fondly encouraged by 
Gustavus Adolphus, but was not effected during his life. This prince fell at 
Lutzen, in 1632 ; and several years elapsed, before the ministers of his 
daughter, Christina, gave encouragement to the enterprise. The success of 
the Dutch West India Company had excited the Swedes to form a similar 
association, whose operations should extend to Asia, Africa, and America; — 
and William Usselinx, or Uaseling, a Hollander, who had been connected 
with the Dutch company, obtained the consent of Gustavus, to this measure."!" 
Designing to plant a colony on the Delaware, he prepared and published 
articles of Association for that pui-pose, accompanied with a description of 
the fertility of the soil, and the commercial advantages of the country. The 
king, by proclamation, exhorted his subjects to unite with the company ,:j: 
and recommended its plan to a diet of the States, by whom it was confirmed.^ 
Persons of every rank, from the king to the hind, engaged in the scheme. 
An admiral, vice admiral, merchants, assistants, commissaries, and a mili- 
tary force, were appointed, and the association received the name of the 
South Company; — but the intervention of a German wai', suspended its 
operations. |1 

From 1633 to 1637, no effort was made by any European power, to peo- 
ple the banks of the Delaware, unless during this period, Sir Edward Ploey- 
den, commenced his ephemeral palatinate of New Albion. It is probable, 
however, that the Dutch visited the river, with a view to trade, and, occa- 
sionally, spent some time at Fort Nassau. That, they vigilantly observed 
the approach of other nations to these shores, is obvious, from the prompti- 

* Letters of Samuel Preston, of Stockport, June 6th, and 14th, 1828, published in 
the Register of Pennsylvania, Vol. i. No. 28.— July 12, 1828. 

t 21st December, 1624. X July, 1626. § 1627. || Campanius, Aurelius, 

Molten. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 11 

tude of their remonstrances against the subsequent attempts of the English 
and Swedes. 

The Swedish project, so far as it relates to colonization on the Delaware, 
was, at length, revived by the Dutch ex-governor, Minuit, (who had been 
superseded by Vouter van Twiller,) under the immediate authority of the 
Swedish government. In 1637 or 1638, an expedition, consisting of the 
Key of Caiman, a ship of war, and a transport named the Bird Grip, 
(Gryphon) carrying a clergyman, an engineer, and many settlers, with 
necessary provisions, and mei-chandise for trade with the Indians, sailed 
under Minuit's command.* The emigrants landed at Inlopen, the inner 
cape on the western shore of the Delaware bay, to which they gave the name 
of Paradise Point — more, we must conjecture, from the pleasant emotions 
caused by the sight of any land, after a long sea-voyage, than from the 
beauty or fertility of the spot. They opened communications with the 
natives, on the bay and river, and purchased the soil, on the western 
shore, from the capes, to the falls at Sanhikans, below the present city of 
Trenton. 

Soon after, in 1638, they laid the foundation of the town and fort of 
Christina, on a site called by the natives Hopohaccan, north of the Minquas, 
or Suspecough creek, and a short distance above its mouth.f Not a ves- 
tige of this fort or town remains ; but a plan of both, drawn by the engineer, 
Lindstrom, has been preserved by Campanius. In 1747, during the war of 
England against France and Spain, a redoubt was thrown up at this spot; 
and at the distance of three feet below the surface, a Swedish coin of Chris- 
tina was found, among axes, shovels, and other implements.:]: 

The author of Bescryvinge van Netherlands, asserts, that Minuit entered 
the Delaware, under pretence of procuring refreshment, on his way to the 
West Indies, but betrayed the deception, by erecting this fort. The Dutch 
soon discovered the intrusion ; and Kieft, who, about this time had succeeded 
Van Twiller, as governor of New York, remonstrated with Minuit, by letter, 
dated. May 6th, 1638 ; asserting, that the whole South river of New Nether- 
lands, had been in possession of the Dutch, for many years, above and below 
Christina — had been studded by forts, and sealed with their blood. This 
remonstrance was unreasonable and unwarrantable, if, as Campanius asserts, 
the Swedes had, in 1631, purchased the right of the Dutch. The allegation 
of purchase, may have induced forbearance on the part of the Dutch au- 
thorities, but did not deter them from erecting a fort soon after, at the 
Hoarkills. 

During the year 1640, several companies of emigrants departed from 
Sweden, for the new world. Among the documents obtained from the 
Swedish records, by Mr. Russel, minister from the United States, at Stock- 
holm, we find, dated, January 24th, 1640, a passport to captain Jacob Pow- 
elson, for a vessel under his command, named Fredenburg, laden with men, 
cattle, and other things, necessary for the cultivation of the country, depart- 
ing from Holland to America, or the West Indies, and there establishing 
himself in the country called New Sweden. Two others were issued in 
blank, for other captains and their vessels. We learn, also, from a letter of 
the same date, addressed by the Swedish ministers to the commandant, or 
commissary, and other inhabitants of Fort Christina, in New Sweden, that 
permission had been granted to Gothbert de Rehden, William de Horst, 
and Fenland, and those interested with them, to send out and establish a 

* Bescryvinge van Virginie, De Laet, Acrelius. 

t Swedish MSS. Records, communicated by the Rev. Nicholas Collin. 

X Kalm's Travels. 



12 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

colony on the north side of the South river. In a charter, or grant and 
privilege, as it is termed, of the same date, to this company, the name of 
Henry Hochhanmer, is substituted for that of Lieutenant Horst. From this 
instrument we derive the Swedish principles of colonization. An indefinite 
quantity of land is given to the company — at least four German miles, 
(about 15 English) from Fort Christina, in allodial and hereditary property; 
they paying to the crown of Sweden, three florins of the empire, for each 
family established upon their territory. The company is empowered to 
exercise, within their district, high and low justice ; to found cities and vil- 
lages, and communities, with a certain police, statutes and ordinances — to 
appoint magistrates and officers, and to take the title and arms of a province 
or colony ; conforming themselves, in the use of these rights, to the principles 
directing the ordinary justice of fiefs. Reservation is made of full sove- 
reignty to the crown ; and, especially, of appeals to it, and the governors 
established by it, whose approbation was necessary to all statutes and ordi- 
nances. Besides the Augsburg confession of faith, the exercise of the '■'■pre- 
tended reformed'''' religion was permitted, in such manner, however, that those 
who professed either, should live in peace, abstaining from every useless 
dispute, from all scandal, and from all abuse. But the patrons of the colony 
were obliged, at all times, to maintain as many ministers and schoolmasters 
as the number of inhabitants should require ; and to choose for this purpose, 
persons who had at heart, the conversion of the pagan inhabitants, to Chris- 
tianity. 

Permission was given to the colonists to engage in every species of manu- 
facture and commerce, in and out of the country ; in vessels, however, which 
should be built in New Sweden. Gottenburg was made the depot for all 
merchandise transported to Europe; but merchants were not required to 
pass the Sound, when destined to some other part of Sweden. Entrance to 
foreign ports, however, was prohibited, unless in case of necessity ; and even 
in such case, merchants were required to repair to Gottenburg, to account 
for such entry, and to pay duty on merchandise, they might have sold else- 
where ; and to equip their vessels anew. The colonists were exempted, for 
ten successive years, from every species of impost; but, after that period, 
were required to pay, in New Sweden, a duty of five per cent, on all im- 
ports, and exports, and such further charges as the expenses of government, 
there, might require. The discoverer of minerals, precious stones, coral, 
crystal, marble, a pearl fishery, means for making salt, or other like things, 
was permitted the unrestricted use thereof, for ten years, and to enjoy, sub- 
sequently, a preferable right to possession, under an annual rent. Pro- 
tection was promised to the colonies, in consideration whereof, fealty and 
allegiance were exacted. But the government expressed the desire, that the 
colonists and their posterity might be always exempt from enrolments and 
compulsory military service. Confiscation of property was prohibited: and 
fines, whatever might be the offence, were limited to forty rix-doUars ; every 
other species of punishment, according to the quality of the offence, was re- 
served to the crown. And as the patrons of the colony designed, in a k^fr 
years, to transport other and more considerable colonies, liberty was given to 
ship, directly from Holland, whatever they might require. 

Whilst the arrangements for this colony were in progress, due care was 
had, by the ministry of Sweden, for the scion they had already planted. One 
Jost de Bogardt was nominated, rather as an agent and superintendent of 
the colony of Christina, than as governor. He engaged, by an obligation, 
called the counterpart of his commission, to be faithful and subject to her 
majesty ; " and not only to aid, by his counsel and actions, the persons who 
are at Fort Christina, and those who may be afterwards sent there from 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 13 

Sweden, but to employ his exertions to procure, as occasion may present, 
whatever will be most advantageous to her Majesty and the crown of Swe- 
den; and, moreover, not to suffer an opportunity to pass of sending infor- 
mation to Sweden, which may be useful to her Majesty and the crown." 
The reward of these services was stipulated to be two hundred rix-doUars 
per annum. 

XVI. The country, which had been settled, appears to have been pur- 
chased, chiefly, by an association called the Navigation Company, who, en- 
joying the soil, submitted to the political direction of the crown. John Printz, 
a colonel of cavalry in the Swedish service, was appointed governor. His 
commission bears date August 16, 1646. His instructions charge him to 
preserve amity, good neighbourhood, and correspondence with foreigners, 
with those who depend on his government, and with the natives of the coun- 
try ; to render justice without distinction, so that there shall be injury to no 
one ; and if any person behave himself grossly, to punish him in a conve- 
nient manner; and as regards the cultivation of the country, in a liberal 
manner to regulate and continue it, so that the inhabitants may derive from 
it, their honest support, and even, that, commerce may receive from it a sen- 
sible increase. As to himself, he was required so to conduct in his govern- 
ment, as to be willing and able, faithfully, to answer for it before God, be- 
fore the Queen and every brave Swede, regulating himself by the instruc- 
tions given to him. These instructions, remarkable for their simplicity, re- 
mind us of the patriarchal era, to which the state of New Sweden, had some 
resemblance. The salary assured to the governor, was 1200 rix-dollars 
per annum; a portion of which, at least, was imposed on the colony in 
a tariff of compensations, which gave to the governor 800 rix-dollars; 
(half from excise and half in silver;) to a lieutenant governor, sixteen 
dollars per month; a sergeant major ten, a corporal six, a gunner eio-ht, 
trumpeter six, drummer five; to 24 soldiers, four, each; to a paymaster ten, a 
secretary eight, a barber ten, and a provost six. We must not infer from 
comparison of the wages of the secretary and barber, that the latter was the 
most valued though the most appreciated. The first had, doubtless, the most 
honour, though the second had a greater compensation in base lucre. 

On the 16th February, 1642-3, Printz, accompanied by John Campanius, 
a clergyman and subsequent historian of New Sv/eden, with many emi- 
grants, on board the ship Fame and Transport Swan, arrived in the Dela- 
ware. The governor established himself on the island of Tennekong, cor- 
rupted into, Tinicum; which, in Nov. 1643, was granted him by the Queen 
Christina, in fee ; where he built a fort called New Gottenburg, a convenient 
dwelling for himself, denominated Printz Hoff or Printz Hall, and a church, 
which was consecrated in 1646. Around this nucleus, the principal settlers 
reared their habitations. Pursuant to his instructions, he recognised the 
right of the aborigines to the soil, confirmed the contract made with them bv 
Minuit, for land fronting the river, from the Cape to the Falls, and extending 
inland, so far, as the necessities of the settlers should require. He refrained 
from every species of injury to the natives, cultivated their favour by a just 
and reciprocal commerce, supplying them with articles suitable to their 
wants, and employed all friendly means to win them to the Christian faith. 

The result of these measures was such as they should have produced. The 
savage was disarmed by respect and gratitude ; for, when the presents from 
the Swedes were discontinued, and councils were holden by the discontented, 
to weigh the fate of the strangers, the old and wise expatiated on their bene- 
volence and justice, and assured the young and violent, that no easy con- 
quest, would be made, of men, who, whilst cherishing the arts of peace, were 
armed with swords and muskets, and guarded by vigilance and courage. 



14 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The ire of the Indians on one occasion, it seems, was particularly directed 
against the pastor, who s})caking alone, during divine service, was supposed 
to exhort his audience to hostiUty against them.* 

XVII. Before Printz left Sweden, it was luiown that an Enghsh colony 
had alighted on the eastern shore of the Delaware; sixty persons having 
settled near Oijtsessing, Assamohocking, Hog or Salem Creek, at the close 
t)f the year 1640, or commencement of 1741, who were, probably, pioneers 
of Sir Edmund Ploeyden, or squatters from the colony of New Haven. The 
Swedes purchased all the lands from Cape May to Narriticon or Raccoon 
Creek, for the purpose of bringing the English under their dominion ; and 
Printz was instructed, either to attach them to the Swedish interests, or to 
procure their removal without violence.f He disregarded his instructions 
on this occasion, since, we are told, that the Dutch and Swedes united to 
expel the English ; and that the latter, assuming the task of keeping out the 
intruders, seized their possessions, and erected a fort ; which they called Elfts- 
burg or Elsinborg.ij: But, Acrelius assures us, that this fort was reared in 
1651, as a counterpoise to the Dutch power, acquired by the erection of 
Fort Casimer; and that, the guns of Elsinborg, compelling the Hollanders 
to strike the flag from their vessels' mast, gave mortal offence, and was the 
cause of their subsequent wrath, so fatal to the dominion of the Swedes. Be 
this as it may, all authors agree, that the Swedes were driven out by an in- 
vincible, and sometimes invisible, foe, — that the moschettoes, in countless 
hosts, alike incomparable for activity and perseverance, obtained exclusive 
possession of the fort, and that the discomfited Swedes, bathed even in the 
ill-gotten blood of their enemies, were compelled to abandon the post, which, 
in honour of the victors, received the name of MoscJiettoesburg. 

The Salem settlers were not the only Englishmen who endeavoured, at 
this time, to establish themselves in the vicinity of the Delaware. A colony 
seated under the patent of Lord Baltimore, was discovered on the Schuylkill, 
whence they were driven by the watchful Kieft, governor of New Nether- 
lands, without difficulty. His instructions, dated 22d May, 1642, to Jan 
Jansen Alpendam, commandant of the expedition, strongly assert the right 
of the Dutch to the soil and trade there. 

XVIII. The Swedish government anticipated, that, resistance might be 
made to their plans of colonization, by the Dutch West India Company, of 
whose pretensions to the shores of the Delaware, they were well instructed. 
Yet, Printz was authorized to protest against their claims, supported as they 
were, by the actual possession of Fort Nassau, now garrisoned by twenty 
men ; and in case of hostile efforts on their part, to contend to the uttermost. 

Printz conducted the affairs of New Sweden with due discretion, receiving 
the thanks and commendations of his sovereign, whose permission he soli- 
cited, in 1647, to return to Europe. He remained in America, however, 
until 1654, when he was succeeded in the government by John Papegoya, 
his son-in-law. Papegoya had come to the Delaware with the earliest Swe- 
dish settlers, probably in 1638; but had returned to Sweden about the time 
of Printz's departure. In 1643 he revisited New Sweden, bearing letters 
recommendatory, from the Queen, to the governor, whose daughter he subse- 
quently married. He remained in the government two years; when embark- 
ing for Europe, he devolved the administration on John Risingh, who came 
out, a short time before this period, clothed with the authority of commissary 

* "The Indians sometimes attended the religious assemblies of the Swedes; but 
with so little edification, that they expressed their amazement that one man should 
detain his tribe with such lengthened harangues, without offering to entertain them 
with brandy." — Grakames Col. Hist. 2 vol. 200. 

t Acrelius. t Beschryvinge van Virginia. Smith's New Jersey. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 15 

and counsellor, and continued to preside over the Swedes until they were 
subjected by the Dutch. He renewed the treaties with the Indians ; and at 
a convention held in 1664, both parties engaged to preserve and brighten the 
friendly chain. The engineer Lindstrom, who accompanied Risingh, mi- 
nutely explored several portions of the country, constructed plans for some 
forts, aided in the fortification of others, and framed a map of the bay, river, 
and adjacent tcri'itory, remarkable for its correctnesss, and curious, as giv- 
ing the Indian names of the streams. A descriptive memoir, highly interest- 
ing, accompanied the map.* 

The country on the Delaware was, for some years, holden by the Swedes 
and Dutch, in common. To the forts at Nassau and the Hoarkills, the lat- 
ter, in 1651, added Fort Casimer, at Sandhocken, the present site of New- 
castle. f This near approach to the primitive seat of their American domain, 
became intolerable to the Swedes. Prinfz remonstrated, and Risingh for- 
mally demanded, that Fort Casimer should be surrendered to him. This 
having been refused, he manfully resolved to seize it by force or fraud. He 
approached it in seeming amity, and after firing two complimentary salutes, 
landed thirty men, whom the garrison, unsuspectingly, admitted within their 
gates. The Swedes suddenly mastered the place, seized the effects of the 
West India Company, and even compelled some of the conquered soldiers to 
swear allegiance to Queen Christina. Not even Dutch phlegm would lie 
quiet under this grievous insult. The redoubted Stuyvesant, then governor 
of New York, though busily engaged in restraining the encroachments of 
his restless mercurial neighbours of Connecticut, resolved on instant and 
direful vengeance. 

XIX. On the 9th September, 1654, he appeared in the Delaware, with seven 
vessels, carrying between six and seven hundred men. He descended first 
upon Elsinborg, where the patriotism of the Swedes had again led them, in 
despite of the moschettoes, and where it was their fate to become prisoners to 
the invaders. Next, he asailed the fort of the Holy Trinity, and having 
landed and intrenched his force, demanded its surrender, threatening, in case 
of refusal, the utmost extreme of military severity. Whether the fort were 
taken by storm, or surrendered upon capitulation, history has, with repre- 
hensive carelessness, omitted to state : but certain it is, that the Dutch, also, 
became masters of the Holy Trinity, and striking the Swedish colours, gave 
from the towering flag-staff, those of the States-General, to the breeze. On 
the 16th, the fleet anchored in front of Fort Casimer, then commanded by 
Sven Scutz, or Schute, who, in reply to the summons, asked leave to con- 
sult his superior, Risingh; which being denied him, he yielded, upon most ho- 
nourable terms ; marching forth in military pomp, and retaining, not only the 
arms of his troops, but the battery of the fort. The stron2;er fortress of 
Christina was held by Risingh, in person; but even he, unable to resist the 
invincible Stuyvesant, submitted on the 25th of September; and the fall of 
New Gottcnburg, with its fort, Printzhojf, and church, soon followed. 
Thus perished, never to be revived, the provincial power of New Sweden.:}: 

Stuyvesant issued a proclamation favourable to such of the Swedes as 
chose to remain under his government. About twenty swore fealty to the 
" States-General, the Lords, Directors of the West India Company, their 
subalterns of the province of New Netherlands, and the Director-General, 
then, and thereafter to be, established." Risingh and one Elfyth, a noted 
trader, were ordered to Gottcnburg.^ Among those who remained, was the 
wife of Papegoya, to whom Tennehong had descended ; and who, subse- 



h 



* MSS. Lib. of Am. Phil. Soc. t Campanius, Acrelius. 

t Acrelius; Smith's N. Y.; Smith's N. J.; Dutch Records. S Smith's N. Y. 



16 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

quently, sold it to Captain Carr, the English governor, from whom the pur- 
chase money, 300 guilders was recovered, by execution from the council at 
New York.* In March, 1656, the Swedish resident at the Hague, remon- 
strated against the conduct of the West India Company; but the United Pro- 
vinces never gave redress. These wars of the Dutch and Swedes have been 
more minutely and worthily chronicled by the facetious and veracious 
Knickerbocker. We will add, only, that they appear to have been wholly 
unstained by blood, and admirably adapted to a country where restraint on 
population was not needed. 

During the government of the Swedes, several vessels, other than we 
have mentioned, arrived from Sweden with adventurers, who devoted them- 
selves to agriculture. The last ship, thus freighted, through the unskilful- 
ness of her officers, entered the Raritan, instead of the Delaware, river, and 
was seized by Stuyvesant, then preparing for his campaign against Risingh. 
Many improvements were made by this industrious and temperate people, 
from Cape Henlopen to the falls of Alumningh, or Sanhikans. Beside the 
places we have already named, they founded Upland the present Chester, at 
Mocoponaca; Korshol/n at Passaiung; Fort Manaiung at the mouth of the 
river, called by the Indians Manaiung, Manaijimk, Manajaske, Nitaba- 
cong, or Matinacong; by the Dutch, Schuylkill, and by the Swedes, Skiar- 
killen and Landskillen; marked the sites of Nya Wasa and Gripsholm, 
somewhere near the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, 
Straiosio[jk and Nieu Causeland or Clauseland; (the present Newcastle) 
and established forts, also, at Kinsessing, Wicacoa, (Southwark) Findlant, 
Meulandael, and Lapananel. On the eastern shore of the Delaware, they 
had settlements at Swedesborough, at the site of the present city of Burling- 
ton, and other places. Most of these stations are marked on the maps of 
Campanius and Lindstrom, and were, probably, little else than dwellings of 
farmers, with such slight defences, as might protect them from a sudden in- 
cursion of the natives. Gold and silver mines are said to have been disco- 
vered by the Swedes; and the latter are mentioned by Master Evelyn, in his 
description of the country, reported by Plantagenet, in his memoir on New 
Albion. The ores were probably pyrites, which have so often proven de- 
ceptivcf 

* New York Records. 

t We are assured by Lindstrom, that a silver mine existed on the eastern shore of 
the Delaware, in the vicinity of the falls; and that scold was found in considerable 
quantities higher up the river, on the Jersey side. " Tlie shore before the mountain 
is covered with pyrites. When the roundest are broken, kernels are found as large as 
small peas, containing virgin silver. I have broken more than a hundred. A savage 
Unapois beholding' a gold ring of the wife of governor Printz, demanded, why she 
carried such a trifle. The governor replied, ' if you will procure me such trifles, I 
will reward yon with other things suitable for you.' ' I know,' said the Indian, a 
mountain filled with such metal.' ' Behold,' rejoined the governor, ' what I will 
give you for a specimen ;' presenting to him at the same time, a fatliom of red and a 
fathom of blue frize, some wliite lead, looking-glasses, bodkins, and needles, declaring 
that he would cause him to be accompanied by two of his soldiers. But the Indian, 
refusing this escort, said, that he would first go for a specimen, and, if it gave satis- 
faction, he might he sent back with some of the governor's people. He promised to 
give a specimen, kept the presents and went away ; and, aftor some days, returned 
with a lump of ore as large as his doubled fist, of which the governor made proof, 
found it of good quality, and extracted from it a considerable quantity of gold, which 
he manufnctured into rings and bracelets. He promised the Indian further presents 
if he would discover the situation of this mountain. The Indian consented, but de- 
manded a delay of a few days, when he could spare more time. Content with this, 
Printz gave him more presents. The savage, having returned to his nation, boasted 
of his gifts, and declared the reason of their presentation. But he was assassinated by 
the sachem and liis companions, lest he should betray the situation of this gold mine ; 
they fearing its ruin if it were discovered by us. It is still unknown." — Extract 
from Lindstrom's MS. Jovrnnl. .1m. Phil. Soc. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 17 

XX. The Dutch governed the newly recovered country on the Delaware, 
by lieutenants, subject to the Director-General at New Amsterdam. Jo- 
hannes Paul Jaquet was the first Vice-Director. His successors were Peter 
Alricks, Hinojossa, and William Beekman. These officers were empowered 
to grant lands ; and their patents make part of the titles of the present pos 
sessors. Alrick's commission, of 12th of April, 1657, indicates the extent 
of the Dutch claim, on the west of the Delaware. It constitutes him " Di- 
rector-General, of the Colony of South river, of New Netherlands, and the 
fortress of Casimer, now called Niewcr Amstel, with all the lands dependent 
thereon, according to the first purchase, and deed of release, from the na- 
tives, dated, July the 19th, 1651 ; beginning at the west side of the Minquas, 
or Christina Kill, in the Indian language named, Siispecough, to the mouth 
of the bay or river called Boompt Plook, in the Indian language, Cannaress, 
and so far inland, as the bounds and limits of the Minquas land, with all the 
streams, appurtenances and dependencies." Of the country north of the 
Kill, or south of Boompt Hook, no notice is taken. In 1658, Beekman 
was directed to purchase Cape Henlopen, which, for want of goods, was not 
done, until the succeeding year.* From the order and purchase of 1658, it 
would seem, that no regard was had, either by the Indians or Dutch, to the 
contracts made for Goodyn, in 1629, or by the Swedish governors. 

Upon the eastern side of the present State of New Jersey, the Dutch had, 
at this period, acquired several tracts of country. Beside the purchase of 
Staten Island, for the Heer Pauw,f Augustine Herman purchased an exten- 
sive plot, stretching from Newark Bay, west of the present site of Elizabeth- 
town ;| and the Lord Director-General and Council, a large tract, called 
Bergen. § And we may, justly, suppose, that, the road between the colonies, 
on the Hudson and Delaware, was not wholly uninhabited. 

XXI. Although, for fifty years, these extensive possessions of the Dutch, 
were not disputed by the English government, still the claim of the English 
nation, founded on the discoveries by Cabot, Hudson, and other navigators, 
was neither abandoned nor unimproved. The Puritans were making con- 
tinued pretensions and encroachments upon the cast, and emigrants from 
New Haven settled on the left shores of the Delaware, so early as 1640 — 
some of whose descendants may, probably, yet be found, in Salem, Cumber- 
land, and Cape May, counties. The adventurers of Maryland had penetrated 
to the Schuylkill, and the agents or grantees of Sir Edward Ploeyden, had 
attempted to people his palatinate. Of these efforts it is proper that we should 
speak more particularly. 

In 1642, as we have seen, the Dutch expelled the English, from the 
Schuylkill, as intruders, on rights too notorious to be disputed. But in 1654, 
Colonel Nathaniel Utie, commissioner of Fendal, governor of Maryland, de- 
manded possession of the shores of the Delaware, by virtue of the patent 
from the English crown, to Lord Baltimore ; visited New Castle to protest 
against the occupation of the Dutch, to threaten the assertion of Baltimore's 
right by force, and to offer his protection to the inhabitants, upon terms 
similar to those given to other emigrants. Beekman proposed to refer the 
controversy to the republics of England and Holland ; and Stuyvesant, by 
commissioners, at Annapolis, repeated the proposition ; asserting, however, 
the title of the India Company, by prior occupancy, and assent of the English 
nation ; and protesting against the conduct of Fendal, as in breach of the 

* Smith's New York. 

f Deed, dated, 10th August, 1630. Elizabethtown Bill in Chancery. 

i Deed, 6th December, 1651. 

§ Deed, 30th January, 1658. 

C 



18 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

treaties between the two nations. In the following year, Lord Baltimore 
applied, through his agent, captain Neale, to the Dutch Company, for orders 
to the colonists on the Delaware, to submit to his authority. A peremptory 
refusal was instantly given ; and a petty war in the colonies was prevented, 
by the weakness of Maryland, and the hopes of redress from measures then 
contemplated by the English government against all the Dutch possessions 
in America.* 

We learn, from a pamphlet, published in 1648, that a grant had been 
made by James the First, to Sir Edward Ploeyden, of the greater part of the 
country between Maryland and New England, which was erected into a 
province and county palatine, with very comprehensive, if not precise 
boundaries.f 

The rights derived from this patent were unexercised during the reigns of 
James, and the first Charles — but were acted on, during the revolution. 
Before 1648, a company was formed, under Sir Edward Ploeyden, for 
planting this province, in aid of which, our author wrote his description of 
New Albion. This little work compares New Albion with other countries 
of the new world, giving all preference to the former, and contains a learned 
exposition and defence of the rights of an earl palatine, who, among other 
royalties, having power to create barons, baronets, and knights, of his 
palatinate, had bestowed a baronage upon our author, and others, as well as 
upon each of his own children. Thus, there were, the son and heir ap- 
parent, and Governor, Francis, Lord Ploeyden, Baron of Mount Royal, an 
extensive manor, on Elk river ; and Thomas, Lord Ploeyden, High Admiral, 
Baron of Roymount, a manor on the Delaware bay, in the vicinity of Lewis- 
town; and the Lady Winifrid, Baroness of Uvedale, in Webb's Neck, de- 
riving its name from its abundance of grapes, producing the Thoulouse, 
Muscat, and others. 

From circumstances, it is probable, that this New Albion Company sent 
out agents, who visited different parts of the province, some of whom esta- 
blished themselves there; that the Palatine and some friends, of whom was 
Plantagenet, sought temporary cover from the storms of civil war in England, 
amid the American wilds ; — that a fort named Erewomec was erected at the 
mouth of Pensaukin Creek, on the Jersey shore ; and that, there was a con- 
siderable settlement at Watcessi or Oijtsessing, the present site of Salem, 
which was probably broken up, or reduced, by the united force of the Dutch 
and Swedes. No known vestige of these settlements remains ; and all our 
knowledge in relation to their fate is coniectural.:|: 

XXII. In 1640, as stated by Trumbull, some persons at New Haven, by 
Captain Nathaniel Turner, their agent, purchased for thirty pounds sterling, a 
large tract of land, for plantations, on both sides of the Delaware river; erected 
trading houses, and sent out near fifty families to settle them.§ It is proba- 
ble, that this number is over-rated. But we gather from the complaints of 

* New York Records. New York Hist. Col. vol. iii. p. 368. Smith's New York. 

t This pamphlet is .iddresscd by Beauchamp Plantagenet, " To the Right Honour- 
able and mighty Lord I^dmnnd, by Divine Providence, Lord Proprietor, Earl Palatine, 
Governor, and Captain-General of the province of New Albion; and to the Right 
Honourable, the Lord Viscount Monson, of Castlemain; the Lord Sherard, Baron of 
Leitrim, and to all other, the Viscounts, Barons, Baronets, Knights, and gentlemen, 
merchants, adventurers, and planters, of the hopeful company of New Albion, in all 
forty-four undertakers, and subscribers, bound by indenture, to bring and settle 3000 
able, trained men, in our several plantations, to the said province." 

t New Albion. Smith's N. J. Bcscryvinge van Virginie, New.Netherlandts. Penn. 
Register, 1828, vol. iv. See, for a further account of New Albion, Appendix, note 
B, and Philadelphia Library, No. 1019, Oct. 

§ Trumbull's Conn. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 19 

the Connecticut traders, that, they visited the Delaware for the purpose of 
barter, and were driven thence by the Swedes and Dutch, under Kieft, in 
1642; that, their trading house was destroyed, their goods confiscated, and 
their persons imprisoned. The commissioners of tlie United Colonies of New 
England, upon an investigation of the facts, dii-ected governor Winthrop to 
remonstrate with the Swedish governor, and to claim indemnity for the losses 
sustained, amounting to one thousand pounds. Winthrop addressed letters 
to Kieft and Printz, but received no satisfactory answer. 

At an extraordinary meeting of the commissioners, in 1649, the court of 
New Haven, proposed the speedy planting of Delaware Bay. But this, as a 
general measure, was deemed inexpedient, and the New Haven merchants 
were left to improve or sell their lands as they should see cause. The treat- 
ment of these merchants, by the Dutch, formed part of the grievances sub- 
mitted to the delegates appointed by Stuyvesant, and the United Colonics, in 
1650; when the latter claimed a right to the Delaware under their patents, as 
well as by purchase from the Indians. These delegates, from want of suffi- 
cient light to determine the question, concluded to leave both parties at liber- 
ty to improve their interests upon that river. 

Encouraged by this declaration, the inhabitants of New Haven and its 
vicinity, in the following year, fitted out a vessel with fifty adventurers, who 
proposed to establish themselves on the disputed lands. They put into 
New York ; and the object of their voyage being made known, Stuyvesant, 
who was wanting, neither in ability, nor resolution, immediately seized the 
vessel, her papers, and crew, and extorted a promise from the last, to return 
to their homes ; which they more readily gave as the Dutch governor threat- 
ened, that he would send to Holland, any of them whom he should find on 
the Delaware, and would resist their encroachments, in that quarter, even 
unto blood. 

But, the colony of New Haven, with its characteristic pertinacity, was not 
disposed thus to abandon her pretensions. She brought the subject again 
before the commissioners of the United Colonies, in 1654, who addressed a 
missive to Stuyvesant, in which, the rights alleged by the Dutch, are very 
summarily disposed of, as " their own mistake, or at least, the error of them 
that informed them;" whilst, the claims of the people of New Haven, appeared 
" so clear, that they could not but assert their just title to their lands, and de- 
sire that they might peaceably enjoy the same." No effect was produced by 
this letter, and the colony of New Haven would have resorted to hostilities, 
could she have been assured of the protection of her sisters. But, they were 
deaf to her appeals, and the Plymouth colony shortly replied, " that they did 
not think it meet, to answer their desire in that behalf, and that they would have 
no hand in any such controversy." Thus deprived of all hope of effectual as- 
sistance, from their neighbours, the traders of New Haven were compelled to 
remain at peace. The country was soon after granted to the Duke of York, 
and their claims were too feebly sustained by justice, to brave the Duke's power. 

But this, with other causes of dispute, had implanted in the colonists of 
New England, such animosity against their Dutch neighbours, that, in 1653, 
they formed the design to drive them from the continent, and applied to 
Oliver Cromwell for assistance. He, being then engaged in the two years' 
war with Holland, which the Parliament had commenced, promptly acceded 
to their request, by despatching a squadron to aid the colonial troops. The 
design was, however, arrested, by intelligence of the peace that had been 
concluded between the Protector and the States-General.* And it is remark- 

* Oldmixon i. 119. Chalmers 574. Trumbull i. 168. Hazard's Col. vol. ii. Gra- 
hames' Col. Hist, of North America. 



20 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

able, that the treaty has no direct reference to the possessions of either party 
in North America ; but, stipulating for the restoi'ation of peace, between the 
dominions of the two countries in every part of the world, and the English 
expedition being countermanded thereon, the validity of the Dutch claim to 
the country, it is supposed, was manifestly implied and practically acknow- 
ledged.* Yet, the New England men, succeeded in impressing different 
views upon Richard Cromwell ; who, during his short protectorate, ad- 
dressed instructions to his commanders, for the invasion of New Nether- 
lands, and directed the concurrence of the forces of the English colonial 
governments, in the enterprise ; but the subversion of his ephemeral power, 
prevented the execution of his orders. ■]" 

Charles II., however, from enmity to the States-General, certainly not 
from love of his transatlantic subjects, entered into their designs. His senti- 
ments were enforced by the interest of the Duke of York, who had placed 
himself at the head of a new African company, with the view of extending 
and appropriating the slave trade, and which found its commerce impeded 
by the more successful traffic of the Dutch. Like the other courtiers, the 
Duke had cast his eyes, on the American territorities, which his brother 
was about to distribute with a hberal hand; and to other reasons, which he 
employed to promote a rupture with the Dutch, he solicited a grant of their 
North American possessions, on the prevailing plea, that they had been ori- 
ginally usurped from the territory, properly belonging to Britain.ij: The in- 
fluence of these motives on the mind of the King, may have been aided by 
the desire to strike a blow that would enforce the arbitrary commission, he 
was preparing to send to New England, and to teach the Puritan colonists 
there, that he had power to subdue his enemies in America. 

XXIII. Charles having failed in repeated attempts to provoke the resent- 
ment of the States-General, resolved to embrace the suggestion of his right 
to the province of New Netherlands. In pursuance of this purpose, a roy».l 
charter, dated 20th March, 1664, was executed in favour of the Duke of 
York, containing a grant of the whole region, extending from the western 
bank of the Connecticut river, to the eastern shore of the Delaware, together 
with the adjacency of Long Island, and conferring on his royal highness, all 
the powers of government, civil and military, within these ample boundaries. 
This grant disregarded alike, the possession of the Dutch and the recent 
charter of Connecticut, which, from ignorance or carelessness in the defini- 
tion of boundaries, it wholly, but tacitly superseded. 

As soon as the Duke had obtained this grant, and before investiture, he 
proceeded to exercise his proprietary powers in their fullest extent, by con- 
veying to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, all that portion of the ter- 
ritory, which forms the present state of New Jersey. A military force, 
however, had been prepared to compel possession ; and with some secrecy 
too, although this was scarce necessary, since the Dutch, so far from appre- 
hending an attack, had, but a ihw months before, sent to their colony, a 
vessel laden with planters and the implements of husbandry. 

XXIV. The command of the English troops in the expedition, and the 
government of the province against which it was directed, were given to 
Colonel NichoUs, who had studied the art of war under Marshal Turenne, 
and who, with George Cartvvright, Sir. Robert Carr, and Samuel Maverick, 
also, had a commission to visit the colonies of New England, and investigate 

» Oldmixon i. 119. Chalmers 574. Trumbull i. 168. Hazard's Col. vol. ii. Gra- 
hatne's Col. History of North America. 

t lb. ib. Thurloe's Collec. i. 721. 

I Sir J. Dalrymple's Mem. ii. 4. Hume's England. Chalmers. Grahame, vol. 
ii.214. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 21 

and determine, according to their discretion, all disputes and controver- 
sies within the various colonial jurisdictions. After touching at Boston, 
where an armed force was ordered to be raised and sent, to join the expedi- 
tion, the fleet proceeded to the Hudson river, and anchored before the capital 
of New Netherlands. The requisition from Boston was so tardily obeyed, 
that the enterprise was over, before the Massachusetts troops were ready to 
march ; but governor Winthrop of Connecticut, with several of the principal 
inhabitants of that province, immediately joined the King's standard.* 

The armament, consisting of three ships, with one hundred and thirty 
guns and six hundred men, was too formidable to be resisted by a petty 
town, hastily and poorly fortified, and manned by peaceful burghers, or 
mere plodding planters. Yet the spirited governor was exceeding loth to 
surrender without, at least, having attempted its defence ; although the favour- 
able terms offered to the inhabitants disposed them to immediate capitulation. 
After a few days of fruitless negotiation, during which, Stuyvesant pleaded, 
in vain, the justice of the title of the States-General, and the peace existing 
between them and the English nation, the province was surrendered upon 
the most honourable terms to the vanquished, who preserved their arms, am- 
munition, and public stores, with leave to transport them, within twelve 
months, to Holland : the inhabitants were free to sell their estates and return 
to Europe, or retain them and reside in the province ; such as remained, 
were to enjoy their ancient laws relative to the descent of property, liberty 
of conscience in divine worship, and church order, and perpetual exemption 
from military service ; and what was yet more extraordinary, all Dutchmen 
continuing in the province, or afterwards resorting to it, were allowed free trade 
with Holland ;t but this privilege being repugnant to the navigation act, was 
soon afterwards revoked. Notwithstanding these very advantageous condi- 
tions, the mortified commandant could not be brought to ratify them, for two 
days, after they had been signed by the commissioners.:]: Immediately after- 
wards. Fort Orange also surrendered. In honour of the Duke, the city of New 
Amsterdam received the name of New York, afterwards extended to the 
province, and Fort Orange, that of Albany. The greater part of the inhabi- 
tants submitted, cheerfully, to the new government; and governor Stuyvesant 
retained his property and closed his life, in his beloved city. 

XXV. Sir Robert Carr, with two frigates, and the troops not required at 
New York, was sent to compel the submission of the colony on the Delaware ; 
which he effected with the expenditure of two barrels of powder and twenty 
shot. By articles of agreement, signed Garret Saunders, Vautiell, Hans 
Block, Lucas Peterson, and Henry Cousturier, it was stipulated, " that the 
burgesses and planters submitting themselves to his Majesty, should be pro- 
tected in person and estate; that, the present magistrates should continue in 
office; that permission should be given to depart the country, within six 
months, to any one ; that all should enjoy liberty of conscience in church 
discipline, as formerly ; and that any person taking the oath of allegiance, 
should become a free denizen, and enjoy the privilege of trade in his Ma- 
jesty's dominions, as freely as any Engh'shman."§ From this separate con- 
vention, it would seem, that the capitulation of New York was not deemed 
conclusive upon the Delaware settlements; whose affairs were henceforth 
conducted, until 1768, by their ancient magistrates, under the supervision of 
Captain John Carr, aided by a council consisting of Hans Block, Israel 
Holme, Peter Rambo, Peter Cock, and Peter Aldrick, from whom an appeal 
lay to the governor and council of New York.|| 

* Trumbull i. 2GG. t Smith's N. J. Grahame's Col. Hist. 

i August 27, 1664. § 1st October. |1 New York Records. 



22 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

XXVI. Thus, by an act of" flagrant injustice and tyranical usurpation, 
was overthrown the Dutch dominion in North America, after it had subsist- 
ed for more than half a century. The actual condition of their possessions 
was depreciated by Col. Nichols, in his letters to the Duke, from the humane 
view, it is supposed, of deterring his master from burdening or irritating the 
people, by fiscal impositions. Early travellers and writers unite in describ- 
ing the Dutch colonial metropolis, so admirably chosen, as a handsome well 
built town ; and Josselyn declares that the meanest house in it, was worth 
£100.* Indeed, the various provisions introduced into the articles of sur- 
render, to preserve the comforts of the inhabitants, attest the orderly condition 
and plentiful estate they had acquired, and explain the causes of their unwar- 
like spirit. If their manners corresponded with those of their countrymen in 
the parent state, they were probably superior to those of their conquerors. 
Of the colonists, who had latterly resorted to the province, some had enjoyed 
affluence and respectability in Holland, and had imported with them, and dis- 
played in their houses, costly services of family plate, and well selected pro- 
ductions of the Dutch school of painting.f No account has been preserved 
of the total population of the province and its dependencies; but the metro- 
polis, at this time, is said to have contained about 3000 persons, of whom, 
one half returned to Holland. Their habitations, however, were soon occu- 
pied by emigrants, partly from Britain, but chiefly from New England. 
Upon the North river, throughout the present county of Bergen, Dutch set- 
tlers were numerous, and both shores of the Delaware were studded with 
plantations of Dutch and Swedes. Three Dutch families were settled at 
Lazy Point, opposite Mattinicunk Island, the site of Burlington, and four 
years later, one Peter Jegow, in 1668, (such was the intercourse between the 
two rivers) received license for, and kept a house of entertainment, for 
accommodation of passengers, travellers, and strangers, on this point of the 
Delaware. :j: 

The captiu'e of New York and its dependencies, led to an European war, 
between Great Britain and Holland, ending in the treaty of Breda, of July, 
1667. Happily, for the prosperity of the colony, which Nicholls, with the 
aid of the other English provinces, would have defended to the last extremity, 
neither the States-General, nor the Dutch West India Company, made any 
attempt to possess themselves of New York during this war; and at the 
peace, it was ceded to England, in exchange for her colony of Surinam, 
which had been conquered by the Dutch. This exchange was no otherwise 
expressed, than by a general stipulation in the treaty, that each nation should 
retain what it had acquired by arms, since the commencement of hostilities. 
The Dutch had no reason to regret this result, since they could not long have 
preserved New York against the increasing strength and rivalry of the inha- 
bitants of New England, Maryland, and Virginia.§ 

Colonel Nicholls governed the province, for nearly three years, with great 
justice and good sense. He settled the boundaries with Connecticut; which, 
yielding all claim to Long Island, obtained great advantages on the main, 
pushing its line to Mamoroneck river, about thirty miles from New York — 
prescribed the mode of purchasing lands from the Indians, making the con- 
sent of the governor, and public registry, requisite to the validity of all con- 
tracts with them for the soil — and incorporated the city of New York, under 
a mayor, five aldermen, and a sheriff; and although he reserved to himself 
all judicial authority, his administration was so wise and impartial, that it 
enforced universal praise. 

* Josselyn's Second Voyage, p. 154. Oldmixon i. 119. 

t Grant's Memoirs of an American Lady, &c. vol. i. p. 11. Grahame's Col. Hist, 
vol. ii. 225. t Elizabethtown Bill in Chancery. New Jersey Records. 

§ Grahame's Col. Hist. vol. ii 231. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 23 



CHAPTER 11. 

Comprising Events from the Grant to the Duke of York, to the Division of the 
Colony, into East and West Jersey. I. Nature of the Estate acquired by the 
Duke of York, by the Grant from Charles I.— II. Motives and Nature of the 
Grant from the Duke of York, to Berkeley and Carteret. — III. Bounds of 
the Country ceded. — IV. Proceedings of the Proprietaries, to settle their Pro- 
vince of New Jersey, &c. — their " Concessions." — V. Remarks on the Constitu- 
tion. — VI. Assumption of Government by Colonel Nicholls — Indian Grants. — 
VII. Philip Carteret appointed Governor — His Efforts for Colonization — Ad- 
vantages enjoyed by the New Colonists. — VIII. Unhappy Effects of the De- 
mand of Proprietary Quit Rents. — IX. Recapture of New Netherlands by Holland 
— and Restorationto the English. — X. Re-grant of the Province to the Duke — 
Re-grant to Berkeley and Carteret. — XI. Return of Philip Carteret to the 
Government — Modification of the Constitution. — XII. Oppressive Conduct of 
Andross, Governor of New York. — XIII. Division of the Province into East and 
West Jersey. 

I. We have seen, in the precedmg Chapter, that James, Duke of York, 
even before he had obtained seizin of his newly granted fief, had conveyed 
a considerable portion of it to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret. The 
charter to the duke, though less ample in its endowments than those previ- 
ously granted to the proprietaries of Maryland and Carolina, resembled them 
by conferring the powers of government on the grantee and his assigns. 
And thus, even with the light which had been stricken forth by the extraoi'- 
dinary political concussions of the passing century, the allegiance and obe- 
dience of freemen, were made transferable as if they were serfs attached to the 
soil. Nor was this proprietary right merely potential. — Instances in the his- 
tory of the Carol inas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, demonstrate, that the pro- 
prietaries regarded their functions less as a trust, than as an absolute property ; 
subject to every act of ownership, and in particular, to mortgage and aliena- 
tion. It was not until after the British revolution of 1688, that the legality 
of this power was disputed ; when the ministers of William III. maintained 
its repugnance to the laws of England, which recognised (an absurdity not 
less) a hereditary, but not a commercial transmission of office and power. 
The point was never determined by any formal adjudication; but, the evil 
in process of time, produced its own remedy. The succession and multipli- 
cation of proprietaries became so inconvenient to themselves, that, they 
found relief, in surrendering their functions to the crown. In Carolina and 
New Jersey the exercise of the right of assignation, materially, contributed 
to shorten the duration of the proprietary government.* 

II. Berkeley and Carteret were already proprietaries of Carolina. Not 
satisfied with this ample investiture, nor yet certified by experience, of the 
tardy returns fi'om colonial possessions, they had been induced, by the re- 
presentations of a projector acquainted with the domain assigned to the Duke 
of York, to believe, that a particular portion of it would form a valuable 
acquisition to themselves. This person, we are assured by Colonel Nicholls, 
had been an unsuccessful applicant for the patent which the Duke had ob- 
tained, and revenged his disappointment by instigating these courtiers to 

* Grahame's Col. Hist. vol. i. 315. 



24 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

strip him of a most desii'able portion of his territory.* But the claims which 
the grantees of the duke had upon the royal family, together with the political 
motives of colonization, may have been sufficient reasons for the grant of a 
newly acquired, and almost unexplored wilderness in America ; and we in- 
cline to the opinion, which we think is confirmed by the promptitude with 
which it was made, after the title of the Duke had accrued, that, the transfer 
to Berkeley and Carteret was an understood consideration of the grant to the 
Duke. Both were favoured courtiers ; — Berkeley was of the Privy Council, 
and Carteret, Treasurer of the Navy, and Vice Chamberlain of the royal 
household.! 

III. The cession from the Duke was made by deeds of lease and release, 
dated, respectively, 23d and 24th June, 1664, and conveyed to the grantees, 
their heirs and assigns, in consideration of a competent sum, " That tract of 
" land adjacent to New England, lying westward of Long Island, and Man- 
" hattan Island ; and bounded on the east, part by the main sea, and part by 
"Hudson's river; and hath upon the west, Delaware Bay, or river; and 
" extendeth southward to the main ocean, as far as Cape May, at the mouth of 
" Delaware Bay ; and to the northward as far as the northernmost branch of 
" the said bay, or river Delaware, which is in 41° 40' of latitude ; and 
" crosses over, thence, in a straight line, to Hudson's river, in 41 degrees of 
" latitude ; which said tract of land is hereafter to be called Nova Ccesaria, 
" or New Jersey." The name was given in compliment to Carteret, who 
had defended the island of Jersey against the long Parliament, in the civil 
war. But the powers of government, which had been expressly granted 
to the Duke, were not in terms conveyed, though it would seem, that both 
parties deemed them to have passed by the grant. 

IV. The first care of the proprietaries was to invite inhabitants to their 
province ; and their exertions for this purpose, though pursued with more 
eagerness than perseverance, were marked by political sagacity, and held 
forth those assurances of civil and religious rights which had proven so at- 
tractive in New England. They prepared a constitution which they pub- 
lished under the title of " The concessions and agreement of the Lords Pro- 
prietors of New Jersey, to and with all and every of the adventurers, and all 
such as shall settle and plant there.":): We deem it our duty to give much 
in detail, the provisions of this instrument; since from it, have sprung, many 
of the existing institutions of the state. 

Itpi'ovided; 1. That the governor of the province should have })ower, 
when occasion required, to appoint a substitute, and to nominate a council, in 
number, not less than six, nor moi-e than twelve, by whose advice he should 
govern : — 2. That the proprietaries or governor should nominate a secretary 
or register, to record all public affairs, and all grants or leases for more than 
one year, of land, fi'om the proprietor, or from man to man ; the execution 
of which, should be acknowledged before the governor or a judge; and 
giving to such recorded grants, preference to other conveyances : — 3. That 

* The name of this individual was Scot. Whether it was he, or another with the 
same name, who afterwards pubhshed an account of East New Jersey, we are uncer- 
tain. Colonel Nichols acquits Berkeley and Carteret of a design to defraud the Duke. 
But Carteret did not always enjoy an unspotted reputation. In 16G9 he was expelled 
the House of Commons for covfascd accounts as chamberlain. — Grahame's Col. Hist. 
Smith's JViw Jersey. 

t Clarendon. 

t The date of this instrument, as given in Scot's model of the province of East 
New Jersey, in Smith's History of New Jersey, and in Leaming and Spicer's Collec- 
tion of State Papers, is lOth February, 1664. This date precedes not only that of the 
grant to Berkeley and Carteret, but, also, that of the grant to the Duke of York. The 
date is, therefore, erroneous, unless we suppose the instrument was prepared before 
the charter from the king 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 25 

a surveyor-general, appointed in the same manner as the secretary, should 
survey the lands granted by the proprietary, and those of individuals when 
requested ; certifying the same for record, to the register : — 4. That all 
officers should swear (and record their oaths) to bear allegiance to the King, 
to be faithful to the proprietaries, and duly to discharge their respective 
trusts; persons subscribing a declaration to like effect without oath, being 
subject to the same punishment, as if they had sworn and broken their 
oaths: — 5. That all subjects of the King of England, swearing allegiance to 
the King and faithfulness to the Lords, might become freemen of the pro- 
vince: — 6. That no person so qualified, should, at any time, be in any way 
molested, punished, disquieted, or called in question for any difference in 
opinion or practice, in matters of religious concernment, who do not actually 
disturb the civil peace of the said province ; but that all persons may freely 
and fully have and enjoy his and their judgments and consciences in matters 
of religion, they behaving themselves peaceably and quietly, and not using 
this liberty to licentiousness, nor to the civil injury or outward disturbance 
of others ; any law, statute, or clause contained, or to be contained, usage 
or custom of the realm of England, to the contrary thereof, in anywise not- 
withstanding : — 7. As a restraint upon the right of advowson, claimed by 
the proprietaries, under their grant, that the Assembly should have power to 
constitute and appoint such and so many ministers or preachers as they 
shall think fit, and to establish their maintenance, giving liberty beside, to 
any person or persons to keep and maintain what preachers or ministers 
they please. 

The concessions further provided — 8. That, the inhabitants being free- 
men, or chief agents to others, should immediately choose twelve repre- 
sentatives, to unite with the governor and council in making laws; but, so 
soon as the proper territorial divisions should be made, that the inhabitants or 
freeholders thereof, respectively, should, annually, elect representatives who, 
with the governor and council, should form the General Assembly of the 
provmce; the governor or his deputy being present, unless he refused, when 
the Assembly might appoint a president. The Assembly was to ha-ve power 
to meet and adjourn at pleasure, and to fix their quorum at not less than one- 
third of their number : to enact all necessary laws, as near as may be, con- 
veniently agreeable to the laws and customs of England, and not against 
the interest of the Lords Proprietors, nor against these concessions, and 
particularly, not repugnant to the article for liberty of conscience ; such 
laws to be in force for one year, unless contradicted by the Lords Proprie- 
tors ; within which time to be presented to them for ratification, and being 
confirmed, to remain in force until expired by their own limitation, or be 
repealed : to constitute courts, and all that shall pertain to them : to levy 
taxes on goods or lands, except such of the latter as were unsettled, belong- 
ing to the Lords Proprietors : to erect manors, with their courts and juris- 
dictions, and to divide the province into such districts as they might think 
proper: to create ports, and harbours; build castles, incorporate cities, 
towns, and boroughs ; create a military force ; naturalize foreigners ; and 
prescribe the quantity of land to be allotted, from time to time, to every head, 
free or servant, within the proportions granted by the " concessions :" to 
provide for the maintenance and support of the governor, the necessary 
charges of government, and the collection of the Lords' rents ; and lastly, 
to enact all such other laws, as may be necessary for the prosperity and 
settlement of the province, conforming to the limitations expressed in the 
" concessions." 

The governor and council were empowered — 9. To see that all courts 
and officers performed their duties, and to punish infraction of the laws : 
D 



26 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

to nominate and commission the judges and other officers, according to the 
constitution of the General Assembly, appointing none but freeholders, ex- 
cept by assent of Assembly, and their commissions to revoke at pleasure : 
to have charge of all places of defence, and direction and officering of the 
military force, appointing none but freeholders without assent of the Assem- 
bly: to reprieve criminals until the pleasure of the Lords, who reserved the 
power to pardon, was known : to issue writs for supplying vacancies in the 
Assembly ; and to grant warrants for land. They were required, not to im- 
pose, nor silver to be imposed, any tax upon the province or inhabitants, 
other than that imposed by the General Assembly : to take care, that lands 
quietly held, seven years after survey by the surveyor-general, should not 
be subject to review by the proprietaries, or their agents. 

And that the planting of the province might be the more speedily promoted, 
it was further provided — 10. That, there should be granted to all persons 
who had already adventured, or should transport themselves or servants, 
before the 1st Jan. 1665, lands in the following proportions, viz. to every 
freeman, going with the first governor, armed with musket, ten pounds of 
powder and twenty pounds of bullets, with bandeliers and matches conve- 
nient, and with six months' provision, for his own person, arriving there, 
one hundred and fifty acres ; and like quantity, for every able bodied ser- 
vant, so armed, whether taken by the master, or sent thither, by him ; and 
for every weaker servant, or slave, male or female, exceeding fourteen years, 
which any one should send or carry, arriving there, seventy-five acres; 
and to every Christian servant, exceeding such age, seventy-five acres, 
for his own use: to the master or mistress going before 1st January, 1665, 
one hundred and twenty acres, and like quantity for an able bodied male 
servant, taken with, or by, them; and for other servants or slaves, as 
above, sixty acres, with sixty acres for the servant's own use, when able, and 
forty-five acres when of the weaker class. Where the party emigrating 
arrived, from January 1666 to January 1667, armed and provided as afore- 
said, he became entitled, for self and able servant, to sixty acres of land for 
each, and such servant to like quantity, and weaker servants or slaves, thirty 
acres each. All lands were to be taken up by warrant, from the governor, 
and confirmed, after surve)^, by the governor and council, under a seal to be 
provided for that purpose. All lands were to be divided by general lot, none 
less than two thousand one hundred, nor more than twenty-one thousand, 
acres, except cities, towns, &c., and the near lots of townships; and of such 
lots, towns, &c., one seventh, was reserved, by lot, for the proprietaries. 
Convenient portions of land were to be given, for highways and streets, not 
exceeding one hundred feet in breadth, in cities, towns and villages; for 
churches, forts, wharves, keys and harbours, and for public houses ; and to 
each parish for the use of their minister, two hundred acres, in such place 
as the General Assembly might appoint. A penny, or half penny, per acre, 
according to the quality of the land, was reserved to the proprietaries, an- 
nually, as quit rent. 

V. Such was the first constitution of New Jersey, almost as democratic as 
the one she enjoys ; and certainly a greater safeguard of her liberties, since 
this was, truly, a constitution, an unalterable paramount law, prescribing and 
regulating the duties and powers, of the agents of the government, whether 
legislative, executive, or judicial ; whilst all the provisions of the instrument 
of 1776, save three, are placed at the will of the legislature. What more 
was necessary, save the perpetuity of the laws, to assure to the people, all 
the blessings of political union? No laws were in force, save for one year, 
without the assent of the Lords Proprietors. But, laws which did not in- 
fringe their interests, would, commonly, receive their assent; and when it 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 27 

was refused, at the worst, the Assembly was compelled to re-enact such 
laws, annually. It was, indeed, a singular competition, which these pi'o- 
prietary governments produced, in which despotic sovereigns, and specula- 
tive legislators, were compelled, by interest, to vie with each other, in the 
production of models of liberty, and in offering to their subjects, the most 
effectual securities against arbitrary government. The competition was, 
the noble, though compulsory sacrifice to the great and divine principle, 
that man, in the aggregate, is competent to promote his own happiness. 

VI. Upon the conquest of New Netherlands, Col. Nicholls assumed the 
administration of the whole territory, as governor for the Duke of York. 
While yet unacquainted with the grant to Berkeley and Carteret, he formed 
the design of colonizing the district which they had acquired ; and for this 
purpose, granted licenses to various persons, to make purchases of lands 
from the aboriginal inhabitants ; a measure, however wise in its conception, 
fraught, ultimately, with perplexing consequences to the Duke's grantees, 
by the creation of a pretence for an adverse title. Three small townships 
were speedily formed, in the eastern part of the territory, by emigrants, 
chiefly, from Long Island, who laid the foundation of Elizabethtown, Wood- 
bridge, and Piscataway ; and Nicholls, who entertained a very favourable 
opinion of this region, bestowed on it the name of Albania, in commemora- 
tion of one of the titles of his master.* It is uncertain, whether Middletown 
and Shrewsbury had not been previously settled by Dutch and English. 
About this time, however, many respectable farmers, comprising almost all 
the inhabitants from the west end of Long Island, removed to the neighbour- 
hood of Middletown ; and to Shrewsbury, there came many families from 
New England. t 

* Smith's N. J. Grahame's Col. Hist. 

t The petitioners for the Elizabethtown tract, 26th Sept. 16G4, were John Bailey, 
Daniel Denton, Thomas Benydick, Nathaniel Denton, John Foster, and Luke Watson. 
Tlie parties to the deed, from the Indians, dated 28th Oct. 16G4, are Mattano, Mana- 
warne, and Conascomon, of Staten Island, and John Bailey, Daniel Denton, and Luke 
Watson: — the tract conveyed, is described, as " one parcel of land, bounded on the 
south, by a river, commonly called the Raritan, and on the east, by the river which 
parts Staten Island and the main, and to run northward up Arthur Cull Bay, till we 
come to the first river, which sets westward out of the river aforesaid; and to run 
westward, into the country, twice the length that it is broad, from the north to the 
south, of the aforementioned bounds." The consideration given for this broad tract, 
was twenty fathom of trading cloth, two made coats, two guns, two kettles, ten bars 
of lead, twenty handfuls of powder, and four hundred fathoms of white, or two hun- 
dred of black, wampum, payable in one year from the day of entry, by the grantees, 
upon the lands. The whole valued at thirty-six pounds and fourteen shillings sterling. 
One of the grantors attests the conveyance, perhaps the first Indian grant made with 
technical form, by a mark opposite to his name. This, subsequently, became the 
common mode of signature ; and the illiterate sons of the American forest, like the 
unlettered noble of the European feudal states, adopted as a sign manual, occasionally, 
the picture of a bird, or oiher object, that captivated his fancy. Mattano was the 
only grantor who signed, and his mark was v..x,v^.- or waved line; and, unfortu- 
nately for his business character, he had executed a deed, for the same lands, to Au- 
gustus Herman, already mentioned. The grant, however, is duly confirmed, probably, 
in entire ignorance of preceding events, by governor Nicholls. t The wampum was 
the current money of the Indian tribes, the precious material of which their orna- 
ments were made, and the sacred sanction of their contracts, public and private. The 
name is derived from an Indian word, meaning mjwc/c. It was called by the Dutch, 
seicant. It was worked from shells into the form of beads, and perforated, to string 
on leather. Six beads were formerly valued at a stiver, twenty stivers made a guilder, 
Gd. currency, or 4d. sterling. The white was fabricated from the inside of the great 
conchs, the black or purple, from the clam or muscle shell. Several strings, increased 
in number with the importance of the occasion, formed the belt of wampum. Before 

\ See Elizabethtown Bill in Chancery. 



28 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

But the hope, which Nicholls had conceived, of rendering the district a 
valuable appendage of the Duke's possessions, was destroyed by intelligence 
of the grant to its new proprietaries. He remonstrated, with his master, on 
the impolicy of thus multiplying statistical divisions, and disjointing, from 
his own province, a portion distinguished for the fertility of its soil, the com- 
modiousness of its rivers, and the richness of its minerals : and while he 
urged the Duke, to revoke a grant, so prejudicial to his interests, he pre- 
dicted, truly, that the attempt of his grantees, to colonize the vacant terri- 
tory, would disapi)oint their expectations of profit, and involve them in 
expenses, of which their remote posterity, only, could hope to gather the 
fruits.* 

VII. Whatever effect this remonstrance may have had upon the Duke, it 
was too late to revoke the grant; and Nicholls was compelled to surrender 
the government of New Jersej', to Philip Carteret, who arrived with a com- 
pany of thirty settlers, from England, and established themselves at Eliza- 
bethtown,'!' regarded as the capital of the infant province. At this period, 
however, there were only four houses here, and the name was given by him 
in honour of Lady Elizabeth Carteret.:}: Soon after his arrival, he despatch- 
ed emissaries to New England, and other adjacent colonies, to make known 
the proprietaries' " concessions," and to invite settlers ; whose efforts were 
attended with extraordinary success. Among those who came on this in- 
vitation, were the founders of Newark, who, in consequence of the inability 
of the governor, to pay the consideration required by the Indians, took, by 
his license, an Indian title, which was afterwards vexatiously set up against 
that of the proprietaries. 

It was the happy peculiarity in the lot of these colonists, that establishing 
themselves in the vicinity of countries already cultivated, they escaped the 
disasters and privations which had afflicted so severely, the first inhabitants 
of most of the other provinces. Their neighbourhood to the commex'ce of 
New York was considered highly advantageous during the infancy of their 
settlement ; though, in process of time, it was less favourably regai'ded, as 
preventing the rise of a domestic mart, which might give more effectual 
encouragement to their trade. Like the other colonists of North America, 
they enjoyed the advantage of transporting the arts, and habits of industry, 
from an old country, where they had been carried to high perfection, into a 
new land, which afforded them more liberal encouragement, and more unre- 
stricted scope. Their exertions for raising cattle and grain were speedily 
and amply rewarded, by a grateflil soil; and their friendly relations with 
the Indians enabled them to prosecute their labours, in undisturbed tranquil- 
lity, and to add to them a beneficial trafhc, in peltry, with the roving tribes, 
by which the adjacent forests were inhabited. Their connexion with New 
York, also, gave them the advantage of the alliance, which subsisted between 
that colony, and the powerful confederacy of the Five Nations, whose influ- 
ence extending to all the tribes of the new settlement, procured its inhabi- 
tants entire exemption from Indian war. Recommended by the salubrity of 
the climate, as by its many other advantages, it is not surprising that New 
Jersey was soon celebrated by the early writers, with higher commendations 

the advent of the Europeans, the Indians made their strings and belts, of small pieces 
of wood, stained black or white. For want of proper tools, few were made of sheik, 
though highly valued. But the Europeans soon manufactured them of the latter ma- 
terial, neatly and abundantly. The value of this Indian money, was raised by pro- 
clamation, in 1673, from the governor and council of New York, commanding that, 
" instead of eight white and four black, six white and three black, should pass for a 
stiver, and three times so much, the value in silver. — Neio York Records. 

* Grahame's Col. Hist. t August, 1665. \ Elizabethtown Bill. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 29 

than any other of the colonies. The proprietaries, stimulated by the hope of 
a rich revenue, industriously proclaimed its advantages in Europe and Ame- 
rica, and, from time to time, despatched from England, vessels freighted 
with settlers, and stores, to reinforce the numbers, and supply the wants of 
their people. 

VIII. But the period to which they had looked, for the fruition of their 
hopes, demonstrated their fallacy ; and the peace of the province was un- 
happily interrupted by the arrival of the day fixed for the payment of the 
proprietary quit rents. The first demand of this tribute excited universal 
disgust among the colonists, who expressed greater unwillingness, than in- 
ability, to comply with it. A party among them, including the few settlers 
who had seated themselves under the authority of Colonel NichoUs, refused 
to acknowledge the title of the proprietaries, and in opposition to it, set up 
the Indian title, which we have already noticed, and also, the right of 
government within the tract, thus conveyed to them. And the better to sup- 
port this pretence, they prevailed on James Carteret, a weak and dissolute 
natural son of Sir George, to assume the government, as by their election, 
and under an alleged proprietary title, which, he asserted, he was not obliged 
to show.* For two years, the governor, Philip Carteret, maintained an in- 
effectual struggle, to enforce the claims of his employers ; until, at length, 
the popular discontent broke forth into insurrection — his officers were im- 
prisoned, their estates confiscated — and he was compelled to fly from the 
province, and to seek redress in England, leaving John Berry, as deputy 
Governor, and James Bollen, Secretary of the Province.f His return, with 
strengthened authority, was retarded by the unexpected events of the follow- 
ing year, when New York, being reconquered by Holland, New Jersey was 
again united to the province of New Netherlands. 

IX. The second war with Holland, most wantonly and unjustly provoked 
by the dissolute Charles, in subserviency to the ambition of Louis XIV., was 
declared, March 17th, 1672. A small squadron despatched from Holland, 
under the command of Binkes and Evertzen, to destroy the commerce of the 
English colonics, having performed that service, with great effect on the 
Virginia coast, was induced to attempt a more important enterprise, by in- 
telligence of the negligent security of the Governor of New York. The 
Dutch had the good fortune to arrive before this, their ancient seat, while 
Lovelace, the Governor, was absent, and the command was exercised by 
Captain Maiming, who, by his own subsequent avowal, and the more credible 
testimony of his conduct, was a traitor and a coward. Now was reversed 
the scene, which had been presented on the invasion by Nicholls. The 
English inhabitants prepared to defend themselves, and offered their assist- 
ance to Manning ; but he obstructed their preparations, rejected their aid, 
and on the first intelligence of the enemy's approach, struck his flag, even 
before their vessels were in sight. As the fleet advanced, the gamson de- 
monstrated their readiness to fight, but in a transport of fear, he forbade a 
gun to be fired, under pain of death, and surrendered the place, uncondition- 
ally, to the invaders. After this extraordinary and unaccountable conduct, 
Manning had the impudence to repair to England, whence, he returned, in 
the following year, after the province had been given up, by the Dutch. He 
was tried, by a court martial, on a charge of treachery and cowardice, ex- 
pressed in the most revolting terms; which, confessing to be true, he re- 
ceived a sentence almost as extraordinary as his conduct; — "that, though 
he deserved death, yet, because he had, since the surrender, been in England, 
and seen the King and the Duke, it was adjudged that his sword should be 

* 1670. t 1672. 



30 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

broken over his head, in public, before the city hall ; and himself rendered 
incapable of wearing a sword, and of serving his majesty for the future, in 
any public trust."* The old maxim, that, grace was disi)ensed by the mere 
look of a king, was respected on this occasion. The Dutcli commanders, in 
their triumph, imitated the moderation and prudence of NichoUs; and assur- 
ing the citizens of their rights and possessions, gratified the Dutch colonists, 
and left the English cause of complaint, only against their pusillanimous 
commander. Like moderation being tendered to the other districts of the 
province, on condition of sending deputies, to swear allegiance to the 
States-General, induced the whole to submit.f The Dutch dominion was 
restored more suddenly than it had been overthrown, and the name of 
New Netherlands was once more revived — but was not destined to long 
endurance. 

Great consternation prevailed in the adjoining English colonies. The 
government of Connecticut, with apparent simplicity, that ludicrously con- 
trasts with the ordinary astutia of her people, sent a deputation to the Dutch 
admirals, to x-emonstrate against their usurpation of dominion, over the terri- 
tory of England, and the property of her subjects; to desire them to explain 
the meaning of their conduct, and their further intentions, and to warn them, 
that the united colonies of New England, entrusted with the defence of their 
sovereign dominions, in America, would be faithful to their trust. The 
Dutch commanders, as they well might, expressed surprise at the terms of 
this message, but declared, that commissioned by their country, to assail her 
enemies, whilst they applauded the fidelity of the English, to their sovereign, 
they would imitate the good example, and endeavour to prove equally faith- 
ful to the States-General. Active preparations for war, were, forthwith, 
made by Connecticut, and the confederate colonies; but, as each party 
stood on the defensive, only a few insignificant skirmishes took place, 
before winter suspended military operations. Early in the following spring, 
the controversy was terminated, without further bloodshed, by the treaty 
of peace, concluded at London, and the restoration of New York, to the 
English.:]: 

X. Doubts had been raised, as to the validity of the Duke of York's title, 
because granted whilst the Dutch were in full and peaceful possession of the 
country ; and which, though originally good, seemed to have been impaired 
by the subsequent conquest. The Duke deemed it prudent to remedy this 
defect, and to signalize the resumption of his proprietary functions, by a new 
patent. Another cause, however, may have contributed to this measure. — 
He probably, supposed, that it would afford him an opportunity of dispensing 
with his grant, to Berkeley and Carteret. It was pretended, that the Dutch 
conquest, had extinguished the proprietary rights, and that the country had 
been acquired, de novo, to the crown. A new charter recited the former 
grant, and confirmed to him the whole which that had covered. The mis- 
fortune, and evident incapacity of Lovelace, precluded his re-appointment to 
the office of governor, which was conferred on Edmund Andross, who dis- 
graced his superior talents, by the unprincipled zeal and activity, with which 
he devoted them to the arbitrary designs of his master. 

In him, and his council, were vested all the functions of government, 
legislative and executive, and their power was extended over New Jersey. 
It seems, however, that the Duke wanted either resolution or authority, to 
effectuate his iniquitous intentions; for, on the application of Sir George Car- 
teret, he promised the renewal of his charter, which, after some delay and 
hesitation, he performed. Previous to this second grant, it would seem, that 

* Smith's New York. t July, 1673. | 28th February, 1674. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 31 

Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, had agreed upon a partition of the 
province, since the country described therein, was bounded, on the south- 
west, by a Une drawn from Barnagat Creek to the Rancocus. But, though 
he finally consented to restore New Jersey, he endeavoured to evade the 
full performance of his engagement, pretending to have reserved certain 
rights of sovereignty over it, which Andross seized every opportunity of 
asserting. 

XI. In the commencement of the year 1675, Philip Carteret returned to 
New Jersey, and resumed the government of the settlements, in the eastern 
part of the province. The inhabitants, who had experienced the rigours of 
conquest, and the arbitrary rule of Andross, readily received him; and as 
he postponed the payment of their quit rents, to a future day, and published 
a new set of " concessions,^'' by Sir George Carteret, a peaceable subordina- 
tion was once more established in the colony. These new " concessions," 
however, restricted the broad grant of political freedom, originally framed, 
by giving to the governor and council, the power of naturalization, the right 
to approve such ministers as might be chosen by the several corporations, 
and to establish their maintenance ; granting liberty, however, to all per- 
sons, to keep and maintain what preachers they pleased. They authorized 
the governor, also, to appoint the times and places of meeting of the General 
Assembly, and to adjourn them at pleasure, and to separate the counsellors 
and delegates into two chambers.* 

XII. Yet, the only disquiet, during several years, arose from the efforts 
of Andross, from time to time, to enforce the unjust pretensions of the Duke. 
Governor Carteret, in hope of procuring to his people, a share of the advan- 
tages, which the neighbouring colony derived from her commerce, attempted 
to establish a direct trade between England and New Jersey. But Andross 
earnestly opposed this proper measure, as one injurious to New York ; and 
by confiscating vessels engaged in such trade, extinguished the New Jersey 
commercial enterprise in its infancy. In addition to this outrage, he endea- 
voured, by various exactions, to render the colonists tributary to his govern- 
ment; and even had the insolence, by a force despatched to Elizabethtown, 
to arrest governor Carteret, and convey him prisoner to New York. When 
complaints of these proceedings were made to the Duke, he evinced the same 
indecision and duplicity, that had characterized all his recent conduct. He 
could not, he said, consent to depart from a prerogative which had always 
belonged to him; yet, he directed the relaxation of its exercise, as a matter 
of favour to his friend, Sir George Carteret.f But the province had now 
been divided into two proprietary jurisdictions ; and it was in the western 
part, where Carteret had ceased to have an interest, that the Duke most exer- 
cised his prerogative. The circumstances which attended this pai'tition, 
are not the least interesting of the provincial histoiy of the state. 

* Learning and Spicer's Col. 

t Douglas ii. 272. S. Smith 68, 77. Chalmers, GIG, 618. Smith's N. Y. 45. 
Grahame's Col. Hist. 



32 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER III. 

From the Division of the Province, into East and West Jersey, to the 
Purchase of East Jersey, hy Quakers. 

I. Motives of the Quakers for Emigration. — II. Sale of Lord Berkeley, to Byllinge 
and Fenwicke. — III. Assignment of West Jersey to William Penn, and others 
in Trust, for the Creditors of Byllinge. — IV. " Concessions," or Constitution of 
West Jersey. — V. Measures of the Proprietaries to promote Colonization. — VI. 
Commissioners appointed to Administer the Government of West Jersey — their 
Proceedings. — VII. Increase of Emigrants — Success of their Efforts. — VIII. 
Death of Sir George Carteret — Successful Efforts of the Colonists, to procure 
Relief, from the Jurisdiction of New York. — IX. Extraordinary Pretensions of 
Byllinge. — X. Resisted by the Proprietaries, in General Assembly — Samuel 
Jennings elected Governor — Proceeds to England, as Deputy of the Assem- 
bly — The Right of Government, purchased by Doctor Daniel Coxe, and subse- 
quently transferred to the West Jersey Society. — XII. Meeting of the First 
Assembly — Proceedings. — XIII. Modification of the Law, relating to Religious 
Faith. — XIV. Death of Carteret — his Disposition of East Jersey. — XV. Troubles 
at the. Close of the Administration of Philip Carteret. — XVI. Review of the 
Policy of the Proprietary Governments. — XVII. Comparison between the Laws 
of East and West Jersey. 

I. Soon after the restoration of Charles II., the Quakers became objects 
of suspicion and dread, to his government, from a mistaken supposition, 
that, like the Fifth Monarchy men, or Millenarians, they held themselves 
entitled to overthrow, even by force, every temporal authority, which ob- 
structed the advent of their cherished spiritual dominion. This suspicion 
was increased by the insurrection of the Millenarians, in the first year of the 
restored monarchy; and the refusal of the Quakers to give assurance of 
fidelity to the king, by taking the oath of allegiance. In consequence of this 
error, they were assailed witli a rigour and reality of persecution, which 
hitherto they had never experienced, in England. They were, first, in- 
cluded with the Millenarians, in a royal proclamation, forbidding either, to 
assemble under pretence of worship, elsewhere, than in the parochial church- 
es ; but were soon afterwards, distinguished by the provisions of an act of 
parliament, that applied exclusively to them.selves.* This statute enacted, 
that all Quakers refusing to take the oath of allegiance, and assembling to 
the number of five persons, above sixteen years of age, should, for the first 
and second offences, incur the penalty of fine, and imprisonment; and for 
the third, skould cither abjure the realm, or be transported beyond it. Nay, 
so cordial was the dislike entertained by the court, against them, that, in- 
stead of using their complaints as cause of quarrel, v/ith the obnoxious pro- 
vince of Massachusetts, the enmity in this province against the Quakers, 
was sustained : and the authorities there, were invited to a repetition of the 
severities, which had been, at one time, prohibited. " We cannot be under- 
stood," said the king's letter of 1662, after urging general toleration, " hereby, 
to direct or wish, that any indulgence should be granted to Quakers, whose 
principles, being inconsistent with any kind of government, we have found it 
neces.sary, with the advice of our parliament here, to make a sharp law 
against them ; and are well content, that you do the like, there." 

These unfavourable and erroneous sentiments, it is true, were shortly 
after exchanged by the king, for a more just estimate of Quaker principles. 
But, the alteration in his sentiments, produced no relaxation of the legal 

* Grahame's Col. Hist. vol. ii. p. 332. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 33 

severities to which the Quakers were subjected ; and was attended with no 
other consequence, than a famihar and apparently confidential intercourse, 
between him, and some of their more eminent leaders, together with many- 
expressions of regard and good will, on his part, which he was unwilling or 
unable to substantiate. In the persecution, now commenced against all 
classes of dissenters, the Quakers were exposed to a more than equal share 
of severity, from the unbending zeal, with which they refused to conform, 
even in appearance, to any one of the obnoxious requisitions, and the eager- 
ness with which they seized every opportunity of manifesting their forbidden 
practices, and signifying their peculiar gifts of patient suffering, and untiring 
perseverance. In every part of England, they were hai-assed with fine and 
imprisonment, and great numbers were transported to Barbadoes, and to the 
American settlements;* where, they formed a valuable addition to the 
English population, and quickly discovered, that their persecutors, in expell- 
ing them from their native land, had, unconsciously, contributed to ame- 
liorate their condition. Instead of the wild enthusiasts who had rushed 
with headlong zeal to New England, in quest of persecution, there was now 
introduced into America, a numerous body, of wiser and milder, professors 
of Quakerism, whose views were confmed to the enjoyment of that liberty of 
worship, for the sake of which, they had been driven into exile. 

In several of the American provinces, as in the island of Barbadoes, they 
experienced full toleration, and friendly r'^'ception from the governments, 
and inhaliitants; and, even in those provinces, where they were still objects 
of suspicion and severity, they rendered their principles less unpopular, by 
demonstrating with what useful industry, and peaceful virtue, they might be 
combined. Contented with the toleration of their worship, and diligently 
improving the advantages of their new lot, many of the exiles obtained, 
in a few years, to plentiful and prosperous estates : and so willing were they 
to reconcile their tenets, with existing institutions of the countries, in which 
they were established, that they united in the purchase and employment of 
negro slaves. Perhaps, the deceitfulness of the human heart, was never 
more strikingly exhibited, than in this monstrous association of the charac- 
ters of exiles, for conscience sake, and the principles of luiiversal peace and 
philanthropy, with the condition of slave owners and the exercise of arbi- 
trary power. Yet, in process of time, much good was educed from this 
evil ; and the inconsistency of one generation of Quakers, enabled their suc- 
cessors, to exhibit to the world, a memorable example of disinterested re- 
gard, for the rights of human nature, and a magnanimous sacrifice to the 
requirements of piety and justice."!' 

The principles of the sect continued, meanwhile, to propagate themselves, 
in Britain, to an extent, that more than supplied the losses occasioned by the 
banishment of their professors. Almost all the other sects had suffered an 
abatement of piety and reputation, from the furious disputes, and vindictive 
struggles, that attended the civil wars; and while the Quakers were exempted 
from this reproach, they were no less advantageously distinguished, by a 
severity of persecution, which enabled them to display, in an eminent de- 
gree, the primitive graces of Christian character. It was, now, that their 
cause was espoused, and their doctrines defended, by writers, who yielded 
to none of their contemporaries, in learning, eloquence, or ingenuity, and 
who have not been equalled, nor even approached, by any succeeding 
Quaker authors. The doctrines that had floated, loosely, through the 

* 

* In one vessel alone, which was despatched from England, in March, 1664, sixty 
Quaker convicts, were shipped, for America. — Williamson's North Carolina, i. 82. 
t Grahame's Col. Hist. 
E 



34 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Quaker society, were collected and reduced to an orderly system ; the disci- 
pline necessary to preserve from anarchy, and restrain the fantastic sallies, 
which the genuine principle of Quakerism, is peculiarly apt to beget, was 
explained and enforced ;* and in the midst of a persecution that drove many 
of the Presbyterians of Scotland to despair and rebellion, the Quakers began 
to add to their zeal and resolution, that mildness of address and tranquil 
propriety of thought, by which they are universally characterized. Yet, 
it was long before the wild and enthusiastic spirit, which had distinguished 
the rise of the society, was banished entirely from its bosom ; and while it 
continued, a considerable diversity of sentiment and language, prevailed 
among the brethren. This diversity was manifest, particularly, in the senti- 
ments entertained relative to the duty of confronting persecution. While all 
considered it unlawful to forsake their ordinances, on account of the prohi- 
bition of their oppressors, many held it, a dereliction of duty, to abandon 
their country, lor the sake of their enjoyment in a foreign land. Consider- 
ing Quakerism as a revival of primitive Christianity, and themselves as fated 
to repeat the fortunes of the first Christians, and to gain the victory over the 
world, by evincing the fortitude of martyrs, they had associated the success 
of their cause with the infliction and endurance of persecution, and deemed 
retreat, to be flight from the contest between truth and error. The promul- 
gation, rather than the toleration, of their principles, seemed their great 
object; and their success was incomplete, without the downfall of the esta- 
blished hierarchy. But others of more moderate temper, though willing to 
sustain the character of the primitive Christian, believed it not inconsistent 
with the exercise of that liberty, expressly given to the apostles, when per- 
secuted in one city, to flee to another. Disturbed in their religious assem- 
blies, harassed and impoverished by fines and imprisonments, and withal, 
continually exposed to violent removal from their native land, they were led 
to meditate the advantages of voluntary expatriation with their families and 
substance; and, naturally, to cast their eyes on that country, which, not- 
withstanding the severities once inflicted on their brethren, in some of its 
provinces, had always presented an asylum to the victims of persecution. 
Their regards were further directed to this quarter, by the number of their 
fellow sectaries, who were now established in several of the North American 
states, and the freedom, comfort, and tranquillity, which they were there ena- 
bled to enjoy. f 

II. Such was the situation of the Quakers when Lord Berkeley, alarmed 
by the insubordination of the planters of New Jersey, and dissatisfied with 
the pecuniary prospects of his adventure in colonization, offered his share of 
his province for sale. He soon received the otfer of a price, that was satis- 
factory, from two English Quakers, John Fenwicke and Edward Byllinge ; 
and on the 18th March, 1673, in consideration of one thousand pounds, con- 
veyed his interest in the province, to the first, in trust for the other. A dis- 
pute arising between these parties, respecting their proportions of interest ; to 
avoid the scandal of a law suit, it was submitted to William Penn, who now 
held a conspicuous place in the society of Friends. With some diffi- 
culty, he succeeded in making an award satisfactory to both parties. Fen- 
wicke, in 1675, sailed from London, for the new purchase, in the ship Grif- 

* See Appendix, C. 

t Gough and Sewell's History of the Quakers, vol. i. chap. 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8, vol. ii. 
chap. 4. Neal's History of the Puritans, vol. iv. Grahame's Col. Hist. From the 
last work I have drawn, principally, the preceding viev/ of the Quaker motives for 
emigration. It has, however, suffered such modification, in my hands, as to render 
me responsible for it. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 35 

fith, with his family and several Quaker associates.* This was the first 
English vessel that came to New Jersey with emigrants. After a prospe- 
rous voyage, she landed her freight, at a rich and pleasant spot on a branch 
of the Delaware, to which Fenwicke, on account, probably, of its peaceable 
aspect, gave the name of Salem. 

III. Further, immediate, efforts, at colonization, were prevented b}^ the 
commercial embarrassments of Byllinge, who had sustained such losses, in 
trade, as rendered it necessary for him to assign his property for the indem- 
nification of his creditors, with a resulting trust, in whatever balance there 
might be, for himself. Penn, unwillingly, at the solicitation of some of the 
creditors, became joint assignee, with Gawn Lawrie and Nicholas Lucas, 
(Quakers and creditors) of Eyllinge's interest, in New Jersey. These trus- 
tees, under the pressure of circumstances, sold a considerable number of 
shares, of the undivided moiety, to different purchasers, who, thereby, be- 
came proprietaries, in common, with them. 

IV. As all men, when, now, emigrating to America, sought, not only re- 
ligious and civil freedom, but, also, the security which these could receive in 
the form of permanent records or constitutions, the proprietaries of West 
New Jersey, published their ^'•concessions,'''' comprising many of the provi- 
sions of the instrument formed by Berkeley and Carteret, together with others, 
originating with themselves. The management of the estate and affairs of 
the province, was committed to the commissioners, appointed by the proprie- 
taries, with power to divide and sell the lands, to lay out towns, and, gene- 
rally, to govern the province according to the " concessions," until March, 
1680; at which time, and thence, annually, ten commissioners were to be 
elected by the people, until a General Assembly should be chosen. The 
territory was to be divided into one hundred lots, or proprietaries, ten of 
which, to be assigned to Fenwicke, and the remainder to the assignees of 
Byllinge; and the hundred proprietaries were to be divided into ten divi- 
sions or tribes, and the inhabitants of each, were empowered to elect a com- 
missioner; and, for the avoidance of" noise and confusion, all elections were 
directed to be by ballot. Lands were given to settlers upon principles analo- 
gous to those adopted in the concessions of Berkeley and Carteret. 

The instrument then sets forth, the charter or fundamental laws, and de- 
clares, that, they shall be the foundation of the government, not to be altered 
by the legislative authority: that every member of the Assembly, who shall, 
designedly, wilfully, and maliciously move anything subversive of such con- 
stitution, on proof, by seven honest and reputable persons, shall be proceeded 
against, as a traitor to the government : that, such constitution should be 
recorded, in a fair table, at the Assembly house, and read at the commence- 
ment and dissolution of every Assembly, and be, also, written in fair tables 
in every common hall of justice, and read, in solemn manner, four times 
every year, in presence of the people, by the magistrates: that, as no men, 
nor number of men, upon earth, had power to rule over men's consciences, 
no one should, at any time, be called in question, or hurt in person, privilege, 
or estate, for the sake of his opinion, judgment, faith, or worship, towards 
God, in matters of religion : that, no inhabitant should be deprived of life, 
limb, liberty, privilege, or estate, without due trial and judgment, passed by 
twelve good and lawful men of his neighbourhood ; and in all trials, the 

* There came passengers, with Fenwicke, Edward Champness, Edward Wade, 
Samuel Wade, John Smith and wife, Samuel Nicholls, Richard Guj', Richard Noble, 
Richard Hancock, John Pledger, Hypolite Lefever, and John Matlock. These, and 
others with them, were masters of families. Among the servants of Fenwicke, were 
John Adams and Samuel Hedge, who, subsequently, married his daughters. — Smith'& 



36 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

accused might peremptory challenge thirty-five jurors, and for cause shown, 
the whole array : that, in civil cases, no inhabitant of the province should 
be arrested, until after summons and default of appearance; and imprison- 
ment for debt, on surrender of the property of the debtor was prohibited : 
that, every court should consist of three justices or commissioners, who, 
sitting with the jury, should assist them in matters of law, but should pro- 
nounce such judgment, only, as the jury should give; to whom, only, the 
right of judgment belonged, in all causes civil and criminal ; and should the 
commissioners refuse, then judgment to be pronounced by one of the jury : that, 
in all causes, civil and criminal, proof should be made by " the solemn and 
plain averment" of, at least, two honest and reputable persons ; and perjury, in 
civil causes, was punishable by the penalty the one witnessed against might 
suffer, and in criminal cases, by fine, disqualification from giving evidence, 
and from holding otHce : that, in criminal cases, not felonious, the injured 
party might compound the offence before, or remit the penalty after, judg- 
ment: that, theft should be punished, by twofold restitution, and for lack of 
means, by the labour of the offender, until such restitution should be made, 
or as twelve men of the neighbourhood should determine, not extending to 
life or limb ; and that breach of the peace, should be punished according to 
the nature of the offence, at the discretion of twelve men of the neighbour- 
hood, appointed by the commissioners. 

Much providence was displayed in the care of the estates of decedents. 
Wills were to be registered, and inventories filed, and security given, by 
executors, before administration. In case of intestacy, like provision was 
made in regard to administrators ; and to secure two parts of the estate, 
for the children, and one-third to the wife; and if there were no child, half 
to the next of kin, and half to the wife : and guardians were appointed, of 
the persons and estates, by the commissioners. Where parents died, leaving 
children and no estates, the commissioners were to " appoint persons to 
take care for the children, to bring them up at the charge of the public stock 
of the province, or a tax to be levied by twelve men of the neighbourhood. 
No forfeiture was incurred, by suicide, or by way of deodand; and in cases 
of murder and treason, the sentence, and way of execution thereof, was lefi 
to the General Assembly to determine, as they, in the wisdom of the Lord, 
should judge meet. 

As soon as the divisions or tribes, or such like distinctions should be 
made, the inhabitants, on the first of October, yearly, were to elect one pro- 
prietor or freeholder, for each proprietary, " to be deputies, trustees, or 
representatives, for the benefit, service, and behoof of the people ; and whose 
number was a hundred, corresponding to the number of the proprietaries. 
Provision was made for the purity of elections, which were not to be deter- 
mined by the common and confused way of cries and voices ; but by putting 
balls in balloting boxes, for the prevention of all partiality, and whereby 
every man might freely choose, according to his own judgment and honest 
intention. This supreme legislature was empowered, to meet and adjourn 
within the year, at pleasure ; to fix the quorum for business, at not less than 
one-half of the whole, and the votes of two-thirds of the quorum were re- 
quired for determination. The question frequently agitated, relative to the 
obligation of the representative, to obey the instructions of his constituents, 
was, here, fully decided. He was holden, justly, to be their deputy or agent ; 
and they were required, at his election, to give him their instructions at large, 
and he, to enter into indenture, under hand and seal, covenanting and oblig- 
ing himself, in that capacity, to do nothing, but what should tend to the fit 
service and behoof of those that sent and employed him ; and on failure of 
trust, or breach of covenant, he might be questioned in that or the next 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 37 

Assembly, by any of his electors; And further, each member was allowed 
one shilling, per day, payable by his constituents, not in compensation of his 
services, but that he might be known, as the servant of the people. The 
Assembly was, also, authorized, to constitute and appoint, ten commissioners 
of estate, for managing the affairs of the province, during the adjournments, 
and dissolution of the General Assembly : To enact all laws for the well- 
government of the province : To constitute all courts, together with the limits, 
power and jurisdiction thereof: To appoint the judges for such time as they 
may deem meet, not more than two years, their salaries, fees, and appella- 
tions : To appoint commissioners of the public seals, treasurers, and chief- 
justices, embassadors, and collectors. But the justices of the peace, and 
constables, were to be chosen by the people.* 

The faults of this system of government are radical and glaring. A 
many-headed executive, possessing a temporary, and reflected portion only, 
of political power, necessarily engendered jealousy, division and favouritism ; 
and distracted councils, produced contempt and disobedience. The legisla- 
ture, composed of one house, was exposed to the evils of precipitation : and 
choosing from itself the executive, and the greater proportion of the officers 
of the commonwealth, to intrigue and corruption. Courts, without perma- 
nent judges — with juries, determining, in all cases, the law, as well as the 
fact, would disi'egard the established rules of jurisprudence, and produce 
uncertainty in the administration of justice; whilst the limited tenure of 
office, made incumbents unskilful and rapacious. Yet, this instrument con- 
tained many excellencies, and revealed principles of political science, which 
the enlightened philosophy of the present age, has not yet fully developed. 
Thus, the most entire liberty of conscience, was established ; and the politi- 
cal power was emphatically in the people, who were absolutely free to pursue 
their own happiness; — the right of suffrage was universal — the personal 
liberty of the citizen was cherished, and the barbarism of imprisonment for 
debt, whether upon initiatory or final process, was abolished. The punish- 
ment of crimes, had in view, the reparation of injury, rather than the inflic- 
tion of vengeance ; and in no instance, did it extend to the loss of life or limb. 
The evidences of property were secured by registering offices ; — and rules 
for the treatment of the aborigines, were framed upon principles of justice 
and humanity. The love of the proprietaries, for civil and religious freedom, 
and democratic rule so thoroughly established in the Quaker societies, was 
certainly conspicuous in their concessions, and had they possessed as much 
experience, as zeal, they would, probably, have framed a finished system. 

V. With the publication of this instrument, the proprietaries gave a spe- 
cial recommendation of the province, to the members of their own religious 
fraternity, which produced an immediate display of that diversity of senti- 
ment, which had begun to prevail in the society. Many, with lively expec- 
tations of future happiness, prepared to embark for the New Utopia ; whilst 
others regarded with jealousy, and vehemently opposed, a secession, which 
they deemed pusillanimous. To moderate the expectations of the one, and 
appease the jealousy of the other, of these parties, William Penn, and his 
colleagues, addressed a circular letter, to " Friends," solemnly cautioning 
them, against leaving their country, from a timid reluctance to bear testi- 
mony to their principles, from an impatient, unsettled temper, or from any 
motive inferior, to a deliberate conviction, that the God of all the earth, 
opened their way, and sanctioned their removal. And admonishing them, 
to remember, that, although Quaker principles were established, in the pro- 
vince, only Quaker safeguards could be interposed for their protection ; and 

* See Appendix, D. 



38 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

that, religious toleration must depend for its continuance, on the aid of the 
Being, with whose will they believe it to concur, and could never be defend- 
ed by force, against the arm of the oppressor. To this admonitory letter, 
there was annexed, " A Description of West New Jersey," correcting some 
trivial exaggerations, which had been bruited abroad, of the excellence of the 
soil, and climate ; but conveying, in the main, a most inviting representation 
of the country. This neither did, nor was intended, to repress the ardour 
of Quaker emigration. Numerous purchases of colonial land, were made 
by Quakers, in various parts of England ; and in the course of the year 
1677, upwards of four hundred persons of this persuasion, transported them- 
selves to West New Jersey ; many of whom, were persons of property and 
respectability, who carried with them, their children and servants. 

The first care of the assignees of Byllinge, was to make a partition of the 
province, between them and Sir George Carteret, which was effected by a 
deed, quintipartite,* comprehending, Sir George, William Penn, Gawn 
Lawrie, of London, merchant, Nicholas Lucas, of Hertford, malster, and 
Edward Byllinge, of Westminster; directing a straight line to be drawn, 
through the province, from north to south, from the most southerly point of 
the east side of Little Egg Harbour, to the most northerly point, or boundary 
on the Delaware. To the portions thus separated, were given the names of 
East and West Jersey, respectively."!" 

Soon after,:]: letters were addressed by the West Jersey proprietaries, Penn, 
Lawrie, Lucas, Byllinge, (who had still an equitable interest,) and John 
Eldridge, and Edmond Warner, who had become the assignees of Fenwicke's 
portion, to Richard Hartshorne, Richard Guy, and James Wasse. The 
two first were Quakers, resident in East Jersey, and the last, an agent, sent 
out specially, from Europe. They were instructed to resist and control 
some irregular proceedings of Fenwicke, in the disposition of lands, to pre- 
pare for the many emigrants about to depart for the colony, to purchase 
lands from the natives, and to select a site for, and lay out a town of four or 
five thousand acres.§ Among the purchasers of West New Jersey, were 
two companies, one, of Friends from Yorkshire, and the other of Friends 
from London, who contracted for very considerable shares, for which they . 
received patents. || 

VI. In 1677, the pi'omised commissioners were sent out, by the proprieta- 
ries, to administer the government, pursuant to the concessions.** They 
embarked on board the Kent, Gregory Marlow, master, the second ship 
from London, to West Jersey. Whilst on the Thames, Charles II., in his 
pleasuring barge, came along side, and observing the number of passengers, 
and learning whither they were bound, asked if they were all Quakers, and 
gave them his blessing. After a tedious passage, they arrived at New 
Castle, on the 16th of August; and soon after, two hundred and thirty, land- 
ed at the mouth of Raccoon creek, where the Swedes had some habitations. 
Notwithstanding their number, the greatest inconvenience which they suffer- 
ed, was want of room for lodgings; and some terror, from the abimdance of 

* Datedlst July, 1676. 

t Learning and Spicer's Collection. 

X 26th August, 1676. 

§ The surveyot proposed for this duty, was a certain Augustin, of Maryland, or 
William Elliot, of York river, Virginia. 

II See Appendix, E. 

** These commissioners were Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, John Kinsey, John 
Penford, Joseph Helmsley, Robert Stacy, Benjamin Scott, Richard Guy, and Thomas 
Foulke. Richard Guy came in the first ship. John Kinsey died at Shackamaxon, 
Kensington, soon after his landing; his remains were interred at Burlington, in 
ground appropriated for a burial ground, but now a street. — Smith's J^'cw Jersey. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 39 

snakes, which were occasionally seen in their chambers, or crawling over 
the low roofs of their dwellings.* The vessel on the passage had dropped 
anchor at Sandy Hook, whilst the commissioners proceeded to New York, 
to exhibit their commission to Andross. He treated them civilly, but demand- 
ed, if they had any communication from the Duke, his master. This mea- 
sure, obviously requisite, the commissioners had strangely neglected, and 
when Andross declined to recognise their authority, instead of extenuating 
their imprudence, they strenuously insisted upon their rights, under the assign- 
ment of Lord Berkeley. Andross cut short the controversy, by pointing to 
his sword ; and as this was an argument, which they could not retort, they 
submitted to his jurisdiction, until they could obtain redress from England; 
taking magistrate's commissions from him, and conducting the land affairs 
according to their instructions. Fenwicke, who neglected to take a like pre- 
caution, in relation to his tenth, was twice seized, and detained, some time, 
prisoner, in New York. 

Upon their arrival in the Delaware, the commissioners obtained, from the 
Swedes, interpreters, by whose agency they conducted their negotiations 
with the Indians, and purchased the lands from Timber Creek to Rancocus, 
from Oldman's Creek to Timber Creek, and from Rancocus to the Assun- 
pink, by three several conveyances. f Not having sufficient goods to make 
payment for the land last purchased, they covenanted not to settle any por- 
tion of it, until full payment should have been made. After examination of 
the country, the Yorkshire commissioners, Ilelmesly, Emley, and Stacy, on 
behalf of their constituents, chose the tract between Rancocus, and the Falls, 
which hence was called the first tenth; whilst the London commissioners, 
Penford, Clive, Wills and Scott, selected that below Timber creek, which 
was called the second tenth. Disastisfied, however, with this separation, 
the Yorkshire men proposed to the Londoners, that, if they would unite in 
establishing a town, the latter should have the larger proportion, in conside- 
ration, that the Yorkshire men had the better land in the woods. These 
terms were embraced, and one Noble, a surveyor who came in the first 
ship, was employed to lay out the town plot, running the main street and 
dividing the land on either side, into lots, giving those on the east, to the 
Yorkshire, and those on the west, to the London, proprietors. The town 
thus founded, was first called New Beverly, after Bridlington, but the name 
was soon changed to Burlington, which it now bears. § 

These pioneers having arrived late in the autumn, the winter was much 
spent, before they could erect permanent dwellings. In the mean time, they 
lived in wigwams, built after the manner of the Indians, and subsisted chiefly 
on Indian corn and venison, suppUed by the natives. These simple people, 
less corrupted, than they afterwards became, from the use of ardent spirits, 
were kind to their guests, notwithstanding some malicious insinuations, that 
the strangers had sold to them the small pox in their match coats; that 
distemper having attacked them at this period. 

VII. In the same year arrived two other vessels. The Willing Mind, 
John Newcomb, commander, with about seventy passengers, dropped anchor, 
at Elsinburg, in November. She was soon after followed, by the fly boat, 
. Martha, of Burlington, Yorkshire, with one hundred and fourteen. On the 
10th December, 1768, came The Shield, from Hull, Daniel Townes, com- 
mander. When passing Coaquanock, the site of the present city of Phila- 
delphia, she ran so close to the shore, that in tacking, her spars struck the 

* Smith's N. J. 

t Dated, respectively, 10th September, 27th September, and 10th October, 1677. 

i Smith's N. J. § See Appendix, F. 



40 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

trees, and some one on board remarked, how fine a spot this was for a town. 
A fresh gale brought her to Burhngton, being the first vessel that came so 
far up the Delaware. She moored to a tree, and the next morning the pas- 
sengers came ashore on the ice. About the same period, another ship 
arrived from London, freighted with passengers.* 

Although compelled to endure the hardships inseparable from the occupa- 
tion of a desert land, these were quickly surmounted, by the industry and 
patience of the emigrants. Their town soon assumed a thriving appearance, 
and was rapidly enlarged by increasing members. In this, as in other, infant 
settlements of America, the success of the colonist was commonly propor- 
tioned to the original humility of his condition; and he, who emigrated as a 
servant, was frequently more prosperous than his master. Persevering in- 
dustry, temperance, and self-reliance, always reaped a full reward, whilst 
self-indulgence, and dependence upon hirelings, terminated in poverty. 

VIII. Sir George Carteret, proprietary of East Jersey, died in 1679; 
having derived so little benefit from his American territory, that he found it 
necessary to bequeath it to trustees, to be sold for the benefit of his creditors. 
The exemption, this district enjoyed, from the jurisdiction of the Duke ot 
York, had not contributed to moderate the discontent of the inhabitants ot 
West New Jersey, with his assumed illegal authority. They, incessantly, 
importuned him for redress, and were, at length, provoked by a tax of five 
per cent., which Andross imposed, on the importation of European merchan- . 
dise, to additional vehemence of complaint, and urgency of solicitation. 
Wearied, at length, with the importunity of these suitors, rather than moved 
by the justice of their complaint, the Duke referred the subject to commis- 
sioners, by whom, it was finally submitted to Sir William Jones.f 

The argument, in behalf of the colonists, on this occasion, prepared 
by William Penn, George Hutchinson, and others, chiefly Quakers, 
breathes a firm, undaunted spirit of liberty, worthy the founders of a North 
American commonwealth; and contains traces of those principles, which, 
subsequently, led the colonies to full emancipation.:}: " Thus then," they say, 
after a deduction of their title, " we came to buy that moiety, which belonged 
to Lord Berkeley, for a valuable consideration ; and in the conveyance he 
made us, powers of government are expressly granted ; for that, only, could 
have induced us to buy it : and the reason is plain, because to all prudent 
men, the government of a place is more inviting than the soil. For what is 
good land without good laws ? — the better the worse. And if we could not 
assure people, of an easy, and free, and safe government, both with respect 
to their spiritual and worldly property, — that is, an uninterrupted liberty ot 
conscience, and an inviolable possession of their civil rights and freedoms, 
by a just and wise government, — a- mere wilderness would be no encourage- 
ment; for it were madness to leave a free, good, and improved country, to 
plant in a wilderness, and there adventure many thousands of pounds, to 
give an absolute title to another person, to tax us at will and pleasure." 
Stating the tax imposed by Andross, they proceed : " This is one grievance; 
and for this, we make our application to have speedy redress, not as a burden 
only, with respect to the quantum or the way of levying it, or any circum- 
stance made hard by the irregularity of the officers, but as a wrong; for 

* See Appendix, G. t Grahame's Col. Hist. vol. ii. 344. 

i This document, found in Smith's History, is unnoticed by Chalmers ; and is im- 
perfectly abridged by Winterbotham (vol. ii. p 287). Grahame (vol. ii. p. 346) admits 
that Penn concurred in its presentation, and, probably, assisted in its composition; 
but denies that he was the sole author, as some of his biographers have insisted; sup- 
posing this pretension to be refuted, by the style of the document; in which, not the 
slightest resemblance is discernible, to any of his acknowledged productions. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 41 

we complain of a wrong, done us, and ask, yet, with modesty, quo jure? 
Tell us the title, by what right or law, are we thus used, that may a little 
mitigate our pain ? Your answer, hitherto, hath been this. That it was a 
conquered country ; and that the King, being the conqueror, has power to 
make laws, raise money, &c. ; and that this power jure regale, the King 
hath vested in the Duke ; and by that right and sovereignty, the Duke de- 
mands that custom we complain of. Natural right and humane prudence, 
oppose such doctrine all the world over ; for what is it, but to say, that peo- 
ple, free by law, under their prince at home, are at his mercy in the planta- 
tions abroad ; and why ? because he is a conqueror there, but still at the 
hazard of the hves of his own people, and at the cost and charge of the 
public. We would say more, but choose to let it drop. But our case is 
better yet; for the King's grant, to the Duke of York, is plainly restrictive 
to the laws and government of England. Now the constitution and go- 
vernment of England, as we humbly conceive, are so far from countenancing 
such authority, that it is made a fundamental in our constitution, that the 
King of England cannot, justly, take his subject's goods without their con- 
sent. This needs no more to be proved than a principle; his jus indigene, 
an home-born right, declared to be law by divers statutes." — " To give up 
the power of making laws, is to change the government, to sell, or rather, to 
resign, ourselves to the will of another ; and that for nothing. For, under 
favour, we buy nothing of the Duke, if not the right of an undisturbed co- 
lonizing, and that, as Englishmen, with no diminution, but expectation of 
some increase of those freedoms and privileges enjoyed in our own country ; 
for the soil is none of his ; 'tis the natives, by the jus gentium, the law of na- 
tions ; and it would be an ill argument to convert them to Christianity, to 
expel, instead of purchasing them, out of those countries. If then, the coun- 
try be theirs, it is not the Duke's : he cannot sell it ; then what have we 
bought?" — "To conclude this point, we humbly say, that we have not lost 
any part of our liberty, by leaving our country; for we leave not our King, 
nor our government by quitting our soil ; but we transmit to a place given 
by the same King, with express limitation to erect no polity contrary to the 
same established government, but as near as may be to it; and this varia- 
tion is allowed, but for the sake of emergencies, and that latitude, bounded 
by these words, for the good of the adventurer and planter." After this, as 
they term it, the " point of law" of the case, they proceed to insist upon the 
equity of it ; protesting that the " tax is not to be found in the Duke's con- 
veyances ; that it was an after business, a very surprise to the planter." — 
" This, in plain English, is under another name, paying for the same thing 
twice over." — "Custom, in all governments in the world, is laid upon trade; 
but this, upon planting, is unprecedented. Had we brought commodities to 
these parts to sell, made profit out of them, and returned to the advantage 
of traders, there had been some colour or pretence for this exaction ; but to 
require and force a custom, from persons, for coming to their property, their 
own terra fnna, their habitations ; in short, for coming home, is without a 
parallel. This is paying custom, not for trading, but for landing; not for 
merchandising, but planting." — " Besides there is no end of this power; for 
since we are, by this precedent, assessed without any law, and thereby ex- 
cluded our English right of common assent to taxes ; what security have we 
of any thing we possess 1 We can call nothing our own, but are tenants at 
will, not only for the soil, but for all our personal estates. We endure 
penury, and the sweat of our brows, to improve them, at our own hazard, 
only. This is to transplant, not from good to better, but from good to bad. 
This sort of conduct has destroyed government, but never raised one to any 
true greatness; nor ever will, in the Duke's territories, whilst so many coun- 
F 



42 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

tries, equally good, in soil and air, surround, with greater freedom and 
security. Lastly, the Duke's circumstances, and the people's jealousies, 
considered, wc humbly submit it, if there can be, in their opinion, a greater 
evidence of a design, to introduce an unlimited government, than both to 
exact such unterminated tax from English planters, and to continue it, after 
so many repeated complaints. And on the contrary, if there be any thing 
so happy to the Duke's present affairs, as the opportunity he has to free that 
country with his own hands, and to make us all owers of our liberty, to his 
favour and justice: So will Englishmen, here, know what to hope for, by 
the justice and kindness he shows to Englishmen there ; and all men, to see 
the just model of his government in New York, to be the scheme and draught 
in little, of his administration in Old England, at large, if the crown should 
ever devolve upon his head." 

Unpalatable as this argument must have been to the British court, and the 
counsellors of the Duke, at this period, it was triumphant. The commis- 
sioners were constrained to pronounce judgment, in conformity with the 
opinion of Jones, " that as the grant to Berkeley and Carteret, had reserved 
no profit or jurisdiction, the legality of the tax could not be defended." The 
Duke, therefore, without further delay, abandoned all claims on West Jersey, 
confirming the territory, or soil of the province, in the fullest terms, to Wil- 
liam Penn, Gawn Lawry, and Nicholas Lucas, trustees for Byllinge, and to 
John Eldridge, and Edmund Warner, assignees of Fenwicke, according to 
their several interests, whilst he conveyed, expressly, the government to Ed- 
ward Byllinge, his heirs and assigns.* And soon after, he made a like 
confirmation, in favour of the representatives of his friend. Sir George 
Carteret.f 

The forcible and spirited pleading, we have noticed, derives special inte- 
rest, from the recollection of the conflict, then waging between the advocates 
of liberty, and the abettors of arbitrary power. Probably, none of the 
writings of which that period Avas, abundantly, prolific, was characterized by 
a more magnanimous effort, for the presei-vation of liberty, than this first 
successful vindication, of the rights of^ New Jersey. Its most remarkable 
feature, is the strong and deliberate asseiiion, that no tax could be justly 
imposed upon them, without their consent. The report of the commissioners, 
and the relief that followed, was a virtual concession of this principle, which 
subsequently triumphed more signally, in the independence of the United 
States.:}: 

* Indenture, dated 6th August, 1680. 

t 14th March, 1682. Learning and Spicer's Collection. 

t The case lietween the proprietaries and the Duke, relative to the government, is 
of some complexity; and from inspection of the documents alone, his pretensions 
have better grounds than his advocates appear to have assumed for him. The char- 
ters of Charles II., to him, in addition to a full fee simple estate, in land, contain an 
express grant of the powers of government; whilst the deeds from the Duke to 
Berkeley and Carteret, convey a " tract of land," specifically bounded, as in the 
transfer of a private estate. There is not the slightest allusion to the powers of 
government in them; and the special care taken to give such powers, in the one 
case, and to omit tlicm in the other, would lie a strong argument, that they were 
not designed to be granted, if such argument were needed, in the total absence of a 
grant. It certainly never can be maintained, that, a fee simple, in land, carried with 
it a political power of government. In all cases where this power was intended to be 
conveyed, apt words were employed, as in the grants to the Duke of York, to Balti- 
more, and Penn. Berkeley could convey no other right than he possessed, nor did 
he attempt it, since that is not asserted in the plea of the New Jersey proprietaries. — 
Nor in the deed, quintipartite of partition, between Carteret, and the grantees of 
Berkeley, is there any reference to the powers of government. So far, then, the case 
would seem to be clearly, that the Duke had retained the integrity of his political 
powers, as granted him by the crown. But against this paper case, there is strong 
circumstantial evidence. 1. The assumption, and undisputed exercise of political 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 43 

IX. But, if we condemn, severely, the tenacious hold of power, on the 
part of the Duke, how shall we characterize the pretensions of Byllinge, 
subsequent to the exclusive grant of the government to him ? His conduct 
affords an additional instance of the corrupting force of power, and of human 
inconsistency. He asserts, as grantee of Berkeley, that he became the par- 
ticipant of political power, even by a deed for lands only; but, when that 
power was expressly and unequivocally conveyed to himself, he denies the 
grant of similar power, to his assigns, though he is a party to the " conces- 
sions," by which it was clearly conveyed; under the pretence, it would 
seem, that as such power was not then with him, he could not grant it, and 
though he had himself, taken the office of governor, by the election of the 
proprietaries. That his exclusive gubernatorial power might be known and 
felt, he proposed to remove Jennings, whom he had appointed his deputy, 
under his delegated powers, in 1679. 

X. The proprietaries, in General Assembly of the province, in June, 1683, 
met this pretension with due firmness and spirit; resolving, that they had 
purchased the land and government together ; that, in their deeds, Byllinge, 
the grantor, had covenanted, within seven years, to make further assurance 
of titlcj and was now bound, as they were, to fulfil his contracts ; that the 
" concessions" were adopted by proprietaries and people, as the foundation 
of the government of West New Jersey, by which they were resolved to 
stand ; and that " an instrument be drawn up and sent to some trusty friends 
in London, for Edward Byllinge to sign and seal ; whereby, to confirm his 
first bargain and sale, he made to the freeholders of this province, of land 
and government together." They further resolved, that upon such confir- 
mation, they were willing to testify their gratitude, as their ability would 
permit ; and should Byllinge visit the province, to show their free and unani- 
mous acceptance, and acknowledgments of his care and diligence in the 
premises. This subject, it would seem, had been some time under dis- 
cussion, before the Assembly was wrought to these resolutions ; and Wil- 
liam Penn had recommended that the people should secure themselves, by 
the election of Jennings, to the office of Governor, and his promise to exe- 
cute the place, with fidelity and diligence, according to the laws, concessions, 
and constitutions of the province. This expedient, certainly not flattering to 
Byllinge, the Assembly adopted, and proclaimed Jennings governor, by 
virtue of the power vested in six parts in seven, of their body, to alter their 
constitution ; and they bestowed the right to six hundred acres of land, to 
pay the charges of the office. Upon this occasion, the governor, and all the 
officers, under the. government, signed written engagements, faithfully to 
perform their duty.* 

power, by Berkeley and Carteret, openly promulgated in their concessions. 2. The 
surrender of the government, by Nicholls, the agent of the Duke, to them, after remon- 
strance, against such a measure, by that agent. 8. The re-grant of the soil, and the 
suffrance of the resumption of political power, by the Duke, after the conquest, and re- 
conquest, by the Dutch ; and 4th, the continued and unquestioned exercise of such 
power, by Byllinge, and his assigns, and by Carteret, after partition made. These 
are facts strangely at variance, with the deeds, and no one can suppose their exist- 
ence, against an adverse claim, on the part of the heir apparent to the crown. And it 
is not the least singular part of the case, that whilst the Duke claims a partial politi- 
cal right, that of laying taxes, he suffers undisturbed, the e.xercise of independent 
governments, in East and West Jersey. We must, therefore, believe, that there was 
an implied grant of political power, in the conveyance of the soil, which was too 
strongly confirmed by more than twenty years enjoyment, to be defeated. Yet, under 
these circumstances, the ready acquiescence of the Duke, in the award of the com- 
missioners, is extraordinary, when his love of power, and his tyrannical measures, 
against other colonial governments, are considered. 
* See Appendix, H. 



44 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Subsequently, at an Assembly, convened on the 29th of March, 1684, 
Governor Jennings, and Thomas Budd, were deputed to negotiate this matter, 
in England ; and two hundred pounds were voted for their expenses, which 
were advanced by governor Penn, then in Philadelphia; for the repayment 
of which, three thousand acres of land, were appropriated, above the falls of 
the Delaware. Upon his departure, Jennings nominated Thomas Clive, his 
deputy, who was duly elected governor, in May, 1684, and May, 1685. 
These measures, on the part of the Assembly, seem to have been attended 
with the desired effect. A new charter, the precise nature of which, we are left 
to conjecture, was given by Byllinge, and deposited by the Assembly, in the 
custody of Clive and Gardiner, their treasurer, and directed to be recorded. 
This instrument, probably, restored the government to the footing of the 
"concessions;" and John Skeine was received as the deputy governor, of 
Byllinge, although the Assembly had, before, rejected Welsh, who had been 
appointed to the office. Skeine died in February, 1688.* 

XI. Upon the death of Byllinge, in 1687, Dr. Daniel Coxe, of London, 
already a large proprietary, at the instance of other proprietaries, purchased 
the interest of Byllinge's heirs, in the soil and government. Soon after, 
(September 5, 1687) he addressed a letter to the council of proprietors in 
New Jersey, communicating this matter, and reviving the repudiated claim 
of Byllinge ; declaring, " that the government of the province was legally 
in him, as that of Pennsylvania in Penn, or East Jersey in the proprieta- 
ries; and that he was resolved, by the assistance of Almighty God, to exer- 
cise the jurisdiction to him conveyed, with all integrity, faith, fulness, 
and diligence, for the benefit and welfare of those, over whom. Divine Pro- 
vidence had constituted him superintendent, or chief overseer. But as he 
confirmed the " concessions," and thereby, in fact, transferred, as Jennings 
had done, the full right of government, to the proprietors, jointly, his naked 
assertion of exclusive right, appears to have excited no uneasiness in the, 
province. Smith informs us, that, Coxe received the appointment of governor 
from the proprietaries, and continued in that station until the year 1690; 
that, in the interval, Edward Hunloke was, at one time, his deputy ; and 
that a like commission had been sent to John Tatham, who, being a Jacobite, 
was rejected by the Assembly. In 1691, Dr. Coxe conveyed the government 
to a company of proprietaries, called the West Jersey Society, in considera- 
tion of nine thousand pounds sterling, who, in 1692, appointed Andrew Ha- 
milton governor. This view of the governmental question, has carried us 
in advance of other portions of our subject, to which we now return. 

XII. West Jersey, now filled apace with inhabitants ; the greater portion 
of whom were Quakers. Jennings convened the first Assembly, on 25th 
November, 1681. This body enacted cerVain fundamental constitutions, 
and many laws. Pursuing the spirit of the " concessions," they, in the first, 
provided, for the annual election and meeting of the Assembly ; the obliga- 
tion of the laws by them enacted ; the appointment and removal by them, of 
all officers of trust ; that no tax or custom should continue longer than one 
year ; and that no one should be incapable of office, by reason of his faith 
and worship. They prohibited the governor and council, from enacting 
laws, laying any tax, sending ambassadors, or making treaties, and from 
proroguing or dissolving that house; and declared, that, upon Jennings' 
acceptance of these conditions, they would recognise him as deputy go- 
vernor. These " constitutions were duly signed by Samuel Jennings, de- 
puty governor, and Thomas Clive, speaker. It would be difficult to find 

* The salary of Clive was thirty pounds; of Skoine, thirty bushels of rye, beside 
hi» fees. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 45 

any instrument, in representative government, more democratic, or more 
liberal, in matters of religious faith. Not even belief in the Deity, was neces- 
sary to human equality, whilst the constitution of the state of New Jersey, 
excludes from office all who do not profess belief in the faith of some Pro- 
testant sect. 

Thirty-six acts embraced, and enforced, most of the provisions of the 
"concessions." Among them, however, was one authorizing the levy of two 
hundred pounds, " in coin, or skins, or money," for defraying public debts 
and other public charges of the province. For this great sum, " Thomas 
Budd and Thomas Gardiner, were appointed receivers-general, with power 
to constitute and appoint all inferior or sub-collectors, or otherwise, for the 
best and easiest way of raising the amount, throughout the province of West 
Jersey." Another enacted, that, if any person shall presume to offer affront 
to the public authority, or any officiating in that capacity, he shall be punish- 
ed and fined at the discretion of the court — an offence certainly indefinite, 
and a latitude of punishment, which, in some governments, would have been 
very alarming. A third, which was, however, soon after repealed, raised the 
value of the current coin fifty per cent.: a fourth, directed the making of a 
highway from Burlington to Salem; and two others, appropriated twenty 
pounds to the governor, and five to the speaker, for their services. But 
among the most meritorious, was that imposing a heavy penalty upon the 
sale of strong liquors to the Indians. 

At the next session, holden in May, 1682, the Assembly authorized each 
of the ten proprietaries, to dispose of five hundred acres of land, within their 
respective tenths, for defraying the public expenses, in such tenth : made the 
half-pence, coined by one Mark Newbie, a member of council, and called 
Patrick's half-pence, current coin of the province; with condition, however, 
that no one should be obliged to receive more than five shillings of it, in one 
payment: established Burlington and Salem as ports: empowered justices to 
solemnize marriages on fourteen days notice, and consent of parents : direct- 
ed ten bushels of corn, necessary apparel, two horses, and one axe, to be 
given, as freedom dues, to servants : subjected land to the payment of debts ; 
prohibited the imprisonment of debtors, surrendering their estates ; and de- 
clared the town of Burhngton, the chief city of the province. 

At the next session. May, 1683, some modification of the fundamental 
laws was made. The governor and council, were empowered to prepare 
bills for laws, promulgating them, twenty days, in the most public place of 
the province, before the meeting of the General Assembly. The governor, 
council, and Assembly, met together, were declared the General Assembly; 
who might affirm, or deny, bills so prepared; and of this Assembly, the go- 
vernor was declared speaker, with a double voice. During the recess of the 
Assembly, the government of the state, was lodged with the governor and 
council. 

We have already noticed the proceedings of the Assembly, in relation to 
the claim of Byllinge ; beside which, there were no subjects of interest, in 
the history of the succeeding decade of years. The planters appeared to 
have pursued, undisturbed, the noiseless tenor of prosperity. Some efforts, 
however, were made during this period, by the proprietaries of East and 
West Jersey, for running the line between their provinces. But of this 
vexed and still unsettled question, we shall treat fully, in our exposition of 
the land system of the state. 

XIII. In 1693, however, the religious toleration, granted by the laws, was 
somewhat restricted by an act, which, though declaring that conscientious 
scruples, against taking oaths, should not incapacitate for office, required from 
the incumbent, a declaration of fidelity to the King, renunciation of popery 



46 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

and the following profession of the Christian faith : I, A B, profess faith 
in God, the Father, and Jesus Christ his eternal Son, the true God, 
and in the Holy Spirit, one God blessed for ever more ; and do acknoxo- 
ledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, to he given by 
divine inspiration* 

* Can this be deemed a confession of faith, by Quakers? The question derives 
great interest from the wide schism, at this time existing in the society of Friends, in 
which the two parties, alike, claim to hold the original faith; one professing that in 
the text — the other, belief in the unity of the Deity, the humanity of Christ, with a 
modified view of divine inspiration in the Scriptures. Upon the true solution of the 
original faith of the Quakers, much property, and a greater value, (if I may thus ex- 
press myself,) in sentiment, at this moment depends. It is said, that no formal decla- 
ration of the Quaker faith, is to be found in the records of the society; and courts of 
justice have been compelled to seek it, in the partial, equivocal, and unsatisfactory 
declarations of esteemed preachers, and polemical writers. The best evidence which 
the nature of the subject admits, is the formal declaration of faith, by the yearly meet- 
ing. But an attempt of this kind was one of the immediate causes of the present 
division. The next best evidence, would be a declaration of faith, by a body of Qua- 
kers, at a period when no division existed, among the sect, and when an attempt to 
force a declaration of faith upon them, would have been resisted, as firmly, to say the 
least, as at any time, since the ministry of Fox. Was the Assembly of West New 
Jersey, of the year 169G, such a body .'' If it was, their declaration of " The Christian 
Faith" is entitled to profound respect and unlimited confidence; having been made 
when the zeal of the church was most lively, during the life of many of its dis- 
tinguished primitive apostles, such as Barclay and Penn, and within seven years after 
the death of its founder, George Fox. This Assembly consisted of about fifty mem- 
bers. It is perhaps impossible, at this day, to declare that every member was a Quaker. ' 
This, however, is probable, since the Quakers composed vastly the greater proportion 
of the population. It is certain, however, that the majority of the Assembly were 
Friends, and might, therefore, have arrested the promulgation of this creed. That 
they would have done so, cannot be doubted, had it not been their faith ; for they 
came to the province, that they might enjoy that faith, without molestation. They 
had purchased the soil, and the government, that they might live under laws of their 
own enactment. But this act, had it declared a faith different from that, which the 
■Quakers professed, would have disqualified them from participating in the govern- 
ment, and would have placed them at the mercy of the very few Swedes and Dutch, 
who were in the province. We are, therefore, constrained to believe, that this statu- 
tory confession of faith, was the faith of the Quaker church. — See Learning and Spicer's 
Collection, p. 514. — Jlnd see the Jlct, in the Appendix, I. 

The confession of faith set forth in the New Jersey act of 1693, is copied in words, 
from the English toleration act, passed in 1689, (1 William and Mary). The follow- 
ing account of which, is given by George Whitehead. — Works, page 635. " Yet to 
prevent any such (Friends) from being stumbled or ensnared, by some expressions in 
the aforesaid profession or creed, (which appeared unscriptural,) in the said Bill, we, 
instead thereof, did propose and humbly offer, as our own real belief of the Deity of 
the Father, Son and Holy Ghost;" — the form we have given in the text. " Which 
declaration," he continues, " John Vaughton and I, delivered to Sir Thomas Clergis, 
who, with some others, were desirous we should give in such confession, of our Chris- 
tian belief, that we might not lie under the unjust imputation of being no Christians, 
and thereby be deprived of the benefit of the intended law, for our religious liberty. 
We were, therefore, of necessity, put upon offering the said confession, it being, also, 
our known professed principle, sincerely to confess Christ, the Son of the living God, 
his divinity, and that he is the eternal Word, and that the Three which bear record in 
heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, are one; one divine Being, one 
God, blessed forever." 

In what sense the words of this confession were accepted, by Friends, it would, per- 
haps, be difficult to say. They were, probably, understood by the framers of the 
toleration act, to be equivalent to the belief in the Trinity, as expressed by the Church 
of England. But this sense, if not denied, is certainly not conceded by the Quaker 
writers, generally, who, in relation to this mysterious subject, express themselves with 
great mystery, and allege that they take up the doctrine as expressly laid down in 
the Scripture, and are not warranted in making deductions, however specious. It 
has been supposed, too, that in framing this confession of faith, an outward con- 
formity to the requisition of Parliament, only, was designed : and that every Friend 
^was at perfect liberty to construe the words of his confession, in such sense as the 
ispirit within him should direct. If so. we have advanced nothing in determining 




HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

XIV. By the deed of partition of July, 1676, Sir George Carteret became 
seized of East New Jersey, in severalty. By his testament, December 5th, 
1678, he named his wife, Elizabeth, his executrix, and guardian of his heir; 
and devised the province to trustees, to be sold for payment of his debts.* 
He died in the following year, but his death made no change in the govern- 
ment, which continued to be administered by his brother Philip, until about 
the end of the year 1681, or beginning of 1682, .when he was superseded by 
the transfer of the province to other proprietaries. 

XV. The latter part of his administration, was embittered by the revival 
of the disputes which had once rendered him a fugitive from his government, 
and by the unjust and violent assumption of authority, over his province, by 
the profligate Andross, governor of New York. The pretension of this ready 
tool of despotism, was sustained by that portion of the inhabitants, who had 
derived their land titles through governor NichoUs, from the Duke, and who 
behoved that his Grace would render valid their advantageous purchases 
from the Indians. Andross seems, first, formally, to have disputed the right 
of Carteret, in March, 1680, when, by proclamation, he claimed the submis- 
sion of the inhabitants for the Duke of York. Threats of invasion followed; 
to resist which, Carteret prepared his military force, amounting to one hun- 
dred and fifty men. Andross, however, visited Eliza bethtown, attended by 
a civil suite, only, where he ostentatiously displayed the Duke's title, and his 
own commission ; and, utterly disregarding his master's double grant to Sir 
George Carteret, demanded the recognition of his authority. This being re- 
fused, he retired ; but soon after, April 31, 1680, despatched a party of soldiers, 
who rudely dragged Carteret from his bed, and conveyed him, prisoner, to 
New York, where he was tried, upon the information of the attorney-general, 
with having riotously and routously, with force of arms, endeavoured to 
maintain and exercise jurisdiction and government over his Majesty's sub- 
jects, within the bounds of his Majesty's letters patent, granted to his Royal 
Highness. In despite of the efforts of Andross, who presided at the trial, the 
jury, though several times sent out by him, magnanimously acquitted the 
prisoner. The court, however, adjudged, that if Carteret returned to New 
Jersey, he should engage not to assume any authority there. 

Andross met an Assembly at Elizabcthtown, on the 2d June, 1680, where 
he again exhibited the documents of his authority, together with a copy of 
the laws enacted at New York, which he proposed as the rule of action for 
New Jersey. Although the Assembly were indisposed, or dreaded, to ques- 
tion the authority of the Duke, they were not unregardful of their rights, nor 
backward in proclaiming them. They replied, " As we are the representa- 
tives of the freeholders of this province, wc dare not grant his Majesty's let- 
ters patent, though under the great seal of England, to be our rule or joint 
safety; for the great charter of England, alias, magna charta, is the only 
rule, privilege, and joint safety of every free born Enghshman. What we 
have formerly done, we did in obedience to the authority that was then esta- 
blished in this province, and that being done according to law, they needed 
no confirmation." They declared, also, their expectation, that, the privileges 
granted them, by virtue of the concessions of Lord Berkeley and Sir George 
Carteret, would be confirmed to them ; and they re-enacted former laws, and 
demanded their approval. 

the faith of Friends, since they have adopted the remainder of the Scriptures, giving 
to them, in many cases, a meaning widely different from that assigned by Orthodox 
Christians. 

* The trustees were John Earl of Sandvirich, John Earl of Bath, Bernard Granville, 
brother of the latter, Sir Thomas Crew, Sir Thomas Atkins, and his brother, Edward 
Atkins. 



48 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Complaints against the proceedings of Andross were despatched to Eng- 
land with an appeal to the King. The Duke disavowed the acts of his 
minion, yet no instructions appear to have been given to rescind them. For, 
after the departure of Andross, for England, Captain Brochholts, his substi- 
tute, maintained his assumption, refusing to recognise the authority of Carte- 
ret, until he exhibited a new commission, notwithstanding the Assembly of 
New Jersey had declared the conduct of Andross illegal. No further forci- 
ble effort, however, was made to control the province; the Duke having, 
in truth, agreed to confirm his former grants with the right of government ; 
and, soon after, by release of this contested power, terminated these troubles. 

Disgusted by these contentions, and perceiving that they were not likely to 
derive either emolument or satisfaction, from their province, the trustees and 
executrix of Sir George Carteret, offered it for sale to the highest bidder.* 

XVI. The sessions of the Assembly, during the administration of Carteret, 
were commonly holden at Elizabethtown, frequently at Woodbridge, and 
sometimes at Middletown and Piscataway.f Many laws were enacted 
during this period, but most of them were local or ephemeral in their cha- 
racter. Those of a more general nature, provided; That, contemners of 
authority should be punished by fine, or corporal infliction, at the discretion 
of the court : that males above sixteen, and under sixty, years of age, failing 
to furnish themselves with arms, should be fined, two shillings per week, for 
neglect : that, one guilty of arson, should repair the iiijury done, and in case 
of inability so to do, be, at the mercy of the court, condemned to death or 
other corporal punishment: that, murder, false witness, with design to take 
away life, crimes against nature, witchcraft, stealing away any mankind, 
should be punished by death ; burglary or highway robbery, the first offence 
with burning in the hand, the second in the forehead, and in both cases, 
with restitution; and the third offence with death: larceny, the first offence 
by treble restitution ; and so the second and third, with such increase of 
punishment, even unto death, as the court might direct, if the offender were 
incorrigible ; otherwise, and if unable to make restitution, to be sold for 
satisfaction, or to receive corporal punishmezit : conspiracies or attacks upon 
towns or forts, smiting or cursing of parents, unless in self defence, upon 
complaint of the parent, were also subjected to the penalty of death : rape 
was punishable with death, or otherwise, severely, at the discretion of the 
court; fornication, with marriage, fine, or corporal punishment; adultery, 
with divorce, corporal punishment, or banishment, either, or all of them, as 
circumstances should determine the mind of the judge ; night walking and 
revelling, after nine o'clock, with arrest, and punishment, at the discretion 
of the court : — That, the members of Assembly should be chosen on the 
first of January, and their sessions be holden on the first Tuesday in Novem- 
ber, annually, or oftener, if the governor and council should deem neces- 
sary : that, no marriage should be had without the consent of parent, guar- 
dian, or master, as the case might require, unless upon notice, thrice 
published, at some meeting or kirk, near the parties' abode, or set up in 
writing, at some public house, for fourteen days previous ; nor then, unless 
solemnized by some approved minister, justice, or chief ofiicer, who was 
forbidden, under penalty of twenty pounds, and dismission from office, to 
marry any, who had not fulfilled these requisitions. 

XVII. In comparing the laws of East and West Jersey, we are much 
struck with the difference of the spirit which dictated them. The genius of 
Calvinism, which rules by terror, and the ever suspended sword, in this and 

* Grahame's Col. Hist. vol. ii. 350. See Appendix K. 

t The first Assembly was holden 26th May, 1668, at Elizabethtown. < 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 49 

in the future world, is strongly impressed upon the one, whilst a prudent 
reserve in naming crimes, and a humane forbearance in their punishment, 
characterize the other. The ancient lawgivers prescribed no punishment 
for parricide, deeming the oftence impossible ; — the Quaker legislators, had 
no enactment against arson — no prescribed punishment for murder or trea- 
son, and other heinous offences ; and yet, during four-and-twenty years, of 
their administration, no instance of such crimes was known within their 
territories. In East Jersey, there were thirteen classes of offences, against 
which, the penalty of death was denounced; and amongst these, were sim- 
ple larcenies, and the impossible crime of witchcraft; whilst in West Jersey, 
such punishment was unknown to the law. The sentence, and mode of its 
execution, in cases of treason and murder, were by the " Concessions," com- 
mitted to the Assembly ; but that body never prescribed a general rule, nor 
had occasion to apply their powers to a special case. The legislators of 
West Jersey, in injuries of every kind, sought reparation, and the reclama- 
tion of the offender. Thus, the spoiler of projjerty was condemned, in all 
cases, to make a fourfold restitution, and to suffer imprisonment at labour; 
and the perpetrator of personal injuries, might be pardoned by the sufferer. 
In all cases, mercy presided over the justice-seat. But in East Jersey, the 
great object of the law seems to have been vengeance. Like to Draco, the 
legislator deemed small crimes worthy of death, and could find no severer 
punishment for the greatest. But, though from the enactments against 
witchcraft, the progress of intellectual light seemed less in East, than in West 
Jersey, there was an earnest care for the instruction of the people. This 
was particularly evident in an act, of 1693, providing, that, the inhabitants of 
any town might, by warrant from a justice, elect three men to establish and 
levy a rate for the maintenance of a schoolmaster, payment of which, might 
be enforced by distress. Upon the whole, we may remai-k, that, though the 
legislators of East and West Jersey, drew their principles from the same 
volume, they were from different sources ; the first were oppressed, enslaved, 
by the vengeful God, who prescribed the Levitical law; the others sought 
and found, a well regulated freedom, in the merciful monitions of a Re- 
deemer. 

In East Jersey there was no law for the public support of religion ; yet, 
every township maintained its church and its minister. The people, by the 
testimony of the first deputy of the Quaker sovereigns, " were, generally, 
a sober, professing people, wise in their generation, courteous in their beha- 
viour, and respectful to those in office." And Gawn Lawrie, the second 
deputy, assures us, " that there was not, in all the province, a poor body, or 
that wants."* Relying on this view, we might impute the dissentions which 
had prevailed, to the injudicious conduct of the government. But there is 
reason to believe, that, the blame of these dissentions is chargeable, in a con- 
siderable degree, upon the people. A headstrong and turbulent disposition 
appears to have prevailed among some classes, at least, of the inhabitants : 
various riots and disturbances broke forth, even under the new government, 
and the utmost patience of the rulers, were necessary to govern them. A 
law, enacted about four years after this period, reprobates the frequent oc- 
currence of quarrels and challenges, and interdicts the inhabitants from 
wearing swords, pistols, or daggers.f 

* " The servants work not so much," says Lawrie, •' by a third, as they do in Eng- 
land, and I think, feed much better; for they have beef, pork, bacon, pnddinfj, milk, 
butter, and good beer and cider to drink. When the}- arc out of tlieir time, they have 
land for themselves, and generally turn farmers. Servants' wages are not under two 
shillings a day, besides victuals." S. Smith, p. 117, 181. 

t Smith, pp. 162, 163. 169, 171, 175, &c. Grahame's Col. Hist. 

G 



50 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER IV. 

From the Purchase of East Jersey, by the Quakers, to the Surrender of the two 
Provinces to the Crown, 1682-1702. — I. Purchase of East Jersey by Penn and 
his Associates. — They admit otlicrs, not Quakers, to participate in the Purchase. 
— II. Robert Barclay appointed Governor for Life — Scotch Emigrants — Deputy 
Governors — Foundation of Amboy — Vain Efforts at Commerce. — III. Efforts of 
James II. to destroy Colonial Charter — Defeated by the Revolution. — IV. An- 
drew Hamilton, Deputy Governor — Death of Robert Barclay — Interregnum — 
Aadrew Hamilton, Governor-in-Chief — Superseded by Jeremiah Basse — Re- 
appointed — Discontent of the Colonists. — V. Attempt of New York to tax the 
Colony. — VI. Proposition from the English Ministers for the Surrender of the . 
Proprietary Governments — Negotiations relating thereto. — VII. Final and un- 
conditional Surrender — Lord Cornbury appointed Governor — Outline of the new 
Government. — VIII. Stationary Condition of New Jersey — Causes thereof. — 

IX. Condition of the Aborigines — Purchases of their Lands — Traditions of their 
Origin — Tribes most noted in New Jersey — Treaty at Crosswicks — at Burlington 
and Easton — Final Extinction of Indian Title to the Soil of New Jersey. — 

X. Review of the Title under the Proprietaries of East Jersey. — XI. Review of 
Title of Proprietaries of West Jersey. — XII. Of the Partition Line between East 
and West Jersey. 

I. The success of their experiment in West Jersey, encouraged the Qua- 
kers of Gi'eat Britain, to avail themselves of the opportunity, that was now 
afforded, in the proposition for tlie sale of Ea.st Jersey, of enlarging the 
sphere of their enterprise, by the acquisition of that province. In February, 
1682, William Penn, with eleven others of his religious faith,* purchased 
the colony from the devisees of Sir George Carteret. This territor}^, then, 
contained about five thousand inhabitants, the great majority of whom were 
not Quakers. There were jiopulous settlements at Shrewsbury, Middle- 
town, upon the Raritan and Millstone rivers; at Piscataway, Woodbridge, 
and Elizabethtown ; at Newark, and upon the banks of the Passaic and 
Hackensack rivers; at Bergen, and along the bay and bank of the Hud- 
son. Whether to allay the jealousy, with which, the inhabitants might 
have regarded a government, wholly composed of men who.se principles dif- 
fered greatly from their own, or for the purpose of fortifying their interest at 
court, by associating influential men with their enterprise, the twelve pur- 
chasers hastened to assume twelve other partners, among whom were the 
Earl of Perth, Chancellor of Scotland, and Lord Driimmond, of Gilston, 
Secretary of State for that kingdom. f Tn favour of the twenty-ibur, the 
Duke of York executed his third and last grant of Ea.st Jersey, 14th March, 

* The associates of Penn were Robert West, Thomas Rudyard, Samuel Groome, 
Thomas Hart, Richard Mew, Thomas Wilcox, Ambrose Rigg, Hugh Hartshorne, 
Clement Plumstead, Thomas Cooper, and John Hayward. 

t The names of the additional twelve, were James, Earl of Perth, Sir George 
M'Kenzie. John Drummond, Robert Barclay, David B.arclay. Robert Gordon, Robert 
Burnett, Peter Sonmans, James Braine, Gawen Turner, Thomas Nairne, Thomas 
Cox, and William Dockwra. 

t From the dedication of Scott's model of East Jersey, it appears that Viscount 
Tarbet and Lord M'Leod, two other powerful Scotch nobles, became, shortly after, 
proprietaries. Sir George M'Kenzie, Lord Advocate of Scotland, whom his cotem- 
poraries justly denominated, the bloody M'Kenzie, was infamously distinguished as 
a witness for the crown, on the trial of Lord Russell. — Grahwmcs Col. Hist. vol. ii. 
p. 351. n. 

t Grahame's Col. Hist. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 51 

1682, with full powers of government. To facilitate the exercise of their 
dominion, they, also, obtained from the King, a. royal letter, addressed to the 
governor, council, and inhabitants of the province, stating, the title of the 
purchasers to the soil and jurisdiction, and requiring due obedience to their 
government.* 

Among the new proprietaries of East Jersey, was the celebrated Robert 
Barclay, of Urie, a Scottish gentleman, who had been converted to Quaker- 
ism, and, in defence of his adopted principles, had published a series of 
works, which elevated his name, and his cause, in the esteem of all Europe. 
Admired by scholars and philosophers, for the stretch of his learning, and 
the strength and subtlety of his understanding, he was endeared to the mem- 
bers of his religious fi'aternity, by the liveliness of his zeal, the excellence of 
his character, and the sei'vices which his pen had i-endered to them. To the 
King and the Duke of York, he was recommended, not less by his distin- 
guished fame, than by the principles of passive obedience, professed by the 
sect of which he was leader ; and with the royal brothers, as well as with 
some of the most distinguished of their Scottish favourites and ininisters, he 
maintained a friendly and confidential intercourse. Inexplicable, as to 
many, such a coalition of uncongenial characters may appear, it seems, at 
least, as strange a moral plienomenon, to behold Barclay and Penn, the vo- 
taries of universal toleration and philanthropy, voluntarily associatino-, in 
their labours, for the education and happiness of an infant community, such 
instruments as Lord Perth, and other abettors of royal tyranny and eccle- 
siastical persecution, in Scotland."]" 

II. By the unanimous choice of his colleagues, Robert Barclay was ap- 
pointed, for life, first governor of East Jersey, under the new proprietary 
administration, with dispensation from personal residence, and authority to 
nominate his deputy. The most beneficial event of his presidency, was the 
emigration of many of his countrymen, the Scotch, to the province; a mea- 
sure, effected, it is said, with much diiliculty and importunity. For, although 
the great bulk of the nation was suflcring the rigours of tyranny, for their 
resistance to the establishment of pi'elacy, they were reluctant to seek relief 
in exile from their native land. The influence of Barclay and other Scotch 
Quakers, however, co-operated with the severities of Lord Perth, and the 
other royal ministers, to induce many, particularly, from Aberdeen, the 
governor's native county, to seek this asylum. In order to instruct the 
Scotch, more generally, of the condition of the colony, and to invite them to 
remove thither, an historical and statistical account of it was published, with 
a preliminary treatise, combatting the prevailing objection to expatriation. 
This work was, probably, composed, in part, by Barclay ,• but was ascribed 
to George Scott, of Pillochie, and was eminently successful.:}: As a farther 
recommendation of the province, to the favour of the Scotch, Barclay, sub- 
sequently, displaced Lawrie, a Quaker, whom he had appointed deputy, and 
conferred this office on Lord Neil Campbell, uncle of the Marquis of Argyle, 
who resided some time in the province as its lieutenant governor.^ The 

* Learning and Spicer's Col. Grahanmc, vol. ii. p. 351. 

f Grahame's Col. Hist. vol. ii. p. 354. See Appendix, L. 

t It bore the title of The Model of the Government of the Province of East New 
Jersey, in America, and contains a minute account of the climate, soil, institutions, 
and settlements of the province. See Appendix, M. 

§ Grahame's Col. Hist. vol. ii. p. 358. Oldmixon and Smith concur, in relating 
that Lord Neil Campbell succeeded Barclay as governor. But this seems an error of 
Oldmixon, which Smith has incautiously copied ; for, from a document, preserved by 
Smith himself, (p. 196) Barclay, in 1688, as governor of East Jersey, subscribed an 
agreement of partition between it and West Jersey. 



52 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

more wealthy of the Scotch emigrants, were noted for bringing with them a 
great number of servants, and in some instances, for transporting whole 
families of poor labourers, whom they established on their lands, for a term 
of years, endowing them with competent stock, and receiving in return, one 
half of the agricultural produce. 

The first Deputy Governor, under Barclay, was Thomas Rudyard, an 
attorney of London, noted for his assistance at the trial of Penn and Mead, 
who arrived at his government, early in 168.3. He was superseded, how- 
ever, at the close of the year, by Gawn Lawrie, also of London, who had 
been one of Byllinge's trustees, for West Jersey. The efforts of Rudyard, 
of Samuel Groome, who was the surveyor of the proprietaries, and of Law- 
rie, were strenuously directed to create a city, at Amboy Point; a plan for 
which, the proprietaries had published, with an invitation to adventurers. 
They laid the ground out in lots, with out-lots, or small tarms, appendant to 
them, put up houses on account of the proprietaries, in order to entice settlers, 
and proclaimed the advantages of its situation, in England and America. 
The town at fii'st called Amho, the Indian name for point, received soon 
after, the addition of Perth, in honour of the Earl, and was thenceforth 
known, as Perth Amboy. The endeavours of the proprietaries, in this re- 
spect, were crowned with very partial success; nor were their equally ear- 
nest efforts to establish foreign trade with their city, more happy. New 
York possessed, in her more advantageous position, and greater capital, the 
means of suppressing all rivalry, to which her governors did not hesitate to add 
force ; seizing, in the very poi't of Amboy, vessels engaged in foreign trade, 
canying them to New York, for adjudication, upon alleged breach of com- 
mercial regulations. 

The new proprietaries do not appear to have deemed any modification of 
the civil polity of the country necessary. In their description of the pro- 
vince, they commended the concessions of Berkeley and Carteret, and pro- 
mised to make such additions to them as might be found necessary. Their 
administration for several years seems to have been satisfactory to the in- 
habitants ; and with some inconsiderable exception, the discord arising from 
opposing titles, was stilled. 

III. But James II., who had now ascended the throne,* had little respect 
for the engagements of the Duke of York. Nor could his seeming friend- 
ship for Barclay, nor the influence of the Earl of Perth, and the other cour- 
tier proprietors, deter him from involving New Jei'sey in the design he had 
formed of annulling all the charters and constitutions of the American colo- 
nies. A real or pretended complaint was preferred to the English court, 
against the inhabitants of the Jerseys, for evasion of custom-house duties. 
The ministers, eagerly seizing this pretext, issued writs of quo warranto, 
against both East and West Jersey ; and directed the Attorney-General to 
prosecute them with the greatest possible expedition. The reason assigned 
for this proceedir^g, was, the necessity of checking the pretended abuses " in 
a country, which ought to be more dependent upon his majesty." Aroused 
by this blow, the proprietaries of East Jersey presented a remonstrance to 
the King; reminding him, that, they had not received their province as a 
benevolence, but had purchased it, at the price of many thousand pounds, to 
which they had been encouraged, by his assurances of protection; that they 
had already sent thither several hundreds of the people from Scotland ; and 
that, if satisfactory, they would propose to the New Jersey Assembly, to 
impose the same taxes there, that were paid by the people of New York. 
They entreated, that if any change should be made in the condition of the 

^ On the death of Charles II,, Otii February, 1685. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 53 

provinces, it might be, by the union of East and West Jersey, to be ruled by 
a governor, selected by the King from the proprietaries. But James was 
inexorable, and gave to their remonstrances no other answer, than that he 
had resolved to unite the Jerseys, New York, and the New England colo- 
nies, in one government, dependent upon the crown, and to be administered 
by Andross. Unable to divert him from his arbitrary purpose, the proprie- 
taries of East Jersey, not only abandoned the contest, for the privileges of 
their people, but consented to facilitate the execution of the King's designs, 
as the price of respect, for their interest in the soil. They made a formal 
surrender of their patent, which being accepted by the King, the proceed- 
ings on the quo warranto were stayed, with regard both to East and West 
Jersey.* Seeing no resistance to his will, the King was less intent on con- 
summating his acquisition ; and while the grant of the soil to the proprieta- 
i'ies, which was necessary for this purpose, still remained unexecuted, the 
completion of the design was abruptly intercepted by the British revo- 
lution. 

IV. Upon the departure of Lord Neil Campbell, from Jersey, after a hw 
months residence only,f Andrew Hamilton, Esq., a respectable Scotch gen- 
tleman, became Deputy Governor; which office he continued to exercise, 
until June, 1689, when, by his return to Europe, it was vacated, and so re- 
mained, until his second arrival, in August, 1692. During this interval, 
there appears to have been no regular government in New Jersey. The 
peace of the country was preserved, and the prosperity of its inhabitants 
promoted, by their honesty, sobriety, and industry. In the mean time, 
Robert Barclay died ; :{: having retained the government in chief, during his 
life. At his death, this power reverted to the proprietaries; who having, by 
sales and subdivisions of their rights, become too numerous, readily to ex- 
press their will, some delay occurred in filling the vacancy. In March, 
1692, Andrew Hamilton, received the commission of Governor-in-chief; 
which, the proprietaries were, nevertheless, compelled, very reluctantly, 
to revoke in March, 1697, in consequence of a late act of parliament, 
disabling all Scotchmen, from serving in places of public trust and profit, 
and obliging all colonial proprietors to present their respective governors to 
the King, for his approbation. In his place, they appointed Jeremiah Basse, 
who arrived in the province, in May, 1698 ; but, who, though instructed by the 
ministers of the King, had not the royal approbation in the form prescribed, 
nor it seems, the voice of a majority of the proprietaries. These circum- 
stances, added to the hostility borne to the proprietary government, by such 
of the settlers, as held their lands by adverse title, occasioned disobedience 
to his authority; to enforce which, he imprisoned some of the most turbulent 
malcontents. This energetic measure served but to increase the public dis- 
satisfaction ; to allay which, Colonel Hamilton M-as reappointed, notwithstand- 
ing the statute, which was now construed, not to extend to the provinces, 
and without the royal sanction. A new pretence for disobedience was 
thus afforded, which was immediately seized; and a petition and remon- 
strance was sent, by the disaffected, to the King, complaining of their griev- 
ances, and praying redress. This document betrayed the source of these 
commotions to be the claims of the proprietors to the exclusive possession of 
the soil under the Duke of York's grants, their demand of quit-rents, and 
repudiation of the title alleged to have been derived from Indian grants and 
the approbation of Colonel Nicholls. The petitioners close their remon- 

* April, 1688. Smith, App. 558, &c. Grahame's Col. Hist. 

t From 10th Oct. 1686, to March, 1687. MSS. Records, Secretary's Office, Amboy. 
Smith's Hist. App. 558. 
t M October, 1690. 



54 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

strance, with a prayer, that if the rights of government be in the proprieta- 
ries, his Majesty would compel them to commission for governor, some one 
qualitied by law, who, as an indifferent judge, might decide the controver- 
sies, between the proprietaries and the inhabitants.* 

V. To these causes of uneasiness, another was at this period superadded, af- 
fecting alike, the proprietaries and the people, in the renewed assumption by 
JVew York, of supremacy over New Jersey, manifested in an attempt to levy 
taxes by law upon that province. This effort, though encouraged by King 
William, was as unsuccessful as those which had preceded it. The Crown 
lawyers, to whom the complaint of the Jersey proprietors was referred, re- 
ported, that no customs could be imposed on the Jerseys, otherwise, than by 
Act, of Parliament, or their own assemblies.f 

VI. At length, the proprietaries of East and West Jersey, embarrassed by 
their own numbers, and by the searching and critical spirit of their people, 
finding that their seignoral functions tended only to disturb the peace of their 
territories, and to obstruct their own emoluments from the soil, hearkened to an 
overture from the English ministers, for the surrender of their gubernatorial 
power to the Crown. They were further induced to this measure, by the de- 
sire to avoid a tedious and expensive lawsuit, with which they were threatened: 
the Lords of Trade havina; resolved to controvert their ria;hts of Government 
by a trial at law, in which they would probably have taken the broad ground, 
that the King was not competent to subdivide and alienate the sovereign 
power. The determination of the Lords on this head had prevented the con- 
firmation of the appointment of Col. Hamilton to the office of Governor of 
East and West Jersey, respectively, and such was the confusion in the pro- 
vinces, consequent upon this rejection, that many of the proprietaries, whilst 
professing their readiness to surrender the government upon such terms and 
conditions as were requisite for the preservation of their properties and civil 
interests, earnestly prayed that Col. Hamilton might be approved, until the 
surrender could be effected.:}: But, whilst they seemed to make this approba- 
tion almost a condition of their surrender, other proprietaries refused to join 
in the petition to that effect, though expressing their readiness to yield the 
government. Under these circumstances, the Lords of Trade, upon consi- 
deration, that, the disorders into which the province had fallen were so great, 
that, the public peace and administration of justice was intei'rupted and violated, 
and that no due provision could be made for the public defence, recommend- 
ed that his Majesty should appoint a Governor by his immediate commission, 
with such instructions as might be necessary, for the establishment of a 
regular constitution of government, by a Governor, Council, and General 
Assembly, and other officers; for securing to the proprietors and inhabit- 
ants, their properties, and civil rights; and for preventing the interference 
of the Colony with the interests of his Majesty's other plantations, as the pro- 
prietary governments in America had generally done. 

VII. The proprietaries were desirous to annex special conditions to their 
surrender, which they inserted in several memorials. Ir was finally, however, 
made, absolutely and unrestricted, by all parties interested in both provinces, 
befoi-e the privy council, on the 17th of April, 1702; and Queen Anne pro- 
ceeded forthwith to reunite East and West Jersey into one ])rovince, and to 
commit its government, as well as that of New York, to her kinsman Edward 
Hyde, Lord Cornbury, grandson of the chancellor. Earl of Clarendon. The 
commission and instructions which this nobleman received, formed the con- 



* Smitli's Hist. App. 500. 1 Grahames Col. Hist. vol. ii. p. 3G1. 

X Smith's N. J. App. No. 12, 13, 14. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 55 

stitution and government of the province, until its declaration of independence. 
The confidence of the proprietaries in the crown, exemplified by the uncon- 
ditional surrender, was not misplaced. The greater part of the provisions they 
were desirous to obtain, were inserted in the instructions, which were sub- 
mitted to, and approved by, them, before confirmation in council. Indeed, so 
much regai'd was paid to their wishes, that they might have nominated the 
first governor, could they have united on any individual. All the measures 
preparatory to the surrender, had been completed prior to the death of King 
William,* but were not perfected until nearly a year after that monarch's 
death, by his successor Anne. 

The new government was composed of the governor, and twelve coun- 
sellors, nominated by the crown, and an Assembly, of twenty-four mem- 
bers, to be elected by the people, for an indefinite term, whose sessions 
were to be holden, alternately, at Perth Amboy, and Burlington.f Five, or 
in case of necessity, three members of council made a quorum ; and they pos- 
sessed the right to debate and vote on all subjects of public concern brought be- 
fore them. Their number was neither to be augmented nor diminished , nor any 
member to be suspended, without sufficient cause, when report was to be made 
to the commissioners of trade and plantations. The Assembly was constituted 
of two members from Amboy, two from Burlington, two from Salem, and two 
from each of the nine counties, into which the whole province was then di- 
vided.:}: No person was eligible to the Assembly, who did not possess a free- 
hold in one thousand acres of land, within the division for which he Avas 
chosen, or personal estate to the value of five hundred pounds sterling; and 
the qualification of an elector was a freehold estate in one hundred acres of 
land, or personal estate to the value of fifty pounds sterling. The house was 
to be convened by the governor from time to time, as occasion might require, 
and to be prorogued, or dissolved at his pleasure. The laws enacted by the 
council and Assembly were subject to the negative of the governor; and when 
passed by him, were to be immediately transmitted to England, for confirma- 
tion or disallowance by the crown. The governor was empowered to suspend 
members of council from their functions, and to fill vacancies occurring by 
death; and with consent of this body, to constitute courts of law, but not other 
than those established, except by royal order; to appoint all civil and military 
officers, and to employ the forces of the province in hostilities against public 
enemies : He was commanded to communicate to the Assembly, the royal 
desire, that, they would provide means, for a competent salary to the governor, 
to themselves, to the members of councils, and for defraying all other pro- 
vincial expenses : He was empowered, with advice and consent of council, 
to regulate salaries and fees of officers, and such as were payable on emer- 
gencies : He was directed to have especial care, that God Almighty be de- 
voutly and duly served, the book of common-pra5^er, as by law established, 
read each Sunday and holiday, and the sacrament administered, according to 
the rights of the church of England ; that churches already built, should be 
well and orderly kept; that more should be built, as the colony improved, and 
that beside, a competent maintenance to be assigned to the minister of each 
orthodox church, a convenient house should be built at the common charge, 
for each minister, and a competent proportion of land, granted him for a glebe, 
and exercise of his industry ; and that the parishes be so limited, as should be 
most convenient for the accomplishment of this good work : He was to per- 
mit liberty of conscience to all persons (except papists), so they be contented 

* March 8, 1701 . t See note N. 

I Bergen, Essex, Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, BurUngton, Gloucester, Salem, 
Cape May. 



56 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

with a quiet and peaceable enjoyment thereof, not giving offence or scandal 
to the government : and he was vested with the right of presentation to all 
ecclesiastical benefices. 

If, on the death or absence of the governor, there were no lieutenant go- 
vernor commissioned, the eldest counsellor, nominated by the crown, exer- 
cised his powers. 

Quakers were declared to be eligible to every office, and their affirmation 
accepted in lieu of oaths. 

Due encouragement was directed to be given to merchants, and, particu- 
larly, to the Royal African Company, in England, lately established for pro- 
secuting the accursed slave trade, and special care to be taken that they 
were duly paid for the negroes they should import and vend in the province. 
Laws were also to be enacted, protecting the slave against inhuman severity, 
promoting his conversion to Christianity, and punishing his wilful murder, 
by death. 

From the courts of the province, where the value in controversy exceeded 
one hundred pounds, an appeal lay to the governor in council, excluding 
such members as might have, previously, sat upon the cause ; and where the 
value exceeded two hundred pounds, the cause might be carried before the 
privy council in England. And, 

Predicating, that great inconveniences might arise by the liberty of print- 
ing in the province ; no printing press was permitted, nor any book or other 
matter allowed to be printed, without the license of the governor. 

The former proprietaries were confirmed in their rights to the soil and 
quit-rents, as they had enjoyed them before the svirrender, with power to 
appoint their surveyors, and the exclusive right to purchase lands from 
the Indians. 

The constitution thus framed, gave to New Jersey, a polity similar to that of 
other royal governments in America ; but it fell far short of the uncontrolled 
political freedom enjoyed under the pi'oprietary concessions. The great and 
essential principle of political happiness, the popular will, was deprived of its 
energy, and circumscribed in its action, by the subjugation of the Assembly, 
in the times of its convention and duration of its sessions, to the pleasure 
of the governor ; and by the double veto of him and the crown upon the 
laws. The means were thus created, not only of marring the most beneficial 
measures, when conflicting with the partial interests of the prince or his 
deputy ; but when such measures were indifferent to them, of selling their 
approbation for selfish considerations. When these consequences of the 
surrender were felt, and they were not long delayed, the proprietaries and 
people contended by an ingenious, but alas ! by a fallacious reasoning, that, 
they had reserved, and by the nature of things were entitled to, the privi- 
leges of their first and palmy state. Among these privileges, they enume- 
rated, absolute religious freedom; exemption from every species of imposi- 
tion, not levied by their Assemblies; the establishment of the judiciary by the 
governor, council, and Assembly ; exemption from military duty of those 
conscientiously scrupulous against bearing arms ; the solemnization of mar- 
riage, as of other contracts, in presence of disinterested witnesses merely ; 
the determination of all causes, civil and criminal, by jury, and in criminal 
cases, the right of peremptory challenge, to the number of thirty-five ; and 
the right of the Assembly alone, to enact laws, provided, they were agreea- 
ble to the fundamental laws of England, and not repugnant to the conces- 
sions. Some of these claims'were so entirely incompatible with the right of 
government, as understood by the crown, that we cannot be surprised that 
they were disregarded. 

VIII. The attractions which the neighbouring province of Pennsylvania, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 57 

presented to the English Quakers, and the cessation, which the British revo- 
lution produced, of the severities that had driven so many Protestant dis- 
senters from both England and Scotland, undoubtedly, prevented the popula- 
tion of New Jersey from advancing with the rapidity which its increase, at 
one period, seemed to promise. Yet, at the close of the seventeenth century, 
the province is said to have contained twenty thousand inhabitants, of whom, 
twelve thousand belonged to East, and eight thousand to West, Jersey.* It 
is more probable, however, that the total population did not exceed fifteen 
thousand ; the great bulk of whom, were Quakers, Presbyterians, and Ana- 
baptists. There were two Church of England ministers in the province, but 
their followers were not sufficiently numerous and wealthy to provide them 
with churches. The militia, at this period, amounted to fourteen hundred 
men. This province, like several others of the continental colonies, witnessed 
a long subsistence of varieties of national character among its inhabitants. 
Patriotic attachment and mutual convenience, had, generally, induced the 
emigrants, from different countries, to settle in distinct bodies, whence their 
peculiar national manners and customs were preserved. The Swedes appear 
to have been less tenacious of these, than the Dutch, and to have copied, 
very early, the manners of the English. The distinction arising too, from 
the separation of the province into governments and two proprietaryships, 
was long continued, and is now scarce wholly obliterated. Yet, the inhabi- 
tants of the eastern and western territories, were strongly assimilated by the 
habits of industry and frugality, common to the Dutch, the Scotch, the emi- 
grants from New England, and the Quakers ; and the prevalence of these 
habits, doubtlessly, contributed to maintain tranquillity and harmony among 
the several races, which were alike distinguished by the steadiness and 
ardour of their attachment to those liberal principles which had been incor- 
porated with the foundations of political society in the province. Negro 
slavery was, unhappily, established in New Jersey, though, at what precise 
period, or by what class of planters it was introduced, cannot now be ascer- 
tained. In spite of the royal patronage which this baneful system received, 
it did not become inextricably rooted. Yet the Quakers, here, as in Penn- 
sylvania, became proprietors of slaves ; but they always treated them with 
humanity; and so early as the year 1696, the Quakers of New Jersey, 
united with their brethren, in Pennsylvania, in recommending to their own 
sect, to desist from the employment, or at least from the further importation 
of slaves.f 

The trade of the province was even at this time considerable. Its exports 
consisted of agricultural produce, among which, mistakenly, we think, rice 
has been enumerated, with which it supplied the West Indian islands; furs, 
skins, and a little tobacco, for the English market; and oil, fish, and other 
provisions, which were sent to Spain, Portugal, and the Canary islands.:}: 
Burlington, at this time, gave promise of becoming a place of considerable 
trade; and the comfort and neatness of its buildings, are commended by 
several writers of this era.§ It possessed a thriving manufactory of linen 
and woollen cloth, which was soon smothered by the jealous policy of the 
mother country. In 1695, the governor's salary, in East Jersey, was one 
hundred and fifty pounds; in West Jersey, two hundred pounds; and those 
of other officers, at proportionate moderate rates. 

* Grahame's Col. Hist vol. ii. 3(1(). Holmes' Ann. vol. ii. p. 45, &c. 

t Kalm's Travels, vol. i. and ii. Winterbotham, ii. 279. Warden, vol. ii. 38. 
Clarkson's History of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, vol. i. 131, 130. 

t Gab. Thomas' Hist, of West N. J. 13, 33. 01dmi.\on, i. 141. Blome celebrated 
the excellence of the New Jersey tobacco. 

§ Thomas. Blome, who wrote in 1G86. 

H 



58 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

IX. Having thus brougfit our history to the termination of the proprietary 
governments, it may be proper, before we proceed to a narration of events, 
under the I'oyal administration, to consider the condition of the aborigines, 
the manner in which their intei*est in the soil was extinguished, and the prin- 
ciples adopted by the proprietaries, in disposal of their acquisitions. 

The strong ai'e every where masters of the weak. In all ages, and with 
all people, the power to subdue has been accompanied with the pretension of 
right. The European, eminently endowed with this power, mentally and 
physically, over the untutored savage of America, unhesitatingly, appropri- 
ated to himself, all that the latter possessed, comprehending his labour and 
his life. From the first landing of Columbus, at Guannahane, or San Salva- 
dor, to the present era, the right by discovery has been the right of conquest. 
The ambition of princes, stimulated by the most sordid motives, was dignified 
by the approval of grave and politic counsellors, and sanctified by the fathers 
of the church, who in the plenitude of spiritual arrogance assumed, to dispose 
of all countries : — of those inhabited by Christians, because the inhabitants, as 
members of the church, were subjects of the supreme Pontiff" — of other coun- 
tries, because the church would be advanced by the estates and services of 
infidels. So long as colonization was prompted by state policy, and was 
effected by the sword, the rights of the original possessors of the soil, what- 
ever they may have been, were wholly disregarded. The most sacred, most 
venerated spots, endeared to their inhabitants by the long occupancy of them- 
selves and their ancestors, were seized with the same ruthless indifference, as 
the untrodden wild ; and the fruits of cultivation, with the same license, as the 
spontaneous productions of nature. All the principles of property, growing 
out of occupancy and manipulation, which ; society in its simplest form must 
recognise, were utterly prostrated, in the subjugation of the newly discovered 
countries of the West. When, however, these countries were sought, not 
with the view of increasing regal power, or of gratifying the insatiate long- 
ings of avarice, but as an asylum against princely misrule and clerical tyranny, 
that justice which the colonist would obtain for himself, was in a measure, , 
extended to the owner of the soil he would possess. The emigrant did not, 
perhaps could not, and ought not, divest himself of the idea of right, ac- 
quired by discovery of sparsely peopled land, to participate in the occupancy 
of an uncultivated soil, with the indigene, who exercised over it the slightest 
of all species of appropriation, that of occasional hunting upon it. But he re- 
cognised in this occupant also, a right impeding that full and separate property 
which his convenience required, and which his conscience forbade him to ex- 
tinguish without a colour of compensation. The requisitions of conscience, 
however, in these cases, wei'e easily appeased. In some instances, perhaps, 
their very existence may be attributed to the fears caused by the fierce, war- 
like, and indomitable character of the North American savage. The veriest 
trifles which could be imposed on the ignorance and vanity of the native were 
deemed adequate compensation for scores of miles of fertile lands; and such 
contracts of sale, whose nature was not comprehended by the vendors, were 
enforced by the vendees with as much confidence in the legality and equity of 
their title, as if a court of chancery had passed upon the adequacy of the 
consideration. 

It has been erroneously supposed, that, the first instance of purchase from 
the aborigines of America, was given by William Pcnn ; and modern histori- 
rians and essayists, delighted to contrast the humanity and justice of his con- 
duct with the violence and devastation of other European agents, have by the 
inflation of his deeds, obscured and almost hidden the scarce inferior merit 
of others. The Dutch, Swedes, and Fins on the Delaware, the English in 
Massachusetts, in New York, and New Jersey, had given examples of this 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 59 

just and prudent policy, which Penn gladly followed, but which he dared not 
reject. He has the merit of conforming to this established practice, with a 
kindness of spirit and humane consideration, which have made an indelible 
impression on the Indian race. 

Compared with the value of the lands acquired, the sums paid for them 
were generally inconsiderable ; and consisted, but too frequently, of articles 
of destructive luxury, serving to debase and destroy those who received them. 
This consideration, small and personal and perishable in its nature, was soon 
consumed ; leaving the vendor, only, vain regrets, which frequently hurried him 
into imprudent and unjustifiable hostilities. Had it been practicable in the early 
period of the intercourse between the whites and Indians of North America, 
to have adopted the annuity system, which has been, in part, pursued by the 
United States, the Indian race might, possibly, have been improved, en- 
lightened, and preserved. 

The Indians inhabiting the country between the great lakes and the 
Roanoke, belonged, it would seem, either to the Lenni Lenape, or the Meng- 
we nations. The former, known among their derivative tribes, also, by the 
name of the Wapanachki, corrupted by the Europeans into Opennaki, Ope- 
nagi, Ahenaquis and Apenakies, and among the whites by the name of 
Delawares, held their principal seats upon the Delaware river, and were ac- 
knowledged by near forty tribes as their " grandfathers," or parent stock. 
They relate, that many centuries ago, their ancestors dwelt far in the western 
wilds: but emigrating eastwardly, they arrived after many years peregrina- 
tion, on the NamcBsi Sipu (Mississippi), or river of fish, where they encoun- 
tered the Mengwe, who had also come from a distant country, and had first 
approached the river, somewhat nearer its source. The spies of the Lenape 
reported, that the country on the east of the river was inhabited by a power- 
ful nation, dwelling in large towns, erected upon their principal rivers. 

This people were tall and robust, some of them were said to be even of 
gigantic mould. They bore the name of AUigewi, from which has been 
derived, that of the Alleghany river and mountains. Their towns were de- 
fended by regular fortifications, vestiges of which are yet apparent, in greater 
or less preservation. The Lenape, requesting permission to establish them- 
selves in the vicinity, were refused; but obtained leave, to pass the river, in 
order to seek a habitation farther to the eastward. But, whilst crossing the 
stream, the AUigewi, alarmed at their number, assailed and destroyed many 
who had reached the eastern shore, and threatened a like fate to the remain- 
der, should they attempt the passage. Fired by this treachery, the Lenape 
eagerly accepted a proposition from the Mengwe, who had hitherto been 
spectators of their enterprise, to unite with them, for the conquest of the 
country. A war of great duration was thus commenced, which was prose- 
cuted with great loss on both sides, and eventuated in the expulsion of the 
AUigewi, who fled from their ancient seats, by way of the Mississippi, never 
to return. The devastated country was apportioned among the conquerors ; 
the Mengwe choosing their residence, in the neighbourhood of the great 
lakes, and the Lenape in the lands of the south. 

After some years, during which, the conquerors lived together in much 
harmony, the hunters of the Lenape, crossed the Alleghany mountains, 
and discovered the great rivers, Susquehanna and Delaware. Exploring the 
Sheyichbi country (New Jersey) they reached the Hudson, to which they, 
subsequently, gave the name of the Mahicannittuck river. Upon their 
return to their nation, they described the country they had visited, as abound- 
ing in game, fruits, fish, and fowl, and destitute of inhabitants. Concluding 
this to be the home destined for them, by the Great Spirit, the tribe esta- 
blished themselves upon the four great rivers, the Hudson, Delaware, Sus- 



60 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

quehanna, and Potomac, making the Delaware, to which they gave the name . 
of the Lenapc wihittuck, (the river or stream of the Lenape) the centre of | 
their possessions. J 

They say, however, that all of their nation who crossed the Mississippi, did 
not reach this country; and that a part remained west of the NamtBsi 
Sipu. They were finally divided into three great bodies ; the larger, one- 
half of the whole, settled on the Atlantic ; the other half was separated into 
two parts; the stronger continued beyond the Mississippi, the other remained 
on its eastern bank. 

Those on the Atlantic were subdivided into three tribes ; the Turtle or 
Unamis, the Turkey or Unalachtgo, and the Wolf or Minsi. The two 
former inhabited the coast from the Hudson to the Potomac, settling in small 
bodies, in towns and villages upon the larger streams, under chiefs subordi- 
nate to the great council of the nation. The Minsi, called by the English, 
Muncys, the most warlike of the three tribes, dwelt in the interior, forming 
a barrier between their nation and the Mengwe. They extended themselves 
from the Minisink, on the Delaware, where they held their council seat, to 
the Hudson on the east, to the Susquehanna on the south-west, to the head 
waters of the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers on the north, and on 
the south to that range of hills now known, in New Jersey, by the name 
of the Musconetcong, and by that of Lehigh and Coghnewago, in Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Many subordinate tribes proceeded from these, who received names either 
from their places of residence, or from some accidental circumstance, at the 
time of its occurrence remarkable, but now forgotten. 

The Mengtve hovered for some time on the borders of the lakes, with their 
canoes, in readiness to fly should the Alligetci return. Having grown bolder, 
and their numbers increasing, they stretched themselves along the St. Law- 
rence, and became, on the north, near neighbours to the Lenape tribes. 

The Mengwe and the Lenape, in the progress of time, became enemies. 
The latter represent the former as treacherous and cruel, pursuing, pertina- 
ciously, an insidious and destructive policy towards their more generous 
neighbours. Dreading the power of the Lenape, the Mengtve resolved, by 
involving them in war with their distant tribes, to reduce their strength. 
They committed murders upon the members of one tribe, and induced the 
injured party to believe they were perpetrated by another. They stole into 
the country of the Delawares, surprised them in their hunting parties, 
slaughtered the hunters, and escaped with the plunder. 

Each nation or tribe had a particular mark upon its war clubs, which, 
placed beside a murdered person, denoted the aggressor. The Mengive perpe- 
trated a murder in the Cherokee country, and left with the dead body, a war 
club bearing the insignia of the Lenape. The Cherokees, in revenge, fell 
suddenly upon the latter, and commenced a long and bloody war. The 
treachery of the Mengive was at length discovered, and the Delawares turned 
upon them with the determination utterly to extirpate them. They were the 
more strongly induced to take this resolution, as the cannibal propensities of 
the Mengwe had reduced them, in the estimation of the Delawares, below 
the rank of human beings.* 

Hitherto, each tribe of the Mengwe had acted under the direction of its 
particular chiefs; and, although the nation could not control the conduct of 
its members, it was made responsible for their outrages. Pressed by the 
Lenape, they resolved to form a confederation which might enable them 

* The Iroquois or Mengwe sometimes ate tlie bodies of their prisoners. — Hccke- 
welder, h. N. Y. Hist. CoT. 55. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 61 

better to concentrate their force in war, and to regulate their affairs in peace. 
Tkannmvage, an aged Mohawk, was the projector of this alliance. Under 
his auspices, five nations, the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagoes, Cayugas, and 
Senecas, formed a species of republic, governed by the united counsels of 
their aged and experienced chiefs. To these a sixth nation, the Tuscaroras, 
was added in 1712. This last, originally dwelt in the western parts of North 
Carolina, but having formed a deep and general conspiracy, to exterminate 
the whites, were driven from their country, and adopted by the Iroquois con- 
federacy.* The beneficial effects of this system, early displayed themselves. 
The Lenape were checked, and the Mcngwe, whose warlike disposition soon 
familiarized them with fire arms, procured from the Dutch, were enabled, at 
the same time, to contend with them, to resist the French, who now at- 
tempted the settlement of Canada, and to extend their conquests over a large 
portion of the country between the Atlantic and the Mississippi. 

But, bein" pressed hard by their new, they became desirous of reconcilia- 
tion with their old, enemies ; and, for this purpose, if the tradition of the 
Delawares be credited, they effected one of the most extraordinary strokes 
of policy which history has recorded. 

The mediators between the Indian nations at war, are the women. The 
men, however weary of the contest, hold it cowardly and disgraceful to seek 
reconciliation. They deem it inconsistent in a warrior, to speak of peace with 
bloody weapons in his hands. He must maintain a determined courage, and 
appear, at all times, as ready and willing to fight as at the commencement 
of hostilities. With such dispositions, Indian wars would be interminable, 
if the women did not interfere, and persuade the combatants to bury the 
hatchet, and make peace with each other. 

Their prayers seldom failed of the desired effect. The function of the 
peace maker was honourable and dignified, and its assumption by a coura- 
geous and powerful nation could not be inglorious. This station the Mengwe 
urged upon the Lenape. " They had reflected," they said, " upon the state 
of the Indian race, and were convinced that no means remained to preserve 
it, unless some magnanimous nation would assume the character of the 
WOMAN. It could not be given to a weak and contemptible tribe ; such 
would not be listened to : but the Lenape and their allies, would at once pos- 
sess influence and command respect." 

The facts upon which these arguments were founded, were known to the 
Delawares, and, in a moment of blind confidence in the sincerity of the 
Iroquois, they acceded to the proposition, and assumed the petticoat. The 
ceremony of the metamorphosis was performed with great rejoicings at Al- 
bany, in 1617, in the presence of the Dutch, whom the Lenape charge with 
having conspired with the Mengwe for their destruction. 

Having thus disarmed the Delawares, the Iroquois assumed over them 
the rights of protection and command. But, still dreading their strength, 
they artfully involved them again in war with the Cherokees, promised to 
fight their battles, led them into an ambush of their foes, and deserted them. 
The Delawares, at length, comprehended the treachery of their arch enemy, 
and resolved to resume their arms, and, being still superior in numbers, to 
crush them. But it was too late. The Europeans were now making their 
way into the country in every direction, and gave ample employment to the 
astonished Lenape. 

The Mengwe deny these machinations. They aver, that they conquered 
the Delawares by force of arms, and made them a subject people. And, 

" Smith's New York. Douffl. Summ. 



G2 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

though it be said, they are unable to detail the circumstances of this con- 
quest, it is more rational to suppose it ti'ue, than that a brave, numerous, and 
warlike nation should have, voluntarily, suffered themselves to be disarmed 
and enslaved by a shallow artifice ; or that, discovering the fraud practised 
upon them, they should, unresistingly, have submitted to its consequences. 
This conquest was not an empty acquisition to the Mengwe. They claimed 
dominion over all the lands occupied by the Delawares, and, in many in- 
stances, their claims were distinctly acknowledged. Parties of the Five 
Nations occasionally occupied the Lenape country, and wandered over it, at 
all times, at their pleasure. 

Whatever credit inay be due to the traditions of the Lenape, relative to 
their migration from the west, there is strong evidence in support of their 
pretensions to be considered the soui'ce, whence a great portion of the In- 
dians of North America was derived. They are acknowledged as the 
"grandfathers," or the parent stock, of the tribes that inhabited the extensive 
regions of Canada, from the coast of Labrador to the mouth of the Albany 
river, which empties into the southernmost part of Hudson's Bay, and from 
thence to the Lake of the Woods, the northernmost boundary of the United 
States; and a,lso by those who dwelt in that immense country, stretching' 
from Nova Scotia to the Roanoke, on the sea-coast, and bounded by the 
Mississippi on the west. All these nations spoke dialects of the Lenape lan- 
guage, affording the strongest presumption of their derivation from that 
stock. The tribes of the Mengwe, interspersed throughout this vast region, 
are, of course, excepted. They were, however, comparatively, few in 
number. 

We have no data by which to determine the number of Indians in New 
Jersey, at the advent of the Europeans. It is certain that it was very in- 
considerable. The tribes were small, and scattered over the country ; and 
consisted then, or soon after, of portions of the Mengwe and Lenape nations. 
These petty hordes were commonly distinguished in their intercourse with 
the whites, by the names of creeks, or other noted places, near which they 
dwelt. Thus, there were the AsmnpinJc,* the Rankokas,^^ the Mingo, the 
Andastaka; about Burlington, the Mantas;X the Raritans, the Navidnks, 
&;c. The most noted nations, who occasionally inhabited the ])rovince, and 
claimed lands within it, were the Naraticongs, on the north side of the 
Raritan river ; the Capitinasses, the Gacheos, the Muncys, or Minidnks, 
the PoTnptons, the Senecas, the Maquas, or Mohawks, and perhaps others, 
of the confederates of the Five Nations. These tribes were frequently at 
war with each other, and the heads of their arrows and javelins, are even 
now occasionally discovered in the battle-fields ; and near the falls of the 
Delaware, on the Jersey side, and at Point-no-Point, in Pennsylvania, and 
at other places, entrenchments were made against hostile incursions. At 
some seasons of the year, the country, on the sea shore was probably more 
thickly covered by swarms, who crowded from the adjacent provinces to 
enjoy the pastimes, and partake the plenty of the fishing and fowling sea- 
sons. And we may conceive, that they were Mengwe warriors, whom 
Hudson encountered in the Kill-van-Kuhl, and the New York Bay. 

From the petty resident tribes, purchases of the soil of New Jersey, were 
from time to time, made by the Dutch, the Swedes, and the English proprie- 

* Stony Creek. 

t Lamikas, or Chichequas, was the proper Indian name. The Indians did not use 
the r. 

t Frogs. A creek or two, in Gloucester county, are called Manta, or Mantua, from 
a large tribe that resided there. The tribes were probably of the same stock. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 63 

tors of East and West Jersey. Prior to the conquest of New York, by 
Nicholls, it is probable, that individuals were permitted to purchase from 
the natives, such tracts of land as they required. Subsequently to that 
event, a like practice was for a short time permitted, upon the express 
license and confirmation of the governor. But after the grant to Berkeley 
and Carteret was proclaimed, no purchase from the Indians, other than by 
the general proprietors, could be deemed lawful. These proprietors, appear 
to have conducted themselves, with much equity ; and for nearly a century 
to have maintained, with the remnant of the tribes, great cordiality and 
friendship.* 

When the war of 1756, unbridled the evil passions of the western Indians, 
some of those who had usually resided in New Jersey, ungi'atcfuUy, united 
with the enemy, and probably, in the year 1758, led the way to the massa- 
cres of a few families on the Walpack. Upon the first evidences of Indian 
hostility, the legislature of New Jersey appointed commissioners to examine 
into the treatment of those who dwelt within their boundaries, with whom a 
convention was holden, at Crosswicks, in the winter of 1756, and they were 
invited to unfold whatever grievances they might have. They complained 
of some impositions, in grants of lands, to individuals, and in their private 
traffic, particularly, when intoxicated; of the destruction of the deer, by 
iron traps; and the occupation of some small tracts of land, the title to 
which, they had not sold. At the session of 1757, the Assembly imposed a 
penalty on persons selling them strong drink, so as to intoxicate them — pro- 
hibited the setting of traps weighing more than three pounds — avoided all 
sales and leases of land, made in contravention of the laws — and appropri- 
ated sixteen hundred pounds, to the purchase of a general release of Indian 
claims, in New Jersey ; one-half to be expended for a settlement, for such 
Indians as resided south of the Raritan, where they might dwell, and the 
I'emainder, to be applied to the purchase of any latent claims of non- 
residents. At a second convention, holden also at Crosswicks, in February, 
1758, the Indians produced a specification of their claims, appointed attor- 
neys, to represent them in future negotiations, and executed a formal release, 
to all lands in New Jersey, other than those in their schedule, and also to 
such of those as might have been before conveyed ; excepting the claims of 
the Minisinks and Pomptons, in the northern parts of the province; re- 
serving the right to hunt and fish, on unsettled lands.f 

* The last purchase from the Indians, entered in the East Jersey Records, was 
made by John Willocks, from the Indian Weequehelah, June 16th, 1703, of a tract of 
land, in Monmouth county. — Book F. 221. 

t The Indians who retired to the west, had, to one of the messengers, from Penn- 
sylvania, complained of the death of the sachem, Weequehelah; but this was a mere 
pretence, to colour their attempts with the appearance of justice; as that Indian was 
known to have been executed for actual murder, and to have had a legal trial. He 
was an Indian of great note, among Christians and Indians, of the tribe that resided 
about South river, where he lived, with a taste much above the common rank of In- 
dians, having an extensive farm, cattle, horses and negroes, and raised large crops of 
wheat; and was so far English in his furniture, as to have a house well provided with 
feather beds, calico curtains, t&c. He frequently dined with governors and great 
men, and behaved well; but his neighbour, Captain John Leonard, having purchased 
a cedar swamp of other Indians, to which he laid claim, and Leonard refusing to take 
it on his right, he resented it highly, and threatened that he would shoot him; which 
he accordingly took an opportunity of doing, in the spring, 1728, while Leonard was 
in the day time walking in his garden, or near his own house. — Smith's JVeto Jersey, 
pp. 440-441, n. 

The commissioners for treating with the Indians, were Andrew Johnston, and 
Richard Salter, esquires, of the council ; and Charles Read, John Stevens, William 
Foster, and Jacob Spicer, esquires. The Indians were, Teedyuscung, king of the 
Delawares ; George Hobayock, from the Susquehannah ; Crosswiek Iiidians, Andrew 



64 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Towards the close of the summer of 1758, and after the inroads on the 
Walpack, Governor Bernard, through the medium of Teedyuscung, king of 
the Delawarcs, summoned the Minisink or Muncy, and the Pompton Indians, 
who iiad joined the enemy, to meet him at BurHngton. Thither, they des- 
patched deputies, who opened a council, on the 7th of August, 1758, at 
which a Mingo attended, who, exercising the right of a conqueror, declared, 
the Muncys to be women, and, consequently, unable to treat for themselves; 
and proposed to adjourn the conference, to the council fire, about to be lighted 
at Easton — to which, the governor readily acceded.* The great council 
holden at this place, in October, 1758, had the general pacification of the 
Indian tribes, for its chief object. A special conference was, however, had, 
by Governor Bernard, with the chief of the united nations, the Minisinks, 
Wapings, and other tribes, on the 18th of that month; when he obtained, 
in consideration of one thousand dollars, a release of the title of all the In- 
dians, to every portion of New Jersey. 

The commissioners, subsequently, with the consent of the Indian attor- 
neys, purchased a tract ol" more than three thousand acres of land, called 
" Brotherton," in Burlington county, on Edgepeling creek, a branch of the 
Atsion river, upon which, there were a cedar swamp, and a saw mill ; and 
adjacent, many thousand acres of poor, uninhabited land, suitable for hunt- 
ing, and convenient for fishing on the sea shore. This j)roperty was vested 
in trustees, for the use of the Indians, resident south of the Rai'itan, so that 
they could neither sell nor lease any part thereof; and all persons, other than 
Indians, were forbidden to settle thereon. Soon after the purchase, they 
were assisted by the government to remove to this spot, and to erect commo- 
dious buildings. In 1765, there were about sixty persons seated here, and 
twenty more at Weekpink, on a tract secured, by an English right, to the 
family of King Charles, an Indian sachem. But no measure has yet been 
devised, to avert the fiat which has gone forth against this devoted race. 
This feeble remnant having obtained permission to sell their lands, in num- 
ber between seventy and eighty, removed, in 1802, to a settlement on the 
Oneida lake, belonging to the Stockbridge Indians, who had invited their 
" Grandfathers to eat of their dish," saying, " it was large enough for both;" 
and adding, with characteristic earnestness, that, " they had stretched their 
necks, in looking towards the fire-side of their grandfathers, until they were 
as long as those of cranes." The united tribes remained here until 1824; 
when the encroachments of the whites induced them, with the Six Nations, 
and the Muncys, to quit New Stockbridge, and to })urchase from the Meno- 
mees, a large tract of land on the Fox river, between Winnebagoe Lake, 
and Green Bay, and extending to Lake Michigan. In 1832, the New Jersey 
tribe, reduced to less than forty, applied by memorial, to the Legislature of 
the State, setting forth, that they had never conveyed their reserved rights 
of hunting and fishing, on unenclosed lands, and had appointed an agent, to 
transfer them on receipt of a compensation. This agent, a venerable chief 

Wooley, George Wheelwright, Peepey, Josepli Cnish, William Loulax, Gabriel 
Mitop, Zeb. Conchoe, Bill Nevvs, John Pembolus; Mountain Indians, Moses Totaniy, 
Philip; Raritan Indian, Tom Evans; Jlncocus Indians, Robert Kekott, Jacob Mullis, 
Samuel Gosling; Indians from Cranbury, Thomas Store, Stephen Calvin, John Pomp- 
shire, Benjamin Glaus, Joseph Wooley, Josiah Store, Isaac Still, James Calvin, Peter 
Calvin, Dirick Quaquaw, Ebenczar Wooley, Sarah Stores, widow of Quaquahela; 
Southern Indians, Abraham Loques, Isaac Swanelae. John Pompshire, interpreter. 

* The degradation of the Delawares, or Lenape, is apparent upon every occasion, 
on which the Mcngwe assemble with them. Benjamin, who on this occasion replied 
to Governor Bernard, on behalf of the Muncy Indians, held a belt in his hand, but 
spoke whilst sitting, not being allowed to stand, until the Mingo had spoken. — Min. 
of Treaty.— Smith's Hist. JV. J. 450. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 65 

of seventy-one years of age, bore the name of Bartholomew S. Calvin. He 
had been selected by J. Brainerd, brother of the celebrated Indian mission- 
ary, and placed at Princeton College, in 1770; where he continued, until 
the revolutionary war cut otf the funds of the Scotch Missionary Society, by 
whom he M-as supported. He afterwards taught school, for a number of 
years, at Edgepeling, where he had as many white as Indian pupils. As all 
legal claim of the tribe, was even by its own members, considered barred by 
voluntary abandonment, the Legislature consented to grant remuneration, as 
an act of voluntary justice; or rather, as a memorial of kindness and com- 
passion, to the remnant of a once powerful and friendly people, occupants 
and natives of the State, and as a consummation of a proud fact, in the his- 
tory of New Jersey, that every Indian claim to her soil, and its franchises 
had been acquired by fair and voluntary transfer. By the act of 12th 
of March, the treasurer was directed to pay to the agent, two thousand dol- 
lars, upon filing in the secretary's office, a full relinquishment of the rights 
of his tribe. 

In all the measures of the state for the extinction of Indian title, it will be 
observed that she was moved by principles of justice, humanity, and sound 
policy. No pecuniary benefit resulted directly to the treasury, as she pos- 
sessed, in her own right, not a single acre of the soil. This, by every title,, 
legal and equitable, was fully vested in the proprietaries, respectively, of East 
and West Jersey ; and we proceed to consider, concisely, the principles which 
they adopted for its disposal. 

X. By the several " Concessions" of Berkeley and Carteret, and their 
grantees, the twenty-four general proprietors, lands were given to settlers, 
masters, and servants, males and females, in designated quantities, subject to 
an annual quit-rent, and the extinction of the Indian title. This was the 
common tenure until the 13th January, 1685,* and some kw instances 
occur so late as 1701. Lands thus granted were denominated "head lands.^* 

The mode of the grant was devised with due regai-d to the ease and safety 
of the grantees. A warrant signed by the governor and major part of the 
council, was directed to the survey or- general, commanding him to survey a 
specific number of acres. Upon this warrant the surveyor endorsed his re- 
turn; both were recorded by the register, and upon certificate from the 
governor and council, he issued a patent, which receiving the signature of 
the governor and council, was, also, duly registered. A reservation, not 
ordinarily expressed in the patent, was made of all mines of gold and 
silver. 

There was, however, another source of legal title, to lands in the province, 
in the Swedish and Dutch authorities; under the latter of which, many tracts 
were holden in East and West Jersey, accompanied with an Indian title, 
obtained by the holders. Upon the English conquest, the principle was, im- 
mediately, established, that no Indian right could be purchased, except by 
license fi-om the English proprietors. Thus, that license was required for 
the Elizabethtown tract, and was given by Colonel Nicholls before, and in 
ignorance of, the transfer to Berkeley and Carteret. Governor Philip Car- 
teret, also, gave such licenses, but, always subject to the "Concessions," 
which required the purchaser from the Indians, to take a proper and formal 
title from the general proprietors. In such case, when the Indian grant 
covered more than the location of the grantee, he was entitled to contribu- 
tion from all who were benefitted by it. Thus, when under his license, the 
Newark settlers procured the Indian release for more lands than they had 
appropriated to imported heads in 1685, they claimed, and in 1692 received, 

* Elizabethtown Bill iu Chancery See ante, p. 26. 



66 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Irom tlio council of proprietors, a full indemnity, in the grant of one hundred 
acres of land more than the)^ were entitled to by the Concessions, for each 
of the original settlers, at a quit-rent of six-pence sterling the hundred, instead 
of four shillings and tv/o-pencc, per annum. 

In the year 1680, governor Andross, after his usurpation of authority in 
New Jersey, encouraged purchases from the Indians, in derogation of the 
proprietary rights. But the Duke of York, on complaint, not only disowned 
the acts of his deputy, but removed him from oflice. Many of such pur- 
chasers, afterwards, took title from the proprietors, in due form; but the 
danger of the practice, induced an act of Assembly, in 1683, prohibiting all 
treaties with the Indians, without license from the governor. During the 
confusion resulting from the rival claims of Mr. Basse and Mr. Hamilton 
to the government, from 1698 to 1702, this act was disregarded, and 
purchases were made from the natives. But, in 1703, as soon as the go- 
vernment was resettled, another act annulled them, and required the pos- 
sessor to take a proprietary title, within six months from its passage. This 
act, also, prescribed the method by which the proprietaries, themselves, in- 
dividually, should obtain license to treat with the natives; and imposed a 
penalty of forty shillings per acre, upon every one who should purchase 
without license. 

We have elsewhere spoken, particularly, of the Elizabethtown purchase.* 
Many of the claimants under the Indian title, took patents from the proprie- 
tors; but others have steadfastly relied upon it, resisting all efforts of the pro- 
prietors to recover quit-rent, or locate warrants, and have repeatedly disturbed 
the public peace by their violence. This pertinacity has been maintained, 
notwithstanding the only plausible pretence of title, was in the sanction of 
Governor Nicholls, as the deputy of the Duke of York, given after the right 
had passed from the Duke to his grantees, and notwithstanding such sanction 
was formally disavowed by the Duke, 25th November, 1672. This claim 
purchased for a i'ew pounds, the very payment of which is uncertain, covered 
400,000 acres, between the Raritan and Passaic Rivers. Irregular Indian 
titles were also set up in Middlctown and Shrewsbury townships, but were 
early abandoned ; the claimants taking patents from the proprietors, and re- 
ceiving an indemnity for their expenditure in the grant of 500 acres of land, 
each. Some of the inhabitants of Newark, also pertinaciously claimed an 
exclusive right under the Indian grant, refusing to pay quit rents, and play- 
ing a conspicuous part in the riots which were, from time to time, excited by 
efforts to enforce proprietary rights. The adverse claims of the Newark peo- 
ple, were, probably, settled by arbitration and acquiescence."!" But although 
many suits have been brought at law, and a most ably drawn bill, containing 
the whole case has been filed in chancery, the proprietaries have been unable 
to obtain an eflectual determination of the question arising out of the Eliza- 
bethtown pretension. The quit rents throughout East Jersey, are due and 
demandable ; but the lapse of time, and the division of tracts and interests 
render it impossible to collect them. In one instance, only, that of the quit- 
rent on the town of Bergen, of £15 sterling, per annum, a commutation after 
suit brought, has been made between the tenants and proprietors. 

For a short period after the purchase of the province, by the twenty-four 
proprietaries, the grant of bounty or head lands, was continued. The pro- 
prietaries soon after their acquisition, sold many small shares, to persons who 
transported themselves and families into the Eastern division. And they 

* See page 27. 

t See Appendix note O, for a copy of a letter from David Ogden, esq., 20lh February, 
1767, and see Fhila. Lib. No. 1588, octavo. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 67 

agreed to divide part of the lands remaining in common, among themselves 
in proportion to their rights. Dividends were thus made irom time to time. 
The fii'st consisted of 10,000 acres to each share, or twenty-fourth part, and 
to fractions of a share in the same proportion. These dividends were to be 
located in any place, not before appropriated. And to restrain the locations 
within proper limits, a number of the proprietaries, resident in New Jersey, 
convened from time to time with the governor, to examine the rights of the 
respective claimants, in order to determine what was due to each; and upon a 
certificate of five of them, the governor issued the proper warrants of survey. 
This council first met on the 13tli November, 1684. In other respects, the mode 
of location and of obtaining of title, was similar to that pursued by the first 
proprietaries under their Concessions, except, that in patents to the proprietors, 
no quit-rents were reserved. This mode continued until after the surrender 
of the government, and the arrival of the first governor appointed by Queen 
Anne. 

Upon the 2d of December, 1702, two further dividends having been made, 
a general order was declared, that the surveyor-general should survey to 
each proprietor his proportion without further particular warrant, by which 
the duty of inquiry into the rights of each proprietary, and ordering warrants, 
devolved upon that officer. At the same time, a former regulation was re- 
newed, directing that no survey should be made to any person, whose title 
was not upon record with the register ; who by means of an account opened 
with each proprietary, could certify the true condition of his share. 

The office of register, which was established by the Concessions, and was 
always in the nomination of the proprietaries, was recognised by Act of As- 
sembly, 21st February, 1692. Upon the surrender of the government to the 
crown, it was agreed, that the governors to be appointed, should be instruct- 
ed to procure from the assembly, such acts, whereby the right of the pro- 
prietaries to the soil might be confirmed to them, together with such quit- 
rents as they had reserved, and that the particular estates of all purchasers, 
claiming under the general proprietaries, should be also confirmed and settled ; 
and he was required not to permit any person, other than such pi-oprietors 
and their agents, to purchase lands from the Indians. These instructions were 
regularly continued to the respective governors. 

In 1719, the act for running, and ascertaining the division line between 
East and West Jersey, and other purposes, required, that the surveyor-gene- 
ral of the respective divisions, should keep by themselves, or deputies, a public 
office in the cities of Perth Amboy and Burlington, respectively, in which 
should be, carefully, entered and kept, the surveys of all lands, thereafter, made, 
which should be of record, and pleadable in the courts. Authority was also 
given to such officers, respectively, to collect, and preserve all muniments of 
title, which might be of general use for proving the rights of the proprietaries, 
or persons claiming under them ; and the officers were required to give bond 
to the governor for the. use of the proprietors, in the sum of one thousand 
pounds, conditioned for the faithful performance of their duties. 

As the practice which now universally prevailed, of the proprietaries or their 
vendees laying their warrants wherever they could, or supposed they could, 
find vacant lands, and as the surveys were not regularly recorded, many per- 
sons not only surveyed lands which had been formally appropriated, but even 
settled and improved them, and were afterwards ousted. For remedy of this 
grievance, the same act provided, that all surveys theretofore made, the certifi- 
cates of which were in the hands of any of the inhabitants of this or the neigh- 
bouring province, which were not within two years, and such certificates as 
were in the hands of persons living beyond seas, which were not within three 
years, after the publication of the act, duly recorded, either in the recorder's 



68 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

office, or in the surveyor-general's record of the division, in which such lands 
were surveyed, should be void; and any succeeding survey duly made and 
recorded, should be as good and sufficient, as if no former survey had been 
made. 

After the surrender of the government, by which the governor ceased to 
be an officer of the proprietaries, no more patents could be made under the 
seal of the province. The proprietaries of East Jersey, observing that those 
of West Jersey had never used that method for appropriating their dividends, 
but had made all their divisions by warrants from their council of proprieta- 
ries, after inspection of the right of the claimant and survey thereon made 
and certified by their surveyor-general and recorded, resolved to adopt the 
same form of obtaining their dividends in severalty. And this mode, since 
1703, has continued to prevail in both East and West Jersey. 

The council of proprietaries of East Jersey, having devolved their princi- 
pal duties on the surveyor-general, they, after the surrender, ceased to meet, 
unless on special occasions. But finding this inattention prejudicial to their 
interests, a majority of the general proprietors, their attorneys, and agents, 
by an instrument, dated the 25th day of March, 1725, agreed, that, a cer- 
tain number therein mentioned, having, in their own right, or by proxy, 
eight whole proprietaries, should make a council, with power to appoint the 
receiver of the quit-rents, the register, and the surveyor-general, declare 
dividends, examine claims, grant warrants of survey, and, generally, to do 
all things requisite for the management of proprietary affairs. The council 
commonly held two stated meetings, annually, at Perth Amboy, and con- 
vened, also, when specially required. From 1725, to the present period, it 
has continued to administer the affairs of the proprietaries of East Jersey, 
without intermission.* 

The whole number of dividends, made by the proprietaries of East Jersey, 
are eleven of "^ood right" and three of ^^pine right;'''' the first, amounting 
to thirty-eight thousand, and the second, four thousand, acres to each share. 
A very great portion of these rights have been located, but the stock is not 
yet exhausted. In Monmouth there is much vacant land, but it is not valua- 
ble; in the northern counties, Sussex, Bergen, and Morris, there is little un- 
appropriated; but in Middlesex, Somerset, and Essex, there is none unlo- 
cated.f 

XI. Soon after the purchase by the West Jersey proprietaries, they re- 
solved to divide their territory into ten parts or precincts, and the whole into 
one hundred shares or actions. To this end, chapter first of the Conces- 
sions, provided, that the commissioners, for the time being, " should take 
care for the setting forth and dividing all the lands of the province, as were 
already taken up, or by themselves shall be taken up and contracted for, 
with the natives, and the said lands to divide into one hundred parts, as 
occasion shall require; that is to say, for every quantity of land that they 
shall, from time to time, lay out to be planted and settled on, they shall first, 
for expedition sake, divide the same into ten equal parts or shares ; and, for 
distinction sake, mark in the register, and upon some of the trees, belonging 
to every tenth part, the letters A B, and so end at the letter K." The 

* Mr. John Rutherford is now, or was lately, its president, and James Parker, Esq. 
the register. To the latter gentleman I express my obligation, for the readiness and 
kindness, with which he has communicated much information relative to the eastern 
land office, and other subjects of general interest. Its first president was Lewis 
Morris, afterwards governor. 

1 Proprietary rights of East Jersey have sold, since 1797, generally, at about one 
dollar the acre, wholesale — sometimes higher, if scarce, before a dividend. The retail 
price has been about one dollar and fifty cents the acre. The value in 1834, is stated 
at one dollar, or seventy-five cents per the acre, in large quantities. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 69 

commissioners were .then instructed to give preference to certain individuals 
of the county of York,* for themselves and friends, who were described, "as 
a considerable number of people, who might speedily promote the planting 
of the said province," in the choice of any one of such tenths. Afterwards, 
any other person or persons, who should go over to inhabit, and have pur- 
chased to the number of ten proprietaries, should have liberty to make 
choice of any of the remaining parts: and all other proprietaries who should 
go over to settle, and could make up amongst them the number of ten pro- 
prietors, might elect to settle in any tenth, not before appropriated. The 
commissionei's were empowered to see such tenth part, so chosen, laid out 
and divided into ten proprietaries, and to allot the settlers so many proprie- 
taries out of the same, as they had order for. And the commissioners were 
instructed to follow these rules, until they should receive contrary directions 
from the major part of the proprietors. 

To encourage the settlement of the province, the proprietaries of West 
Jersey, also, adopted the plan of granting head lands, as in East Jersey, with 
some modification, of the conditions. Thus — 1. To all persons, who, with 
the consent of one or more of the proprietaries, should transport themselves 
or servants to the province, before the 1st April, 1677, there were granted, 
for his own person and for every able man servant, each, seventy acres ; and 
for every weaker servant, male or female, exceeding the age of fourteen 
years, fifty acres ; and to every servant, when free, fifty acres in fee : 2. To 
masters and able servants, arriving before the 1st of April, 1678, fifty 
acres, and to such weaker servants, thirty acres ; and to servants, after the 
expiration of their service, thirty acres : 3. To every freeman, arriving in 
the province between the 1st of April, 1678, and the 1st of April, 1679, with 
an intention to plant, forty acres ; for every able man servant the like quan- 
tity, and for such weaker servant, twenty acres ; with twenty acres to each 
servant at the expiration of service : Upon lands of the first class, there was 
reserved an annual quit-rent to the proprietor, his heirs and assigns, to whom 
the said lands belonged, of one penny an acre for what should be laid out in 
towns, and a half-penny an acre, for what should be laid elsewhere ; the 
rent to commence two years after the lands were laid out: upon lands of the 
second class, one penny farthing, the acre, when in tovvns, and three far- 
things the acre, elsewhere : and on lands of the third class, one penny half- 
penny the acre, in tovvns, and one penny the acre, elsewhere. 

Lands so granted and settled, were to be holden, on condition, that every 
hundred acres should contain, at least, two able men servants, or three such 
weaker servants, and so proportionately, for a lesser or greater quantity, 
beside what the master or mistress should possess, as granted for his or her 
own pei'son. On failure of which, on notice to the occupant or his assigns, 
three years time was given for completing the number of servants, or for 
the sale of such portion of the lands, as should not be so peopled. And, if, 
within such three years, the holder should fail to provide such number of 
persons, (unless the General Assembly, without respect to poverty, should 
judge it to have been impossible, to keep such number of servants), the 
commissioners, upon verdict and judgment of a jury of the neighbourhood, 
were empowered to dispose of so much land, for any term not exceeding 
twenty years, as should not be planted with the due number of persons, to 
some other, that would plant the same ; reserving to the proprietor his rents. 
It was fiirthcr provided, that every proprietor, who should go over in person, 
and inhabit, should maintain upon every lot he should take up, one person 

* Thomas Hutchinson of Beverly, Thomas Pearson of Benwicke, Josopli Holmcsly 
of Great Kelke, George Hutchinson of Sheffield, and Mahlon Stacy of Hemsworth. 



70 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

for every two hundred acres. " And all other proprietors, that do but* go 
over in person and inhabit, should keep upon every lot of land that should 
fall to them, one person at least, and if the lot exceed one hundred acres, 
then, upon every hundred acres, one person. And upon neglect, the conni- 
missioners were empowered to dispose of the lands, as in the preceding 
case. This obligation for keeping servants upon lands was to continue in 
force for ten years, from the date of the Concessions ,• unless where, in case 
of default, the commissioners had let the lands for a longer period. 

For the regular laying out of lands, the register having recorded a grant 
from a proprietor, for any quantity of acres, made out a certificate to the 
surveyor, or his deputy, enjoining him, to survey such quantity, from the 
share of such proprietor ; which done, the surveyor returned the survey to 
the register, and such return was duly registered in a book kept for that 
purpose, and an endorsement of the entry was made on the back of the 
warrant. 

The commissionei's elected by the Assembly, in 1681, prescribed ad- 
ditional rules for the settlement of lands; by which, the surveyor was 
required to measure the front of the river Delaware, beginning at Assunpink 
Creek, and proceeding thence, to Cape May, that the point of the compass 
might be found, for running the partition line between each tenth. Each 
tenth was to have its proportion of front, on the river, and to run so far back 
into the woods, as to give it 64,000 acres for first settlement, and for sub- 
dividing the Yorkshire and London two-tenths : Three thousand two hun-' 
dred acres, were allowed, where the parties concerned pleased to choose it, 
within their own tenth, to be taken up in the following manner; one-eighth 
part of a proprietary, and so for smaller parts, to have their full proportion 
of the said land, in one place (if they pleased) ; and greater shares, not to 
exceed five hundred acres, to one settlement. All lands, so taken up and 
surveyed, were to be seated within six months, after being taken up ; upon 
penalty, that the choice and survey should become void ; in which case, they 
might be taken up by any other purchaser, he seating them, within one 
month after they should be taken up : No person was permitted to take up 
lands on both sides of a creek, for one settlement, unless for special cause* 
Nor to have more than forty perches front, to the river or navigable creek, 
for every hundred acres, except it fell upon a point, so that it could not be 
avoided — when the commissioners might exercise their discretion : All lands 
were to be laid out, on straight lines, that no vacancies should be left between 
tracts, except in special cases, to be determined by the commissioners : All 
persons were allowed their just proportion of meadow, at the discretion of 
the same officers : Persons already settled, were at liberty to make their set- 
tlements their choice, following the rules prescribed : Every proprietor was 
allowed four hundred acres to his proprietary, and proportionably to lesser 
quantities, for town lot; over the 3200 above mentioned, which might be 
taken any where within his own tenth, either within or without the town 
bounds : No person having taken up a town lot, was permitted to leave it, 
and take a lot elsewhere ; nor could any one take up more land within the 
town bounds, than belonged to his town lot, by virtue of his purchase : No 
person, not a purchaser, to whom town lot, or lots, were given, was permit- 
ted to sell his lot of land, separate from his house, on penalty of the sale 
being void, and the lot forfeited to the town of Burlington, to be disposed of 
therein, a:t the discretion of the commissioners : No person, thenceforth, was 
permitted, to take up any land without special order, from two or more 

* The word but here is found in Learning and Spicer's Collection, and in Smith's 
History. Sed quere whether the word "not" ought not to be substituted. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 71 

commissioners for the time being: All settlements were to be modified con- 
formably with the preceding rules : The proprietors in England, were to be 
notified, that it was necessary for the speedy settlement of the province, and 
all concerned therein, that there should be allowed to each pi'oprietary 3200 
acres, for the first choice {first dividend); and in case of the arrival of 
many adventurers, who purchased no land in England, the commissioners 
reserved the liberty to take up as much more land, as should give to every 
proprietor, a quantity not exceeding 5200 acres, which had been allowed 
for the first settlement (dividend). But that no one should take up any such 
portion of land, but as they should settle it ; and after the 3200 should have 
been settled : All public high-ways were to be laid out at the discretion of 
the commissioners, through any lands, allowing the owners reasonable satis- 
faction: All persons having taken up lands within the first and second tenth, 
were required to present their muniments of title, to certain of the commis- 
sioners, for inspection ; and persons thereafter taking up lands, within such 
tenth, wei'e i-equired to declare, before such commissioners, upon the pains of 
perjury, that the quantity specified in their respective deeds, did really, and 
in good conscience, belong to them ; upon which such commissioners might 
grant a warrant to the surveyor, enjoining him to return such warrant and 
survey, at the next court, after sui'vey, that the same might be registered by 
order of the court: The proprietors and purchasers, within the first and 
second tenths, had liberty to take their full proportions, as before, within 
mentioned, of the first and second choice, provided they did not, respectively, 
take up more than five hundred acres, in one settlement. 

By the subdivision of the proprietys, it soon became difficult to ascertain 
the sense of those interested; and great detriment arising to the business of 
the province, it was resolved by the proprietors, on the 14th of February, 

1687, to constitute a proprietary council, consisting of eleven commissioners, 
to be annually elected, from among themselves ; which number was in the 
subsequent year reduced to nine. These commissioners were empowered to 
act and plead in all such affairs, as should concern the body of the proprie- 
tors, as fully and effectually as if every pi'oprietor were present; and two 
shillings per day were allowed them as a compensation. In November, 

1688, the commissioners gave the following instructions relative to the ex- 
amination of deeds, and granting of warrants, for taking up of lands. 1. 
That no warrants should be granted, but upon the production of good deeds, 
authentic copies, or an extract of the record of such deed, under the regis- 
ter's hand. 2. That the deeds signed by Edward Byllinge, only, before the 
year 1682, were insufficient to sustain warrants. 3. That there should be a 
particular warrant, for every separate deed or particular purchase. 4. That 
the president of the council should, from time to time, grant warrants for the 
commissioners for the taking up their own lands. 5. That warrants, for lay- 
ing out the lands of the surveyor-general, should not be directed to him, but 
to some other person, at the discretion of the commissioner, issuing the war- 
rant. 6. That every proprietor demanding a warrant, should engage to pay 
his proportionate share of expense of the management of the proprietary afl^airs. 

Under this council, the land affairs of West Jersey have been administer- 
ed, to the present day. The right to head lands, as we have seen, ceased 
after tlie first of April, 1678. From that period, all titles were derived from 
individual proprietors. Dividends were declared from time to time, and 
carried to the credit of each proprietor, who was then at liberty to locate, or 
to sell unlocatcd, the quantity appropriated to his share, wherever it could be 
found unsurvcyed. 

XII. The boundary between East and West Jersey, though of no political 
importance, was long a vexed, and still continues an unsettled question. The 



72 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

line of partition was geographically fixed by the quintipartite deed, between 
the proprietors, of the first of July, 1676, confirmed by Act of Assembly, 27th 
March, 1719. But some difficulties occurred, subsequently, in making the 
partition, to the understanding oi" which, we must take a review of the titles of 
the respective proprietors. 

The patent from Charles I. to the Duke of York, conveyed all the country 
now within the states of New York and New Jersey. The deed from the 
Duke to Berkeley and Carteret, extended New Jersey, " northward as far as 
the northernmost branch of the bay, or river Delaware, which is in 41° 40' 
of latitude, and from thence in a straight line to Hudson's river in 41° of lati- 
tude." Lord Berkeley conveyed his undivided moiety in fee to Fenwicke, in 
trust for Byllingc, and Fenwicke conveyed such moiety to Penn, Lawrie and 
Lucas, reserving a tenth to himself, which tenth he subsequently assigned to 
Eldridge and Warner, who conveyed it to Penn, Lawrie, and Lucas, the better 
to enable them, in conjunction with Byllingc, to make partition of the entire 
province with Sir George Carteret. These parties by the quintipartite deed, 
after expressly declaring, that, the province extended northward, as far as the 
northernmost branch of the river Delaware, which is in 41° 40' latitude, de- 
termine that the line of partition shall be a straight line drawn from the most 
northerly point or boundary on the Delaware, to the most southerly point of 
the East side of Little Egg Harbour. The confirmation of the Duke of York, 
(6th August, 1680,) to the West Jersey proprietor, and his confirmation, 
(14th March, 1682), to the twenty-four East Jersey proprietors, recognise 
the northern boundary as above described, and referring to the quintipartite , 
deed, give the limits accordingly. 

As the country became populous, much uneasiness was excited by sundry 
fruitless attempts for running the partition line, and the uncertainty relative to 
the point at which the designated latitude would fall. For remedy whereof, 
the Act of Assembly of 1719 was passed. This, after recognizing the quin- 
tipartite deed, and prescribing that a straight and direct line from the most 
northerly point of New Jersey, on the northernmost branch of the river Dela- 
ware, to the most southerly point of a beach on Egg Harbour, should be the 
division line, appoints commissioners to run the line and provides, that, which 
ever board of proprietors had appropriated lands of the other, should give an 
equivalent of lands, in satisfaction, and that the then settlers should be quieted. 

Pursuant to this act, and another for establishing the boundary line with 
the province of New York, Governor Hunter commissioned John Johnstone, 
and George Willocks of the eastern division, Joseph Kirkbride, and John 
Reading of the western division, and James Alexander, surveyor-general of 
both divisions, in conjunction with commissiouers from New York, to discover 
and determine which of the streams of Delaware is the noi'thcrnmost branch 
thereof, and also the place on such branch that lies in latitude 41° 40'. 
These commissioners together with Robert Walter and Isaac Hicks commis- 
sioners, and Allain Jarrat surveyor on the part of New York, after designa- 
ting the Fishkill branch, and fixing the point of latitude in the low land, in 
the Indian town called Cosheghton, on the east side of the river, executed an 
indenture tripartite, certifying the above result of their labours. After which, 
the West Jersey commissioners retired, protesting that their business was 
completed. 

The northern station point thus fixed, appears to have been recognised and , 
acquiesced in by both parties; yet the division line was not run for many 
years. But random lines were made along the whole distance of the extreme 
points, that the true line might be marked with the greater certainty and ease; 
and such lines served to regulate future surveys. 

The assigns of Carteret and Berkeley were respectively entitled to a 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 73 

moietv of the province, and unacquainted with the true geography of the 
■ ■ > )r, they imagined that the Hne given in the quintipartite deed, would 
effect their intentions; and the idea of equality of partition seems to 
prevailed, until about the year 1687, when its propriety was questioned 
• i. Daniel Coxe. Under this idea, in the year 1686 an agreement was 
'o between Robert Barclay, and the proprietors of East Jersey, and Ed- 
' Byllinge, and the proprietors of West Jersey, for running the partition 
. o as to give "as equal a division of the province" as was practicable. 
. ,ant to which. Lord Neil Campbell, Governor, and captain Andrew Ham- 
. and John Campbell of East Jersey, and John Skene, deputy governor, 
Samuel Jennings and others of West Jersey, all of whom were proprie- 
tors of their respective divisions, entered into bonds, to stand to the award of 
John Reed and William Emley, who were appointed to determine the line, 
and who directed that it should run from Little Egg Harbour, N. N. W. and 
fifty minutes more westerly, which was more than twelve degrees westward 
of the quintipartite line; and was so altered, because the umpires as well as 
the parties to the bonds, were better acquainted with the quantity of land in 
each division, than the parties to the quintipartite deed. The line so award- 
ed, was actually run in the year 1687, by George Keith, surveyor-general 
of East Jersey, from the south station point, to the south branch of the Rari- 
tan ; and now forms the straight line, which in part, bounds the counties of 
Burlington^ Monmouth, Middlesex, Somerset, and Hunterdon. This line' 
was deemed by the West Jersey proprietors to be too far west, and was not 
continued. 

On September 5, 1688, Governors Coxe and Barclay, entered into an 
agreement for terminating all differences concerning the deed of partition; 
stipulating that the line run by Keith, to the south branch of the Raritan, 
should be the bounds, so far, between the provinces, and directing the route 
by which that line should be continued for perfecting the division.* But this 
agreeinent was never carried into effect. 

Subsequent to the determination of the north station point, in 1719, several 
ineffectual attempts were made by the parties to ascertain the line. At length, 
John Hamilton, and Andrew Johnstone, commissioners under the Act of 1719, 
(the latter named in 1740), at the request of the eastern proprietors, in the 
year 1743, appointed John Lawrence to run the line, pursuant to the act of 
Assembly ; which was, accordingly, done in September and October of that 
year. And this line, the East Jersey proprietors allege, has been frequently 
recognised by the West Jersey proprietors, particularly, by the issue of war- 
rants of relocation from the year 1745, to 1765, for lands which were found 
• to be east of this line; by directions given to survey and return for the use 
of the proprietors of the fifth dividend, the gore, or angle formed by Keith's 
and Lawrence's lines ; by numerous surveys inspected, approved and ordered 
to be recorded, which are bounded by Lawrence's line ; and by other acts of 
acquiescence, entered upon their minutes. To this line of Lawrence, the 
East Jersey proprietors still firmly adhere. 

The division line between the provinces of New York and New Jersey, re- 
mained long unsettled, by reason that the latitude of forty-one degrees on 
Hudson's river, was not ascertained. From the zealous and violent preten- 
sions of the border inhabitants in the respective provinces, such disorders 
arose, as to demand the interposition of their respective Legislatures ; and in 
1764, acts were passed in both provinces, referring the subject to the King. 
His Majesty appointed seven commissioners, who, meeting at New York 
on the 18th July, 1769, determined that, the boundary should be a straight 

• See Smith's Hist. N. J. pp. 1[)7, 198. 
K 



74 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

and direct line, not from the station point in latitude 41° 40', as fixed by the 
commission of 1719, hut from the mouth of the Mackhackamack, at its 
jujiction with the Delaware, in latitude 41° 21' 37", to the latitude of 41° on 
Hudson's river. The controversy with New York, then, and subsequently 
to the year 1719, was deemed, only, to affect the property of the proprietors 
of East Jersey, — the Legislature rejecting their application to defray any 
portion of the expense of settling the boundary line; and the West Jersey 
proprietors refusing to join in their request ; alleging that their stations were 
already fixed, and must remain. 

The alteration of the boundary on the Delaware is supposed to have 
been produced by corrupt influence over the commissioners ; who were all 
crown officers, and by the change, took from the proprietary government of 
New Jersey, and gave to the royal government of New York, large tracts j 
of land, to be granted at its pleasure. The effect of the change was to take \ 
from the East Jersey proprietors, near two hundred thousand acres, and to 
produce a new discussion relative to the partition between East and West : 
Jersey. 

The new station point, at the'confluence of the Mackhackamack with the 
Delaware, now the most northerly point or boundary of the province, on the 
northernmost branch of the river Delaware, with a line thence to the 
station point, at Little Egg Harbour, would make a gore or angle with Law- 
rence's line, near ten miles wide in the northern part, naiTOwing in propor- 
tion as it approached the point of contact, and containing about four hundred 
thousand acres. On the 25th of January, 1775, the West Jersey proprietors 
assuming, that, the new northern station point, was the true northerly boun- 
dary of the province, from which the partition line should commence, and 
altogether losing sight of the words of the quintipartite deed and its depen- 
dencies, which assigned the point on the I'iver, in latitude 41° 40' as the 
station point, petitioned the legislature to pass a law for the final settlement 
of the said line, either in aid of the act of 1719, or by the appointment of 
commissioners, out of the neighbouring province, for that purpose. This 
petition was referred to the succeeding Legislature. On the first of December 
following, Daniel Coxe, president of the board of western proprietors, re- 
quested leave, on their behalf, to bring in a bill for the appointment of com- 
missioners for the same purpose, suggesting the acquiescence of the eastern 
proprietors to the mode proposed, (which acquiescence the eastern proprie- 
tors deny). Leave was granted ; but the public commotions, which soon 
after took place, prevented the execution of the measure. In October, 1782, 
the application to the Legislature was renewed ,stating the object of the west- 
ei'n proprietors to be, " a recompense in value of lands, from the general 
stock of the eastern proprietors: for which purpose," they say, "they un- 
derstand and believe, it is generally known, that, certain lands, called Rama- 
poch, belonging to the general stock of the eastern proprietors, and specially 
excepted in all the warrants of the eastern proprietors, were particularly 
allotted as an equivalent, in case the event should take place, which hath 
since happened, of the station point being fixed farther eastward than was 
formerly expected." This allegation respecting the Ramapoch lands, the 
eastern proprietors, scouted as too void of truth and foundation to need com- 
ment; and resisting the application to the Assembly, contended, that the sub- 
ject was a private dispute between individuals, which should be decided by 
the courts of law or equity. The application of the western proprietors was 
rejected by the Assembly, on a vote of twenty-one to eleven. 

Lawrence's line is now acquiesced in, by the greater part of northern 
Jersey ; but is yet disputed in Monmouth county, and in the region of the 
pines, where, under West Jersey rights, great destruction of timber is com- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 75 

mitted. These rights are sought ; having, hitherto, been sold at a much less 
price than those of East Jersey. The line run by Lawrence, in Sussex 
county, forms the boundary between Byram and Greene, Newton and 
Greene, and Stillwater, and between Walpack and Sandistone townships; 
crossing the Delaware into Pennsylvania, about fifteen miles below the pre- 
sent northernmost point of the state, it strikes the Delaware again, in the 
state of New York, near thirty miles north of the mouth of the Mackhacka- 
mack.* 

* The authorities on which the foregoing statement is made, are — 1. The several 
deeds cited : — 2. The Act of Assembly, 1719 : — 3. The petitions of the respective parties 
in 1782 : — 4. The minutes in the land offices of East and West Jersey : — 5. Smith's 
History; and — G. Circular of West Jersey proprietors, in 1795. The following statis- 
tical view is appended to the petition of the East Jersey proprietors, 1782. 

1. The angle or gore of land which East Jersey lost in the controversy with New 
York, amounts to about 210,000 acres. The remaining quantity of land in New 
Jersey, being the whole amount of the state, is about 4,375,970 acres. 

2. Therefore supposing a line was drawn, dividing the state into two equal half 
parts, and which would be the line of partition between East and West Jersey, each 
division would then contain about 2,187,985 acres. 

3. Supposing Keith's line extended to Delaware river, to be the line of partition 
between East and West Jersey, the quantity of land in East Jersey would, then, be 
about 2,214,930 acres : the quantity in West Jersey 2,161,040 acres. And East Jersey 
would, then, contain 53,890 acres more than West Jersey. 

4. Supposing Lawrence's line to be the line of partition, the quantity of land in 
West Jersey would, then, be about 2,689,680 acres : the quantity in East Jersey, 
1,686,290 acres. And West Jersey would, then, contain 1,003,390 acres more than 
East Jersey. 

5. Supposing a line to be drawn from the Mackhackamack, to the line of partition, 
the quantity of land in West Jersey would, then, be about 3,119,260 acres: the quan- 
tity in East Jersey, 1,256,710 acres. And West Jersey would, then, contain 1,862,550 
acres more than East Jersey. 

6. The angle or gore of land, between Keith's and Lawrence's line, contains about 
528,640 acres. The angle or gore between Lawrence's line, and a line to be drawn 
from the Mackhackamack would contain about 429,580 acres. 



76 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER V. 

Comprising tlie Administration of Lord Cornbury, I. Arrival of Lord Cornbury — 
Demands a large and permanent Salary — being refused, dissolves the House. — 
IL A new Assembly chosen — Part of its Members arbitrarily excluded — Mea- 
sures of the Governor. — IIL Third Assembly convened — Determines to Petition 
the Queen, and to Remonstrate with the Governor — Public Grievances — De- 
livery of the Remonstrance, by Samuel Jennings. — IV. Reply of the Governor. — 
V. Dispute on the Treasurer's Accounts. — VI. The Governor refuses the Mes- 
sage of the Assembly, which they enter upon their Minutes. — VII. The West 
Jersey Proprietors, in England, address a Memorial to the Commissioners of 
Trade and Plantations, against Cornbury — Address of the Lieutenant-Governor, 
and Provincial Council, to the Queen. — VIII. The Governor unable to obtain 
the gratification of his wishes, by the Assembly, first prorogues, and then 
dissolves them. — IX. Offensive Conduct of Lord Cornbury, in his Government 
of New York — His Character. — X. Is reluctantly removed by Queen Anne — 
Imprisoned by his Creditors. 

I. Lord Cornbury arrived in New Jersey, in August, 1703, and met the 
General Assembly, at Amboy, on the 10th of the succeeding November. 
The House prepared several bills, but passed, at this session, only, the act 
prohibiting the purchase of land from the Indians, by any person except the 
proprietaries. At the next session, holden at Burhngton, in September, 1704, 
his lordship recommended to the Legislature, to ascertain by law, the rights 
of the general proprietors to the soil, and to establish some permanent fund, 
for the support of the government. A French privateer having committed 
depredations about Sandy Hook, he, thence, took occasion, also, to require a 
militia law, and the erection of a watch-tower, on the Nevisink Hills. All' 
these measures were beset with difficulties. The people had been accus- 
tomed to pay, as they still are, small salaries to their officers, and were little 
disposed to gratify the wishes of his lordship, in this respect. Those who 
claimed lands under Indian grants, and held adversely to the pi'oprietaries, 
resisted the attempt of the latter to confirm their rights. And every military 
effort was repugnant to the consciences of a large portion of the inhabitants. 
After a dilatory discussion of these embarrassing topics, the House proposed 
a revenue of thirteen hundred pounds, per annum, to endure for three years. 
But this sum, being far short of the governor's expectation, he requiring two 
thousand pounds, per annum, for a term of twenty years, was indignantly 
rejected ; and in the hope of procuring an Assembly, more complaisant, 
he dissolved the present, and hastily commanded the election of another 
House. 

II. The people, who, in the very wantonness of freedom, had involved 
themselves in contentious strife, discovered that they had exchanged king 
Log for king Stork. The precipitate and arbitrary measure of the governor 
was executed in the spirit with which it was conceived. By corrupt efforts, 
a House was obtained, with a large proportion, but not a majority, of the 
members devoted to the governor. To obtain the entire control of this 
body, his lordship resolved, by the advice of his counsellors, to exclude a 
portion of its members, under the false pretence, that they were not qualified 
by the requisite quantity of estate. As the representatives appeared before 
the governor to take the prescribed oaths, without which, they could not 
exercise their offices, he refused to administer them to Thomas Gardiner, 
Thomas Lambert, and Joshua Wright, distinguished delegates from West 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 77 

Jersey, by whose exclusion, he obtained a majority of one, in the House. 
John Fretwell, of Burlington, was chosen speaker, by the casting vote of the 
clerk, who, though nominated by the governor, was admitted by the Assem- 
bly, to use the faculty of a member. 

The House, thus constituted, complimented his excellency, on conducting 
the affairs of his government, " with great diligence, and exquisite manage- 
ment, to the admiration of his friends, and the envy of his enemies ;" and 
granted him a revenue for the support of government, of two thousand 
pounds, for two years ; six hundred of which, were given to the lieutenant- 
governor. Colonel Ingoldsby. Several other acts were passed, among which, 
we find one of amnesty, for offences during the late unsettled state of the 
province, and another establishing a militia, which, by its unnecessary seve- 
rity, gave much disquiet to the Quakers; but no effort was made to confirm 
the proprietary estates. Having obtained all that he immediately required, 
the governor adjourned the House, in December, to the succeeding year, 
with many encomiums on its conduct. 

At the next session, however, his power over it had ceased. The rejected 
members, afler eleven month's exclusion, were admitted to their seats ; the 
governor having been forced, by very shame, to recognise their qualification ; 
which the title deeds of their estates had long before confirmed, to every dis- 
passionate inquirer. But the most interesting object of his lordship, had 
been obtained by the settlement of the revenue, and he was content that the 
existing House should continue, though he could entertain little hope of 
service from it, either to himself or the province. It convened again in No- 
vember, 1705, and October, 1706, but did no business at either session,* 

III. When the term of the revenue had expired, the convocation of the 
Assembly was indispensable for its renewal ; but it was impracticable, by 
any means, to procure another House like to the last. Few of the members 
of that, which met at Burlington on the 5th of April, 1707, were favourably 
disposed to the governor. Its most active leaders, Samuel Jennings, the 
speaker, and Lewis Morris, who had been twice expelled the council, for his 
resistance to the governor's measures, were among the most respectable 
and influential inhabitants of the province, intimately acquainted with its 
interests, and altogether adequate to sustain them. The House, therefore, 
soon after it met, resolved itself into a committee of the whole, with a clerk 
of its own appointment, to consider of the public grievances ; of which it de- 
termined to complain, by petition to the Queen, and remonstrance to the 
governor.* 

In the latter, prepared, most probably, by Morris, they express their regret, 
that, instead of granting to the governor the revenue required from them, it 
became their duty, to lay before him the unhappy circumstances of the pro- 
vince, which they attributed, in some measure, to his long and frequent 
absence from his government. They then proceeded to allege — That, he 
had obstructed the course of justice, by suspending, for years, the execution 
of the sentence of death, pronounced against some women, convicted of 
murder ; and that this delay " was not only a very great charge, but that 
the blood of the innocents cried aloud for vengeance — and just heaven would 
not fail to pour it down upon their already miserable country, if the guilty 
were not made to suffer according to their demerits : That, in criminal cases, 
the accused were condemned to the payment of costs, even when no bill was 
found : That, the sole office for the probate of wills, together with the secre- 
tary's office, were holden at Burlington, to the great inconvenience of the 
inhabitants, who dwelt in the remoter parts of the province : That patents 

* Smith's New Jersey, 284. See Appendix, P. 



78 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

for the exclusive carriage of goods, on the road from BurHngton to Am- 
boy, had been granted for a term of years, contrary to the statute of 21 
Jac. 1 , against monopohcs : That foes had been estabhshed without the au- 
thority of the General Assembly : And that the governor had put the re- 
cords of the eastern division of the province into the hands of one, the pre- 
tended agent of the proprietors,* who did not reside in the province. Some 
of these grievances were certainly of a character to rouse public indignation, 
whilst others were, probably, more the result of circumstances, which would 
have been removed by the Legislative power, as they were offered for con- 
sideration. 

But there were other grievances, which the Assembly deemed of higher 
nature, and attended with worse consequences. Such were — the prohibition 
to the council of proprietors, to issue warrants for land in West Jersey, 
and other unauthorised interferences with proprietary rights — the exclusion of 
the three members from the last House — and the corruption of the governor 
in receiving large sums of money for the dissolution of the first Assembly, in 
order that no act should be passed to compel the payment of proprietary quit- 
rents, and to obtain such officers as the contributors should approve. " This 
House," continues the remonstrance, " has great reason to believe, that the 
money so gathered, was given to Lord Cornbury, and did induce him to dis- 
solve the then Assembly, and by his own authority to keep three members 
out of the next Assembly, and put so many mean and mercenary men in 
office; by which corrupt practice, men of the best estates are severely ha- 
rassed, her Majesty's good subjects in this province, so impoverished, that 
they are not able to give that support to her Majesty's government, as is de- 
sired, or as they would be otherwise inclined to : — And we cannot but be 
very uneasy, when we find by these new methods of government, our liber- 
ties and properties so much shaken, that no man can say he is master of 
either, but holds as tenant by courtesy and at will, and may be stripped of 
them at pleasure. Liberty is too valuable a thing to be easily parted with, 
and when such mean inducements procure such violent endeavours to tear it 
from us, we must take leave to say, they have neither heads, hearts, nor 
souls, that are not moved by the miseries of their country, and are not for- 
ward with their utmost power, lawfully to redress them." 

" We conclude by advising the governor to consider what it is, that princi- 
pally engages the affections of a people, and he will find no other artifice need- 
ful, than to let them be unmolested in the enjoyment of what belongs to them 
of right ; and a wise man that despiseth not his own happiness, will earnestly 
labour to regain their love." 

This free and unceremonious remonstrance lost nothing of its force, in the 
delivery by speaker Jennings. In vain did his lordship attempt to awe his 
constant and spirited temper, by assumed airs of greatness, and by repeated 
interruption, with the cry of stop! whafs that? as the most offensive 
passages were read to him. Jennings, with an affectation of deep humility, 
whenever interrupted, calmly desired leave to read the passages again ; to all 
of which, he gave additional emphasis, so that the second reading was greatly 
more offensive than the first.f 

IV. The indignation of the governor, at this remonstrance, is strongly pour- 
trayed, in a long circumstantial, but not very successful, reply; in which he 
denied the truth of some of its charges, and sought to justify the others. On 
the dread, expressed by the house, of divine vengeance for punishments delayed, 

* Peter Sonmans. 

t When the House had retired, Cornbury, witli some emotion, says the historian 
Smith, told those with him, that Jennings had impudence enough to face the devil. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 79 

he remarked; " I am of opinion, that nothing has hindered the vengeance of 
just heaven, from falling upon this province long ago, but the infinite mercy, 
goodness, long-suffering, and forbearance of Almighty God, who has been 
abundantly provoked by the repeated crying sins of a perverse generation 
among us ; and more especially, by the dangerous and abominable doctrines, 
and the wicked lives and practices of a number of people ; some of whom, 
under the pretended name of Christians, have dared to deny the very es- 
sence and being of the Saviour of the world." The practice of extorting fees 
from the accused against whom no bill was found, he defended on the ground 
of established custom ; admitting, however, that if the juries of the country 
were such as they ought to be, a ditierent rule might be proper. 

"But," he continues, "we find from woeful experience, that there are 
many men, Avho have been admitted to serve upon grand and special juries, 
who have convinced the world, that they have no regard for the oaths they ■ 
take; especially among a sort of people, who, under a pretence of conscience, 
I'efuse to take an oath: and yet, who, under the cloak of a very solemn affirm- 
ation, dare to commit the greatest enormities, especially, if it be to serve a 
" friend," as they call him ; these are the designing men, and the vindictive 
tempers of which all the Queen's good subjects ought to beware, and be pro- 
tected from ; and these are the crying sins which will undoubtedly draw down 
the vengeance of just heaven upon this province and people, if not timely and 
seriously repented of." 

In considering the more heinous charge of corruption, the truth of which 
he peremptorily denies, his lordship demands ; " wlio would not, after such 
assertions, expect to see the governor proved guilty, either of treason or be- 
traying the trust reposed in him, by the Queen, by depriving the subjects of 
their lives, their estates, or their properties ; or, at least, denying them justice, 
and perverting the laws to their oppression? These, or the like crimes, 
manifestly proved, are the only things that can justify men in the accusing a 
governor of corrupt practice, and of shaking the liberties and properties of 
the people. But if none of these things can be proven, but on the contrary, 
it does appear plainly, that no one act of severity, much less of injustice or 
oppression, has been done, since the government of this province come under 
the Queen, but there has been an impartial, just, and equal administration of 
justice observed throughout the whole course of my government, and that 
many acts of mercy have been extended to persons who deserved to be se- 
verely punished ; then what sort of creatures must these bold accusers appear 
to be, in the eyes of all impartial and judicious men? That these are truths 
beyond all contradiction, and which all the people of this province know, I 
do challenge you, and every one of you, to prove to the contrary. And 
though, I know very well, that there are several unquiet spirits, in the pro- 
vince, who will never be content to live quiet, under any government, but 
their own ; and not long under that neither, as appears by their methods of 
proceeding, when the government was in the hands of the proprietaries, 
when many of these very men, who are now the remonstrancers, were in 
authority, and used the most arbitrary and illegal methods of proceeding, 
over their fellow subjects, that were ever heard of; yet, I am satisfied, there 
are very few men in the province, except Samuel Jennings and Lewis Morris, 
men known, neither to have good principles, nor good morals, who have 
ventured to accuse a governor of such crimes, without any proof to make 
out their accusation; but they are capable of any thing but good." 

V. New fuel was added to this flame, already unextinguishable, by a dispute 
relative to the accounts of Peter Fauconier, the provincial treasurer. In the 
examination of which the House found several objectionable items, paid upon 
the governor's order, merely, and without vouchers, which the treasurer re- 



80 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

fused to render without the governor's commands. Upon application for 
these, his lordship replied, that, he had already ordered them ; therein ex- 
ceeding his powers ; inasmuch as the Lord High Treasurer had appointed an 
auditor-general, for the province, who had deputed one to settle the accounts 
of the provincial treasurer ; he being responsible only to the Lord High 
Treasurer. His lordship proffered to explain any articles with which the 
Assembly were dissatisfied; but this, they very properly, decHned, as they 
would have sanctioned the preposterous claim of irresponsibility of the pro- 
vincial treasurer to a provincial Assembly, for the funds of the province, 
and would have placed them still more at the mercy of their extortionate 
rulers. 

VL In the temper which now prevailed among the officei's of the state, 
there was no prospect of joint and beneficial labours ; and the governor, 
probably, dreading a caustic rejoinder to his reply, prorogued the House on 
the 16th, to meet in the following September, at Amboy. A subsequent 
order convened them in October, when they resolved to answer the go- 
vernor's replication, and to raise no money unless their grievances were 
redressed ; in which case, they proposed to grant, for the support of govern- 
ment, fifi:een hundred pounds. On the 28th, they informed the governor, 
that having seen his reply m print, they were disposed to answer it, and 
requested to know, when they might present their rejoinder. He promised 
to receive them in due time ; but having waited for his message until next 
day, and then concluding that he purposed to elude their request, they sent 
a committee with their message, which, he refusing to receive, they caused 
to be entered on their journal. 

In this address the House reiterated and amplified their former complaints, 
and spared no opportunity to give to his excellency the retort courteous. 
From the following examples, the reader will, probably, agree with us, that, ' 
their shafts were keen, if not polished. " It is," say they, " the General 
Assembly of the province of New Jersey, that complains, and not the Qua- 
kers, with whose persons (considered as Quakers) or meetings we have 
nothing to do ; nor are we concerned in what your excellency says against 
them ; they, perhaps, will think themselves obliged to vindicate their meet- 
ings, from the aspersions which your excellency, so liberally, bestows upon 
them, and evince to the world how void of rashness and inconsideration your 
excellency's expressions are, and how becoming it is, for the governor of a 
province, to enter the lists of controversy, with a people who thought them- 
selves entitled to his protection, in the enjoyment of their religious liberties ; 
those of them who are members of this House have begged leave, in behalf 
of themselves and their friends, to tell the governor they must answer him in 
the words of Nehcmiah to Sanballat, contained in the eighth verse of the 
sixth chapter of Nehemiah; viz. There is no suck things done as thou sayest, 
but thoufeignest them out of thine oivn hea?'t." 

In reply to the governor's boast, of the purity of his administration, they 
ask, " are not his Majesty's loyal subjects hauled to gaols, and there lie 
without being admitted to bail ? And those that are," they continue, " is not 
the condition of the recognizances, that, if your excellency approves not of 
their being bailed, they shall return to their prisons ? Are not several of her 
Majesty's good subjects forced to abscond, and leave their habitations, being 
threatened with imprisonment, and having no hopes of receiving the benefit of 
the law, when your excellency's absolute will is the sole measure of it ? Has 
not one minister of the Church of England, been dragged by a sheriff, from 
Burlington to Amboy, and there kept iti custody, without assigning any rea- 
son for it, and at last hauled by force into a boat, by your excellency, and 
transported, like a malefactor, into another government, and there kept in a 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 81 

garrison, a prisoner ; and no reason assigned for it, but your excellency's 
pleasure? Has not another minister of the Church of England been laid 
under the necessity of leaving the province, from the reasonable apprehen- 
sion of the same treatment 1 Is any order of men, either sacred or civil, 
secure in their lives, their liberties, or estates? Where these procedures vi'ill 
end, God only knows." 

" If these, and what we have named before, be acts of mercy, gentleness, 
and good nature — if this be the administering laws, for the protection and 
preservation of her majesty's subjects, then have we been the most mistaken 
men in the world, and have had the falsest notion of things ; — calling that 
cruelty, oppression and injustice, which is their direct opposite, and those 
things, slavery, imprisonments, and hardships, which are freedom, liberty, 
and ease; and must henceforth take France, Denmark, the Muscovian, 
Ottoman, and Eastern empires, to be the best models of gentle and happy 
government." 

VII. Beside these measures of resistance, in the province, to the usurped 
authority and irregular pi'oceedings of the governor, the West Jersey pro- 
prietors, residing in England, addressed a memorial condemnatory of his 
conduct, to the lords commissioners of trade and plantations ; in which, they 
exposed at length, the evils resulting from his interference with their lands. 
The governor sought to repel these attacks, by an address, from the lieuten- 
ant-governor, and his council, to the Queen. After partially stating the 
dissentions in the province, they added, " We are now obliged humbly to 
represent to your majesty, the true cause ; which, we conceive, may lead to 
the remedy of these confusions." 

" The first, is owing to the turbulent, factious, uneasy, and disloyal prin- 
ciples of two men in the Assembly, Mr. Lewis Morris, and Samuel. Jennings, 
a Quaker; men notoriously known to be uneasy under all government — 
men never known to be consistent with themselves — men to whom all the 
factions and confusions in the government of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 
for many years, are wholly owing — men that have had the confidence to 
declare, in open council, that your majesty's instructions to your governors, 
in these provinces, shall not oblige or bind them, nor will they be concluded 
by them, further than they are warranted by the law, of which, also, they 
will be the judges; and this is done by them, (as we have all the reason in 
the world to believe,) to encourage, not only this government, but also the 
rest of your governments in America, to throw off your majesty's royal pre- 
rogative, and, consequently, to involve all your dominions, in this part of the 
world, and the honest, good, and well-meaning people in them, in confusion; 
hoping, thereby, to obtain their wicked purposes. 

" The remedy for all these evils, we most humbly pui-pose, is — that your 
majesty will most graciously please to discountenance those wicked, design- 
ing men, and show some dislike to this Assembly's proceedings; who are 
resolved, neither to support this your majesty's government, by a revenue, 
nor take care to defend it, by settling a militia. The last libel, called 'The 
Reply, &c.' came out so suddenly, that as yet, we have not had time to 
answer it in all its particulars ; but do assure your majesty, it is for the most 
part, false in fact ; and in that part of it which carries any face of truth, they 
have been malicious and unjust in not mentioning the whole truth; which 
would have fully justified my Lord Cornbury's just conduct."* 

It might be questionable at the present day, whether the lieutenant- 
governor, and his council, did not design to betray the cause they seemed to 
defend, when they charged it as a crime upon the citizens of a government 

* See Appendix, Q., for names of Council. 



82 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of laws, that they preferred the la^s, as they understood them, to the in- 
structions of the Queen, and would obey the latter, so far only, as they were 
consistent with the former. But we have, here, only, an additional instance 
of the subserviency, which the love of power and place, every where pro- 
duces. It is the law of society, if not of nature, that men should strengthen 
the hand that feeds them. And ordinary men, like the beast of the stall, 
lick the hand that fattens them, even for the shambles. The dispenser of 
official favours, whether he be a prince or a president, will always find 
minions, ever ready to maintain his prerogative above the law, and we are, 
therefore, not surprised, that such hoped for protection, from a daughter of 
James the Second. 

VIII. Two days after Lord Cornbury had refused to receive the Address 
of the Assembly, he prorogued that body, to the spring of the ensuing year ; 
and thus avoided the necessity of a defence, which he found difficult to sustain. 
The house met in Burlington, on the 5th of May, 1708; and in the illness of 
Jennings, their former speaker, named Thomas Gordon to that office.* The 
governor addressed them with the customary speech ; to which, they replied, 
by repetition of former grievances, and recounting of new ones. Perceiving 
that nothing could be obtained, without the abandonment of the ground he 
had taken, he adjourned them, until September, to meet at Amboy; and in 
the interval, dissolved them. 

IX. In his government of New York, the conduct of Lord Cornbury 
was, if possible, more offensive to the people, than in New Jersey ; and had 
been productive of like results, universal dissatisfaction of the people, and 
entire suspension of legislative action. His character is described as a com- 
pound of bigotry and intolerance, rapacity and prodigality, voluptuousness, 
and cruelty, and the loftiest arrogance, with the meanest chicane. Whether 
from real difference in sentiment, or from a policy, which in those days was 
not uncommon, whilst his father adhered to James, the son attached himself 
to king William, and was among the first officers who deserted to him, on 
his landing at Tor bay. Having dissipated his substance in riot and de- 
bauchery, and being obliged to fly from his creditors, in England, he obtain- 
ed from his patron, the government of New York, which was confirmed by 
his kinswoman. Queen Anne, who added the government of New Jersey. 
He first excited the odium of the people of the former province, by the into- 
lerance he exercised against the Presbyterians, and every other religious 
sect, except the protestant Episcopalians. Though the great body of the in- 
habitants, including the principal families of the province, were of the former' 
persuasion, he prohibited their ministers from preaching without a license 
from himself; implying, that they officiated not of right, but by his indulgence. ' 
He, in one instance, fraudulently seized upon their church properly, and 
delivered it to the Episcopal party ; in another, he indicted two ministers 
from Virginia, who preached without license, for a misdemeanor; but his 
malice was defeated, by the independence of the jury, who refused to con- 
vict. In every part of the province, he tendered his assistance to the Epis- 
copalians, to possess them of the churches, which other sects had built. 
Happily, his conduct in other departments of his government, by uniting all 
parties against him, soon deprived him of the power of instigating one por- " 
tion of society to harass or oppress the rest. Not content with the liberal - 
grants which the Assembly had made him, for his private use, he embezzled 
large sums appropriated to the erection of public works, and unable to sub- , 
sist on his lawful emoluments, even with the addition of enormous pillage, 
he contracted debts, with every tradesman who would trust him, and set lii.^; 

* See Appendix, R. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 88 

creditors at defiance, by means of his official station. The Assembly 
proposed, in vain, to estabhsh a body of functionaries, to control the public 
expenditure, and to account to themselves; and, with as little success, did 
they transmit remonstrances, against him, to the Queen.* The only imme- 
diate result of the latter, was some private instructions to the governor. The 
proposition, to control the public disbursements, was rejected; and, when 
they insisted on a scrutiny of his accounts, he warned them not to provoke 
him, to exert " certain powers entrusted to him by the Queen, and to trouble 
him less about the rights of the House ; as the House possessed no rights, 
other than the grace and good pleasure of her Majesty, suffered it to enjoy." 
By such declaration, and a line of policy strictly conformable therewith, he 
alienated all his adherents ; and when he dissolved one Assembly, for its at- 
tention to the public interest, he was unable to convoke another of different 
character. At length the Assemblies refused to vote the smallest supply for 
the public service, until he should account for all his past receipts and appli- 
cations of public money, and perform the impossible condition of refunding 
the sums he had embezzled. His dissolute habits and ignoble tastes and 
manners, completed and embittered the disgust with which he was, now, uni- 
versally regarded ; and when he was seen rambling abroad in the dress of a 
woman, the people beheld with indignation and shame, the representative of 
their sovereign and ruler of their country.f 

X. At length Queen Anne was compelled, in the year 1709, by the reite- 
rated and unanimous complaints of New York and New Jersey, to supersede 
his commission. No sooner was he deprived of office than his creditors 
threw him into prison. And thus degraded from an honourable station, by 
his public crimes, and deprived of liberty by his private vice and dishonesty, 
this kinsman of his Queen, remained a prisoner, for debt, in the province he 
had governed, till the death of his father, elevating him to the peerage, enti- 
tled him to liberation. He then returned to Europe, and died in the year 
1723.^ 

* See Appendix, S., for resolutions of the Assembly of New York, 
t Grahame's Col. Hist. vol. ii. 302. Smith's New York. 

I Smith's New York, 144, 145, 146, 164. Grahame's Col. Hist. 306. Biograph. 
•Brit. 



84 fflSTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Comprising Events from tlie Removal of Lord Cornbury to the Close of the Administra- 
tion of Governor Hunter — 170'J-17I9. — I. Lord Cornbury succeeded by Lord 
Lovelace — His conciliatory Address to the Assembly. — H. Ready disposition of the 
House to provide for the Support of Government — Change in the Constitution of 
the Assembly — Assembly obtain a Copy of the Address of the Lieutenant Governor 
and Council, to the Queen, in favour of Lord Cornbury — Demand a hearing for 
their Defence before the Governor. — HL Death of Lord Lovelace and Accession 
of Lieutenant Governor Ingoldsby. — IV. Promptitude of the Province to aid in 
reducing the French Possessions in North America. — V. Failure of the Expedi- 
tion, and renewed Efforts of the Colonists to revive it — Visit of the Chiefs of the 
Five Nations to England. — VL Capture of Port Royal, &c. by Colonel Nicholson 
and the American Forces. — VH. Governor Ingoldsby removed — Government 
administered by William Pinhorne as President of Council — succeeded by Go- 
vernor Hunter. — VHL Biographical Notice of Governor Hunter. — IX. Meets 
the Assembly, which prefers Charges against Members of Council. — X. Expul- 
sion of a Member of the House for his Conduct in Council — Address to the 
Queen. — XL Bills proposed for the relief of the Quakers defeated by the Coun- 
cil. — XH. New Efforts for the Conquest of the French Provinces — Unfortunate 
Result. — XIII. Continued quiet of the Province. — XIV. Division of the Assem- 
bly. — XV. Governor Hunter returns to Europe — Testimonials in his favour by 
New Jersey and New York — Exchanges his Commission with William Burnet. 

I. Lord Cornbury was succeeded in his governments of New York and 
New Jersey, by John, Lord Lovelace, Baron of Hurley, who met the council 
of the latter province, at Bergen, December 20th, 1708, and a new Assem- 
bly, at Perth Amboy, in the following spring. 

The principles which directed his administration, were the converse of 
those of his predecessor. He had more confidence in the melting power of 
kindness and respect, than in that of haughtiness and reserve ; in the influ- 
ence of justice and frankness, than in force and fraud, to bend the people to 
his wishes. His address to the House was full of conciliation. He assured 
them, " that he would not give them any just cause of uneasiness under his 
administration, and hoped they would bear with one another ; and that past 
differences and animosities would be buried in oblivion, and the peace and 
welfare of the country, only, would be pursued by each individual." On 
the subject of the support of government and the establishment of a militia, 
the contrast is striking between his course and that of the infatuated Corn- 
bury. Instead of peremptorily demanding a large and fixed annual sum, 
payable for a long period ; he observed, that " her Majesty would not be bur- 
densome to her people ; but there being an absolute necessity, that govern- 
ment be supported, he was directed to recommend that matter to their consi- 
deration ; that they knew best what the province could conveniently raise 
for its support, and the easiest methods of raising it ; that the making a law 
for putting the militia on a better footing than it at present stood, with as 
much ease to the people as possible, required their consideration ; that he 
should always be ready to give his assent to whatever laws they found ne- 
cessary for promoting religion and virtue, for the encouragement of trade 
and industry, and discouragement of vice and profaneness, and for any other 
matter or thing, relating to the good of the province." 

n. These liberal and favourable sentiments were reciprocated by the 
House; they passed a bill, appropriating a sum exceeding seventeen hun- 
dred pounds, for the support of government; an act for settling the mi- 
litia of the province ; an act for the encouragement of the post-office ; and 



HIS'lrORY OF NEW JERSEY. 85 

an act for explaining grants and patents, for land, in the eastern division of 
the province. They, also, availed themselves of the present opportunity of 
changing the constitution of the General Assembly, giving to it a more aris- 
tocratical essence, than it received Ironi the royal instructions. The latter 
required, that, the House should consist of two members elected by the 
householders and inhabitants of the towns of Amboy, Burlington, and 
Salem, respectively, and five members, chosen by the freeholders of the re- 
spective counties. The Assembly now directed that the electors, in all cases, 
should be freeholders, and that two members should be chosen for each of 
the above mentioned towns, and two for each county, and that the members 
should be freeholders of that division, for which they were, respectively, 
elected. The freehold required for the elector and representative, was that 
specified in the instructions, and the House was made the judge of the quali- 
fication of its members. This change was induced by the proprietaries ; to 
whom it was a matter of obvious and deep interest, that, every inhabitant 
should be an owner of land. 

The Assembly obtained from the governor, a copy of the address which 
the lieutenant governor and council had made to the Queen in favour of 
Lord Cornbury; and engaged him to hear their defence of the charges 
against them, in presence of the addressers, but the latter contrived, for a 
season, to elude the inquiry. 

III. The prospect which the province now had of a happy administration, 
in which the interests of the people were duly consulted, and the officers of 
government, liberally and satisfactorily maintained, were content with the 
emoluments the law conferred, was unhappily obscured by the sudden death 
of their popular governor, in a few days after the passage of the above-men- 
tioned laws, and the devolvement of his power upon the Heutenant governor 
Ingoldsby. 

IV. This officer, pursuant to his instruction from the ministers of the Queen, 
laid before the Assembly their demand for aid, in an attack upon the French 
provinces in North America. The French had actively prosecuted the war 
declared against them by England, on the 4th May, 1702, and the northern 
English provinces of America, had suffered greatly from their incursions. In 
the preceding year, they had penetrated to Haverhill, on the Merrimack river, 
and reduced the town to ashes. Upon the entreaty of the inhabitants of 
New England, the ministry adopted a plan proposed by Col. Vetch, for the 
conquest of Arcadia, Canada, and Newfoundland. An attack upon Quebec 
was to be made, by a squadron of ships carrying five regiments of regular 
troops from England, and twelve hundred provincials, furnished by the zeal 
of Massachusetts and Rhode Island ; whilst an army of fifteen hundred men 
from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, conducted by 
Colonels Nicholson and Vetch, should attempt Montreal, by way of the 
lakes. The enterprise, however, was never prosecuted ; the exigencies of 
the war in Europe requiring all the forces of the allies. The quota of troops 
required from New Jersey, was two hundred. The Assembly entered spi- 
ritedly into the views of the ministry; passed one act appropriating three 
thousand pounds to aid the expedition, to be raised by the issue of bills of 
credit; another, for enforcing their currency, and a thii'd for the encourage- 
ment of volunteers. The few Indian chiefs who Avere in the province, were 
summoned before the council, and incited to engage in the enterprise; and 
Col. Schuyler was commissioned by the governors of Connecticut, New Yoi'k 
and Pennsylvania, to direct the efforts of these and of the Five Nations. 

V. Upon failure of the expedition. Col. Nicholson returned to England to 
solicit further assistance, taking with him, five of the Indian sachems of 
the Five Nations, together with Col. Schuyler, whose influence over these 



86 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

warlike savages was almost unbounded. It suited the ministry to make an 
exhibition of these sons of the forest. The court being then in mourning 
for the death of the prince of Denmark, the American kings were dressed 
in black under clothes, and their coarse and filthy blankets were exchanged for 
rich scarlet cloth mantles, trimmed with gold. A more than ordinary solemnity 
attended the audience they had of her Majesty; Sir Charles Cotteral con- 
ducted them in coaches to St. James's; and the Lord Chamberlain introduced 
them into the royal presence, where the chief warrior and orator addressed 
a speech, with the customary belts of wampum, to her Majesty. 

VI. To the solicitations of Colonels Nicholson and Schuyler, the ministry 
returned the most favourable promises; but their execution was so long de- 
layed, that Nicholson resolved to attack Port Royal, with the means at his 
disposal in the colonies. With twelve ships of war and twenty transports, 
having on board one regiment of marines, and four of infantry, raised in 
New England, he assailed and captured the place, and obtained full posses- 
sion of Nova Scotia, on the 5th of October 1710. 

VII. Lieutenant Governor Ingoldsby was, as we have seen, justly obnox- 
ious to the people of New York and New Jersey, and their remonstrances, 
also, procured his removal soon after the dismission of Cornbury. But 
before the arrival of another governor appointed by the crown, the executive 
powers were exercised in New Jersey, by Mr. William Pinhorne, one of the 
most unpopular of the council. He was, however, very soon superseded by 
the arrival of Brigadier General Hunter, on the 14th June, 1710, with the com- 
mission of governor general of the provinces of New York and New Jersey. 

VIII. Governor Hunter was a native of Scotland, and when a boy, was 
put apprentice to an apothecary. But he deserted his master and entered the 
army, and being a man of wit and personal beauty, acquired the affections of 
Lady Hay, whom he afterwards married. He had been nominated in the 
year 1707, lieutenant governor of Virginia, under George, Earl of Orkney; 
but having been captured by the French, in his voyage to that colony, was 
carried into France. Upon his release, he was appointed to succeed Lord 
Lovelace. He was, unquestionably, a man of merit, since he enjoyed the 
intimacy of Swift, Addison, and others, distinguished for sense and learning; 
by whose interest, it is supposed, he obtained this profitable place. He min- 
gled freely with the world, and was somewhat tainted by its follies ; had en- 
gaging manners, blended perhaps, not unhappily, for his success in the pro- 
vince, with a dash of original vulgarity. His administration of ten years' 
duration, was one of almost unbroken harmony, and consequently productive 
of scarcely aught else, worthy of historical notice. 

IX. He met the Assembly of New Jersey on the 6th of December, 1710; 
to whom he delivered a fi-ank, soldierly, and acceptable speech, much in the 
spirit of his predecessor Lovelace. The session continued more than two 
months, during which the joint labours of the governor and House of Repre- 
sentatives were unimpeded, save by the occasional refractoriness of the ob- 
noxious council. This led the House, nothing loth, to the consideration of 
the charges which a majority of the present council had made to the Queen, 
against a former Assembly, whose vindication the present House assumed 
not the less eagerly, that it was composed, almost wholly, of other indi- 
viduals.* 

They presented to governor Flunter a long memorial, in which, these 
members of council were certainly not spared. And if we may judge of 
their characters, from their sycophancy,- no terms of reprobation could 
have been too strong. It was scarce possible for the minions of the most 
despotic and profligate court, to flatter a monarch, more than the council 

* Smith's N. Y. Smith's N. J. See note T. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 87 

of New Jersey did the good Lord Lovelace, in an address, " which," say the 
Assembly, " for the peculiarity of the language, (and we might add, the un- 
inteUigibleness of the terms), ought never to be forgotten." The address 
commenced thus : " Your lordship has not one virtue or more, hut a com- 
plete accomplishment of all pei'fcctions^'' &c. &c. The address to the Queen, 
purporting to be an act of the council, it appears had never been formally 
considered before that body, but had been prepared at the instance of Lord 
Cornbury, and was signed by the counsellors at different times and places; and 
many of them, afterwards, becoming ashamed of its contents, alleged that they 
had signed it without having read it. 

In their defence, the Assembly charge upon the council an attempt to de- 
feat their endeavours, to aid the expedition against Canada, by conspiring to 
negative the acts which they proposed for that purpose. And they allege 
such misdeeds against most of the counsellors, that we are driven to believe, 
that party spirit must have aided much in forming the accusation. Thus ■ 
Mr. Hall is accused of extortion, of imprisoning and selling the queen's sub- 
jects, and "of taking up adrift several casks of flour, denying them to the 
owner, and selling them." — Mr. Sonmans of being indicted for perjury, " from 
which, by a pack'd jury he was cleai-ed, there lieing too much reason to be- 
lieve he was justly accused, and of being a bankrupt," who at this time, and 
for some years past, has lived in open and avowed adultery in contempt of the 
laws. They allege also, that the courts of law, in which the gentlemen of 
the council were judges, instead of being a protection and security to her Ma- 
jesty's subjects, became their chief invaders and destroyers — That though the 
courts were holden, alternately, at Amboy and Burlington, " yet the causes 
of one division were tried in the other, and juries and evidences carried for 
that end ;" that " the writ of habeas corpus, the undoubted right, as well as 
the great privilege of the subject, was by William Pinhorne, Esq. second 
Judge of the Supreme Court, denied to Thomas Goi'don, Esq. then speaker 
of the Assembly ; and, notwithstanding the station he was in, he was kept 
fifteen hours a prisoner, until he applied by the said Pinhorne's son, an attor- 
ney at law ; and then, not before, he was admitted to bail : that, many per- 
sons prosecuted upon informations, had been, at their excessive charo-e, 
forced to attend, court after court, and not brought to trial, when there was 
no evidence to ground such information on : that, the people called Quakers, 
who are by her Majesty, admitted to places of the most considerable trust 
within this province, are sometimes admitted to be evidences, as in a capital 
case, at a Court of Oyer and Terminer, holden by Chief Justice Mompesson, 
Colonel Daniel Coxe, Colonel Huddy and others, on which evidence the pri- 
soner was condemned to be executed ; and sometimes, they are refused to 
be jurors or evidences, either in civil or criminal cases ; so that their safety 
or receiving the benefit of her Majesty's favour, seems not to depend upon 
the laws or her directions, but the humours and caprices of the gentlemen 
who were judges of the court: all persons not friends to the gentlemen 
of the council, or some of them, were sure in any trial at law to suffer ; 
every thing was done in favour of those that were: justice was banish- 
ed, and trick and partiality substituted in its place: no man was secure 
in his liberty or estate; but, both, subjected to the caprices of an incon- 
siderate party of men, in power, who seemed to study nothing more than 
to make them as precarious as possible :" — that " all the original copies of 
the laws, passed in the time of the just Lord Lovelace, are somehow or 
other made away with: Basse* offers to purge himself by his oath, that, he 

* Mr. Jeremiali Basse, once deputy governor under the proprietaries of East Jersey, 
at this time, secretary of state, clerk of council, and protlionotary of tlic Supreme 
Court. 



88 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

has them not, nor knows any thing of them ; and it may be so, for aught 
we know ,• but in this province, where he is known, it is also known, that, 
few men ever beUeved his common conversation, and several juries have 
refused to credit his oaths. It is certain, that the secretary's office is the 
place these laws should have been." " It does appear to have been the inte- 
rest of the lieutenant governor and his friends, to destroy it, (the law appro- 
priating eight hundred pounds to Lord Lovelace) for they had got an act 
passed, which took from the Lord Lovelace three hundred and thirty pounds 
of that money, and gave it to the lieutenant governor ; and two hundred and 
twenty pounds more of it was given to him for the support of the govern- 
ment. Had he sent the act, made in favour of the Lord Lovelace, to the 
Queen, for her approbation or disallowance, it would not have served him, 
had her Majesty approved of it, as, in all probabiUty, she would have done ; 
but had the other gone home first, there was an expectation it might pass, 
the Queen knowing no more about the first act, than that a vote had passed 
in favour of the Lord Lovelace." 

" We are concerned," say the Assembly in conclusion, " we have so 
much reason to expose a number of persons combined to do New Jersey all 
the hurt that lies in their power. Her Majesty has been graciously pleased 
to remove Colonel Richard Ingoldsby, from being lieutenant governor, and 
we cannot, sufficiently, express our gratitude for so singular a favour, and, 
especially, for appointing, your excellency, our governor : we have all the 
reason in the world to be well assured, you will not forget that you are her 
subject ; but will take care, that justice be duly administered to the rest of 
her subjects here ; which can never be done while William Pinhorne, Roger 
Mompesson, Daniel Coxe, Richard Townley, Peter Sonmans, Hugh Huddy, 
William Hall, or Jeremiah Basse, Esquires, continue in places of trust, within 
this province ; nor can we think our persons or properties safe, while they 
do ; but if they are continued, must, with our families, desert this province, 
and seek some safer place of abode." 

These representations are, without doubt, highly coloured ; but there must 
have been great cause for them ; since sustained by the governor, they were 
attended with the desired effect; all the obnoxious counsellors being removed 
by the Queen. 

X. Major Sandford, one of the unfortunate counsellors, who had now been 
elected a member of the Assembly, from Bergen county, was expelled the 
House; it having resolved, "that any one who had signed the false and 
scandalous representation of the representative body of the province, was unfit 
to sit in the House, unless he acknowledged his fault," which the offending 
member refused to do. An address to the Queen was, also, prepared, and 
immediately despatched. 

XI. Since the surrender of the government, by the proprietaries, the ad- 
ministration of the province had been greatly embarrassed by the obstacles 
created by the requisition of oaths from the Quaker inhabitants, who were, 
thereby, precluded from sitting on juries, and from exercising other offices. 
This grievance had been foreseen, and, in some degree, provided for, by the 
instruction of the ministers to Lord Cornbury, directing that he should unite 
with the Assembly in passing an act, to the like effect as that of the seventh 
and eighth of King William^ entitled, " An act, that the solemn affirmation . 
and declaration of the people, called Quakers, shall be accepted, instead of 
oath, in the usual form." The disregard of this just and prudent provision, 
enabled the governor, Cornbury, at will, to admit or reject, the services of 
Quakers, and became one of the means by which he oppressed the people. 
The House proposed to provide against similar abuses, in future, by two 
bills ; one for ascertaining the qualification of jurors, and the other for sub- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 89 

stituting affirmations, for oaths, where a party was conscientiously scrupu- 
lous in taking them. But though laws, for these purposes, were subsequently 
enacted, the opposition of the council, at this time, defeated the efforts of the 
Assembly. And a bill for explaining the militia law, and relieving persons 
aggrieved thereby, met a like fate. 

XII. Animated by his successes in Newfoundland, Colonel Nicholson 
again urged upon the ministry, the reduction of Canada, which had been 
strongly recommended by the Indian chiefs, as the only effectual means of 
securing the northern colonies. The attempt having been resolved upon, 
circulars were addressed to the governors of the northern and middle colo- 
nies, requiring them to meet and confer with Nicholson, and to prepare their 
respective quotas of men and provisions. Governor Hunter summoned the 
Assembly of New Jersey in July, 1711; and informing them that the fleet 
and army destined for this service, had arrived at Boston, demanded that 
they should provide three hundred and sixty effective men beside officers, 
together with the means for their subsistence and pay. The service was 
one which this, together with the northern provinces, looked upon with 
great favour. The House, therefore, promptly resolved to aid it, by appro- 
priating twelve thousand five hundred ounces of plate (dollars) in bills of 
credit, to be sunk, together with the three thousand pounds formerly appro- 
priated, by a subsequent tax ; and by measures for raising and supporting the 
I'equisite troops. 

But the expedition proved most disastrous. Colonel Nicholson, under 
whom served Colonels Schuyler, Whiting, and Ingoldsby, mustered, at Al- 
bany, two thousand colonists, one thousand Germans from the Palatinate, 
and one thousand of the Five Nation Indians, who commenced their march 
towards Canada, on the 28th of August. The troops from Boston, consisted 
of several veteran regiments of the Duke of Marlborough's army, one bat- 
talion of marines, and two provincial regiments; amounting to six thousand 
four hundred men, commanded by Brigadier General Hill, the brother of the 
Queen's favourite, Mrs. Masham. They sailed on board of sixty-eight vessels, 
under convoy of Sir Hoveden Walker, the 30th of July, and arrived off the 
St. Lawrence, on the 14th of August. In ascending the river, the fleet, by the 
unskilfulness of the pilots, or the obstinacy and distrust of the admiral, was 
entangled amid rocks and islands, on the northern shore, and ran imminent 
hazard of total destruction. Eight transports, with eight hundred men, pe- 
rished. Upon this disaster, the squadron bore away for Cape Breton ; and the 
expedition, by the advice of a council of naval and military officers, was 
abandoned, on the ground of want of provisions, and the impossibility of pro- 
curing a seasonable supply. The admiral sailed directly for England, and 
the colonial forces for New England ; whilst Colonel Nicholson, thus de- 
serted, was compelled to retreat from Fort George. The want of skill and 
fortitude, were eminently conspicuous in the British commanders of this en- 
terprise.* 

* The ministry were, generally, censured by the Whigs for the project of this en- 
terprise, and for the measures taken for its execution. It was never laid before Par- 
liament, though then in session; on account, as it was said, of the greater secrecy; 
and for the same reason the fleet was not victualled at home. They relied on New 
England for supplies, and this defeated the design; for the ships tarried at Boston, 
until the season for attack was past. According to Lord Harley's account, the whole 
was a contrivance of Bolingbroko, Moore, and the Lord Chancellor Harcourt, to cheat 
the public of £20,000. The latter of these, was pleased to say, " No government was 
worth serving, that would not admit of such advantageous jobs.' — Smith's JVew York, 
131. From the manner in which this and other enterprises against the possessions of 
France, in America, were conducted, we are almost prepared to agree in opinion with 

M 



90 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

XIII. During five years, nothing worthy of historical notice, occurred in 
the province. The Assembly was occasionally convened, and passed such 
laws as were required. These were few and simple, relating solely to the 
internal policy of the colony; the peace of Utrecht, 31st of March, 1713, 
having put an end to hostilities between Great Britain and France, and termi- 
nated a merciless war upon the American continent. Some leaven of the 
political spirit, which had been engendered during the administration of Corn- 
bury, still worked, at times, among the people, and in the Assembly. Gersham 
Mott, and Elisha Lawrence, members from Bergen, who had been of Corn- 
bury 's party, having entered on the minutes of council, reasons for voting 
against aiding the expedition to Canada, were severally expelled the House 
of which they had become members, " for having arraigned the honour 
of the representative body of the province." This would seem to have 
been a party vote, scarce warranted by circumstances. In the interval, we 
have mentioned, one Assembly had been dissolved, by the demise of Queen 
Anne, on the 1st of August, 1714; another, by the arrival of a new com- 
mission to the governor, from her successor George I.; and a third, by some 
cause which is not apparent. A new Assembly was convened at Amboy, 
on the 4th of April, 1716, in which there was a temporary majority, 
against the late ruling party; and the party which had suffered for ad- 
hesion to Cornbury, seemed about to regain its ascendency. Col. Daniel 
Coxe was chosen Speaker, and several of the most odious members of 
Cornbury's council, were members of the House. They contrived to delay 
the business of the session, until the governor, wearied by their procrastina- 
tion, prorogued them. 

XIV. He summoned the House again, on the 14th of May, when nine, only, 
out of twenty-four members appeared. These adjourned from day to day, for ^ 
five days, receiving no accession to their numbers. When it became appa- .1 
rent, that the absentees, intended by desertion to prevent the exercise of the 
legislative authority, now indispensable to renew the supplies for the support 
of government, and to provide for the re-emission of the bills of credit, the : j 
nine applied to the governor to enforce, by some means, the attendance of the 
absent members. He issued writs to several of them, commanding their pre- 
sence, as they would answer the contrary at their peril. Four immediately i 
appeared, making a majority of the House, to whom he recommended the j 
choice of a new Speaker, (Col. Coxe being of the absentees), that they might 
despatch their sergeant-at-arms to enforce the attendance of others. Mr. John 
Kinsey of Middlesex, was placed in the chair, and the Assembly proceeded 
with its usual business. They also entered upon an examination of the 
conduct of the Speaker and his associates, all of whom they expelled, for ' 
contempt of authority and neglect of the service of their country ; and re- | 
solved that they should not sit, if returned on a new election, during the then 
session. Several of such members, however, were returned; but being re- , 
jected, the electors were compelled to choose again. ] 

A subsequent session of the same House, was holden at Crosswicks,* in 
consequence of the small pox being at Burlington, at which sixteen public and 
private bills were enacted. The next session commenced on the 8th of April, 
1718, but continued a few days only; being adjourned by the governor, at 
the request of the House, to the following January, a less inconvenient season 
of the year; when, also, many acts were passed; among which were, one 
for ascertaining the division line bet^vixt New Jersey and New York, and 

the Swedish traveller, Kalm, that Great Britain " was not earnestly disposed to drive 
that power from the continent, preferring to retain it as a check upon the colonists, 
whom, they feared, would otherwise become powerful and independent." 
• October 3d, 1716. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 91; 

another for running the line between East and West Jersey. The commis- 
sioners under the first act, fixed the northern station point, on the 25th July, 
1719, in latitude 41° 40', in the manner we have already stated. But 
nothing was done under the act for determining the fine between the East 
and West Jersey proprietors. 

XV. This was the last session of the Assembly during Governor Hunter's 
administration. He had grown tired of his residence in America, or was 
called, thence, by his affairs in Europe; expressing his intention, however, 
with his Majesty's permission, to return. He left New York on the 13th of 
July, 1719, and on his arrival at London, exchanged his government with 
William Burnet, Esq., son of the celebrated bishop of that name, for his 
office of comptroller of the customs. Perhaps none of the colonial governors 
have earned a more excellent or more merited reputation than Brigadier 
Hunter. Preserving all the firmness which the dignity of his station re- 
quired, and maintaining the royal authority in full vigour, he conciliated 
the people of both provinces, in a very remarkable degree, and obtained 
from both, in the form of legislative resolves, the most enviable testimo- 
nials. 

Tlie last New Jersey Assembly declared to him in their Address, " Your 
administration has been a continued series of justice and moderation, and 
from your past conduct, we dare assure oui-selves of a continuation of it; 
and we will not be wanting in our endeavours to make suitable returns, both 
in pi'oviding a handsome support of the government, and of such a con- 
tinuation' as may demonstrate to you and the world, the sense we have 
of our duty and your worth." The Legislature of New York addressed 
him thus — 

" Sir, when we reflect upon your past conduct, your just, mild, and tender 
administration, it heightens the concern we have for your departure, and 
makes our grief such as words cannot truly express. You have governed 
well, and wisely ; like a prudent magistrate — like an affectionate parent ; — 
and wherever you go, and whatever station the divine Providence may 
please to assign you, our sincere desires and prayers for the happiness of 
you and yours, shall always attend you. We have seen many governors, 
and may see more; and as none of those who had the honour to serve in 
your station, were ever so justly fixed in the affections of the governed, so 
those to come will acquire no mean reputation, when it can be said of them, 
their conduct has been like yours. We thankfully accept the honour you 
do us, in caUing yourself our countryman ; give us leave, then, to desire, 
that you will not forget this as your country, and if you can, make haste to 
return to it. But, if the service of our sovereign \v ill not admit of what we 
so earnestly desire, and his commands deny us that happiness, permit us to 
address you as our friend, and give us your assistance, when we are oppress- 
ed with an administration the reverse of yours." 

Like all other men, who have been in any way remarkable for political 
success. Governor Hunter selected his associates and agents, with much 
judgment; and instead of forcibly opposing the public will, sought, suc- 
cessfully, by gentle means, to guide it. In New Jersey, Colonel Lewis 
Morris, a popular favourite, and chief justice, was his principal adviser ; and 
in New York, he was sustained by that gentleman, and by Messrs. Robert 
Livingston, De Lancy, and others, of high character, and influence. The 
province of New Jersey gave him a salary of £600, per annum; com- 
monly, by acts limited to two years. The whole expense of the govern- 
ment, about £1000, per annum, was raised by a levy upon real and per-, 
sonal estate, by an excise on wines and spirituous liquors, and a duty on 



92 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the importation of Negro and Mulatto slaves — the last, laid, probably, as 
much with design to prohibit the traffic, as for the sake of revenue. The 
extraordinary expenses, such as those for the military expeditions, vi'ere met 
by bills of credit, or loans, payable from the surplus of the ordinary reve- 
nue. The debt of the province at this time, amounted to eight thousand 
pounds. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 9* 



CHAPTER VII. 

Containing Events from the arrival of Governor Burnet, to the Death of Governor 
Morris, 1719-1746.— I. Governor Burnet— Notice of his Character.— II. Meets 
the Assembly— Proceedings.— III. Paper Currency— an Account of its Rise and 
Progress.— IV. Bill proposed against denying the Trinity, &c. — V. Governor 
Bernard removed to Massachusetts. — VI. Is succeeded by John Montgomery — 
His Administration.— VII. Death of Colonel Montgomery, and Presidency of 
Colonel Lewis Morris— Arrival of Governor Cosby— Harmony of the Province 
during his Administration— His Death.— VIII. Presidencies of John Anderson, 
and John Hamilton, Esquires.— IX. Lewis Morris, Governor of the Province of 
New Jersey, it being separated from New York— Gratification of the Province. — 
X. He ceases to meet the Council, in Legislation.— XI. Salaries of Officers. — 
XII. Unpopular Conduct of Governor Morris.— XIII. War with Spain— Aid 
required by Great Britain, from the Colonies— promptly afforded by New Jersey 
— Further disputes between the Governor and Assembly. — XIV. Disingenuous 
Conduct of the Governor, relative to the Fee Bill. — XV. Opposes the views of 
the House, on the Bill relative to the Paper Currency — on that, circumscribing 
the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. — XVI. Assembly refuse to provide for the 
Salaries of the Public Officers. — XVII. EffiDrts at Accommodation — defeated by 
the discovery of the duplicity of the Governor — Death of Governor Morris — 
John Hamilton, Esq., President.— XVIII. Biographical Notice of Governor Mor- 
ris. — XIX. Application made by his Widow, for arrears of Salary — refused. 

I. Governor Burnet, as we have already observed, vv'as a son of the cele- 
brated Bishop Burnet, whose piety and erudition, but more especially, whose 
zeal and activity, for the revolution and protestant succession, in Great 
Britain, has rendered his name illustrious in English story. The son was a 
man of sense and breeding, a well read scholar, and possessed a sprightly 
and social disposition, which his devotion to study restrained from excess. 
He cherished, successfully, the arts of popularity — had none of the moroseness 
of the scholar, but was gay and affable, avoiding all affectation of pomp, and 
mingled freely with the reputable families of his government, paying great 
attention to the ladies, by whom he was much admired. His fortune was 
very inconsiderable, and had been impaired by adventuring in the South 
Sea scheme ; yet, he was not avaricious, nor importunate, as most colonial 
governors were, with the people, for a permanent salary.* His intimacy 
with Mr. Hunter, enabled him, before his arrival, properly to appreciate 
both persons and things in the province, and thus to obtain many of the ad- 
. vantages of experience. He connected himself closely with Mr. Lewis 
Morris, and with Dr. Golden, and Mr. Alexander, men of learning, good 
morals, and sound judgment. Mr. Hunter had recommended to him all his 
former friends ; and few changes, consequently, were made in the colonial 
offices. 

II. Governor Burnet met the Assembly of New Jersey, soon afler his 
arrival. The session was short, little business was done, and the House 
being soon after dissolved, writs were issued for a new election. In this 
respect, the governor's policy, in New .lersey, differed from that which he 

* "Whether an alteration in sentiment, or instruction, or both, was the cause, 
must be left to conjecture; but while governor of Massachusetts Bay, his conduct 
was different; there he insisted for several years with the greatest firmness, for an in- 
definite support, and pursued it through the plantation board, and privy council, to 
the Parliament, when his death prevented its coming to a conclusion." — Smith's Kew 
Jersey. 



94 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

pursued in New York ; where he continued the Assembly, which he found 
existing at his arrival, until the people, apprehensive that their representa- 
tives might be corrupted, by executive favour, clamorously demanded a 
dissolution. 

The new Assembly met early in the spring of 1721, and chose Dr. John 
Johnson, of Amboy, their Speaker. The House continued in being, during 
the whole of the administration of Governor Burnet, until December, 1727 ; 
changes being made only in the Speakers ; first, consequent on the illness of 
Mr. Johnson, when Mr. William Trent was chosen ; and again on the death 
of Mr. Trent, in 1725, when Mr. Johnson was re-elected.* 

III. The most remarkable acts of this Assembly, were, that for the sup- 
port of government, in which the salary of the governor was fixed for five 
years, at £500 per annum; and that, authorizing the issue of £40,000, in 
bills of credit, with the view, principally, of increasing the circulating 
medium of the colony. The country, as the preamble to this act sets forth, 
had been wholly drained of a metaUic medium of exchange, and was without 
any means of replenishment ; inasmuch, as the neighbouring colonies of New 
York and Pennsylvania, to which its produce was exported, had no other 
than paper currency ; and as this was not a legal tender, in the payment of 
debts, in New Jersey, much vexation and embarrassment of trade, was pro- 
duced. The payment of taxes was occasionally made, in broken plate, ear- 
rings, and other jewels ; and the law authorized their payment in wheat. 

The expedient of paper currency had been long since resorted to by Massa- 
chusetts, New York, and South CaroHna ; but in these provinces, its benefits 
had been decreased by the want of due provision for its redemption, and by 
over issues. In Pennsylvania, the measure was introduced in 1723, by Go- 
vernor Keith, with signal success. New Jersey wisely adopted in the same 
year, the plan of the last, which preserved her currency from much deprecia- 
tion. Yet, as from the limited nature of her trade, it was less convertible into 
gold and silver coin, than that of the adjacent colonies, it was, at times, at a 
discount in Philadelphia and New York. Small amounts had already been 
issued to meet the expenses of the Canadian expedition, but the bills on these 
occasions, were in form, treasury notes, based on the faith of the state, and 
redeemable by taxation only. 

Forty thousand pounds in such bills, in value from one shilling, to three 
pounds, were issued by the government to borrowers, on the pledge of plate, 
or real estate, at 5 per cent per annum. Loans on plate were made for one 
year, and on lands, lots, houses or other valuable improvements, for twelve 
years ; the applicant deposing that the estate offered, was held in his own 
right, and had not been conveyed to him for the purpose of raising money on 
loan for others ; and that it was free from all incumbrance. The amount 
loaned to any individual was not less than twelve pounds ten shillings, nor 
more than one hundred pounds, unless there remained bills in the hands 
of the commissioner, six months after issue; when two hundred pounds 
might be loaned, to be repaid in twelve annual instalments, with the in- 
terest; or the whole, at any time, at the pleasure of the borrower. In de- 
fault of payment, for thirty days after any instalment became due, the mort- 
gage was to be foreclosed. All bills thus paid in, were to be destroyed, or 
when prematurely paid in, to be loaned to others. The whole sum was spe- 
cifically apportioned to the counties, in which, loan-offices were established, 
under commissioners named in the act, and created a body politic. The 
bills were made current for twelve years ; were a legal tender in payment 
of all debts and contracts, under penalty of extinction of the debt, or a fine 

* See Appendix, U. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 95 

for refusal, of not less than thirty shillings, nor more than fifty pounds, as 
the case might be. Forgery of the bills was made felony, and punishable 
with death. If, at the expiration of the term, for which they were made 
current, any portion of the amount, respectively, allotted to the counties re- 
mained unpaid, the county became responsible for it. 

For the better credit, and sooner sinking of these bills, and for the additional 
support of the government, a tax of one thousand pounds a year, was imposed 
for ten years. Four thousand pounds of the product were appropriated to 
the redemption of the bills of credit formerly issued; and the interest on the 
money loaned under the act was applied to the sinking of bills, thereby 
issued ; and as the interest and principal of the sums loaned, when paid in, 
would much more than pay the bills, the balance was devoted to the support 
of the government, in such manner as the governor, council, and General As- 
sembly might direct. 

In 1730, another act added twenty thousand pounds to this medium, 
which were made current for sixteen years; and in 1733, the act of 1723, 
for the issue of forty thousand pounds was renewed; the amounts being 
loaned upon the same principles as under the first act, and kept in circula- 
tion by re-issues, and subsequent issues of such sums as were necessary 
to supply the place of torn bills. All these issues were fully and duly 
redeemed. 

An additional and floating debt was subsequently contracted by the issue of 
bills, from time to time, to defray the war requisitions of the British ministry, 
and other exigencies. This debt bore heavily upon the province, as it was 
payable solely by taxation; and the Legislature frequently sought relief by the 
issue of new bills, the interest of which would supply the means of ordinary 
expenditure, and was cheerfully paid by the enterprising and industrious bor- 
rower, who received an adequate consideration. But the English ministry, 
for many years, could not be prevailed upon to assent to this measure. At 
one period, they reluctantly consented to the framing a bill for the issue of 
sixty thousand pounds, with condition that it should receive the sanction of 
the King ; but when the bill had passed the colonial Legislature, that sanction 
was refused. The governors were uniformly instructed to pass no such act, 
unless with a clause suspending its operation, until confirmed by the crown. 
In 1758, a second bill for sixty thousand pounds was sent for the royal ap- 
probation, which was rejected by the board of trade on three grounds, which 
obstructed the passage of every other bill of this character. 1st, That the 
Assembly reserved to itself, not only a participation with the governor and 
council, in the disposal of the money granted by the bill for his Majesty's 
service ; but, also, the right to judge of the propriety of its application. 2d, 
That the surplus of interest from loans, after paying a specific grant to the 
crown, was appropriated to the redemption of bills before omitted, in lieu of 
taxes; and 3d, That the bills of credit were made a legal tender, in payment 
of all debts and contracts. Without these conditions, the inhabitants of the 
province did not deem the currency worth having, and with them, it could 
not be obtained ; so that no other money bills were issued for a long period, 
unless based on taxes that would redeem them in five years. 

Sound policy certainly required that the paper currency should be kept 
within narrow bounds, lest over issues should embarrass the commerce of the 
country with the parent state. But this danger could scarce be dreaded from 
the small amount required by New Jersey, and we must look to other causes 
for the pertinacious refusals of the crown. These we shall, probably, find in 
the independence which the colony acquired by a certain and easy revenue, 
which it as pertinaciously resolved to keep within its own control. Repeat- 
ed attempts were made, by the colonial Legislature, to bend the will of the 



96 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

King, but always without success, until the 20th of February, 1775 ; when an 
act passed March 11th, 1774, near the close of the administration of Gover- 
nor Franklin, authorizing the issue on loan of one hundred thousand pounds, 
and divested of all the objectional features, was confirmed by the King in 
council. 

At one period the bills of New Jersey were at a discount of sixteen per 
cent., in exchange for the bills of New York, and, consequently, all contracts, 
especially, in East Jersey, were based upon the New York currency. The 
Assembly, with too much disregard for justice, directed, that all such con- 
tracts should be discharged, by payment of their nominal value in Jersey 
bills. 

IV. Among the acts proposed at the session of the Assembly, in 1721, 
was one bearing the singular title, " An act against denying the Divinity 
of our Saviour Jesus Christ, the doctrine of the blessed Trinity, the truth 
of the Holy Scriptures, and spreading Atheistical hooks.'''' " Assemblies 
in the colonies," says Smith, " have rarely troubled themselves with these 
subjects. It, probably, arose from the governor's motion, who had a turn 
that way, and had, himself, wrote a book, to unfold some part of the apoca- 
lypse." The bill, however, was rejected, on the second reading, in the As- 
sembly. 

V. After a harmonious administration, of nearly seven years. Governor 
Burnet was removed, much against his will, to the government of Massa- 
chusetts Bay. His marriage, in New York, had connected him with a nu- 
merous family there ; and, besides, an universal acquaintance, he had con- 
tracted with several gentlemen, a strict intimacy and friendship. The great 
merit of his administration consisted, in his effectual exertions to diminish 
the trade of the French with the northern Indians, and to obtain it for 
his countiymen ; and in the erection of forts, and other means, establishing 
the English influence over the savages. These were benefits, however, 
not immediately obvious to the public sense; and some contests with the 
Assembly of New York, caused by private dissatisfaction, deprived him of 
that popularity, which his general conduct merited. 

" Insensible of his services, the undistinguishing multitude were taught to 
consider his removal as a fortunate event ; and until the ambitious designs 
of the French monarch, with respect to America, awakened attention to the 
general welfare, Mr. Burnet's administration was as little esteemed as the 
meanest of his predecessors."* 

" The excessive love of money, a disease common to most of his predeces- 
sors, and to some who succeeded him, was a vice from which he was entirely 
fi'ee. He sold no offices, nor attempted to raise a fortune by indirect means; 
for he lived generously, and carried scarce any thing away with him, but 
his books. These, and the conversation of men of letters, were to him inex- 
haustible sources of delight. His astronomical observations were useful ; but 
by his comment on the apocalypse, he exposed himself, as other learned 
men have done, to the criticism of those who have not ability to write half 
so well."t 

VI. John Montgomery, his successor, received from him the seals of the 
provinces of New York and New Jersey, on the 15th of April, 1728. Colo- 
nel Montgomery was a Scotch gentleman, bred a soldier, but who, in the 
latter years of his life, had l)een groom of the bed chamber to his Majesty, 
George the Second, before his accession to the throne. This station, and a 
seat in Parliament, had paved his way to preferment in America. Good 
natured, unenterprising, and fond of his ease, his short administration of 

' Smith's New York, 172. i Ibid, 173. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 97 

three years, is unmarked with any event of historical interest. In 1727, 
before the departure of Governor Burnet, a new Assembly had been elected. 
With settled salaries, and the means for support of government provided for 
years, the governors had few inducements to invite frequent sessions of the 
House. Nearly three years had elapsed between the rising of the last, and 
the convocation of the present Assembly ; and in dread that their meetings 
might be even longer dispensed with, they passed an act providing, that, a 
General Assembly should be holden once in three years, at the least, alter- 
nately, at Burlington and Amboy ; and lest, by long continuance in oftice, the 
members should be improperly influenced by the executive, or cease to re- 
member their responsibility to, and dependence upon, the people, it was further 
directed, that, a new Assembly should be thenceforth chosen, triennially, and 
that the term of the present should expire on the 25th of October, 1727. By 
this act, the province gained a partial security for popular rights. And by 
another, it was relieved from the monstrous grievance of the practice, under 
which the courts compelled parties acquitted upon indictment, to pay costs 
of prosecution.* 

VII. Upon the death of Colonel Montgomery, on the 1st of July, 1731, 
the government devolved on Colonel Lewis Morris, until the 1st of August, 
1782; when William Cosby, Esq. arrived, with the commission of governor 
of New York and New Jersey. He held these offices until his death, in 1736. 
His administration in New York was signalized by long and obstinate con- 
tests with the Assembly. Some ditierences, appear, also, to have arisen, 
between him and the Assembly of New Jersey ; the latter complaining, that, 
the council was filled with members from New York ; and the former, that, 
his maintenance had not been provided for, during a long protracted session. 
With this exception, the harmony, which had long prevailed, between the 
governors and Assemblies of this province, was uninterrupted during his 
administration. 

VIII. The executive power, on the demise of Governor Cosby, devolved, 
first, on the president of the council, John Anderson, Esq., and on his death, 
about two weeks afterwards, upon John Hamilton, Esq., son of Andrew Ha- 
milton, governor in the time of the proprietaries ; who exercised it for nearly 
two years, and until superseded by the appointment of Lewis Morris, by the 
crown. 

IX. The provinces of New York and New Jersey, although wholly inde- 
pendent of each other, had, uniformly, been governed by the same officer, 
since the surrender of the proprietary governments of the latter ; unless for 
short periods, when the government was administered by the presidents of 
their respective councils. Yet, New Jersey, the smaller and less important 
territory, was treated, almost, as a dependency of her greater neighbour. 
The governor, attracted by the pleasures, and enchained by the business 
of the city, spent a small portion of his time in New Jersey. The chief 
officers of state were taken from New York, or upon their appointment, 
removed thither. Thus, Mr. Alexander, the secretary of New Jersey, was a 
distinguished practitioner of law of New York, and Mr. Morris held the office 
of chief justice in both colonies; and hence, the executive and judicial duties, 
were fulfilled with much difficulty, and frequently, with vexatious delays. 
At their January session, 1728, the Assembly of New Jersey, petitioned the 
King, that when he should think proper to remove the then incumbent go- 
vernor, Montgomery, he would separate the governments, and appoint a dis- 
tinct governor for each colony. The application had been in the colonial 
office, probably, disregarded, for several years, when Mr. Morris obtained 

'" Seo Appendix, note V, for the names of the members of council, in 1727. 

N 



98 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. ^ 

its consideration. The lords of trade reported favourably upon it to the 
privy council, and Mr. Morris was so fortunate, as to receive for himself, the 
commission of governor of New Jersey, in severalty. 

This appointment was highly satisfactory to the people, as well, because 
the duty of the governor would be, exclusively, confined to the colony, as 
that the officer was greatly esteemed by them. To the Assembly, which • 
he first met, after his elevation, on the 27th of October, 1738, he addressed 
a long speech, in which he took full credit for the services he had rendered 
in separating the governments, and did not leave unnoticed nor unpraised, 
the qualities he possessed for his station. His self-applause was echoed by , 
the House. " We are," said they, " more deeply sensible of our sovereign's • 
care of us, when we consider, how exactly he has adapted the person to , 
preside, to the nature and circumstances of this province : — a person who 
has been long distinguished and highly preferred for his profound knowledge 
of the law, and in that station has behaved, for a long tract of years, with , 
great candour and strict impartiality ; — a person well known to ourselves, to 
be eminent for his skill in affairs of government, which we, more than once, > 
have had experience of; and from his knowledge of the nature and constitu- ; 
tion of this province, and other advantages of learning, if his inclinations - 
and endeavours to promote our welfare bear any proportion to his abilities, ; 
(which we have no reason to doubt) every way qualified to render us a ; 
happy and flourishing people." 

X. " And we cannot," they continue, " but observe with pleasure and 
thankfulness, your excellency's candour and justice, in introducing among - 
us, in some measure, that noble economy so happily maintained in the Legis- 
lature of our glorious mother country, by fixing the gentlemen of the council - 
as a separate and distinct part of the Legislature ; for all former governors 
have presided in that House, in a legislative capacity, which, not only very 
much influenced their debates, but often produced very bad effects, and- 
greatly thwarted and obstructed the despatch of public business." 

This arrangement was certainly wise on the part of the governor. By it '. 
he relinquished no power, since his right of absolute negative upon all hills 
was not impaired ; but he avoided much trouble, and maintained more secure- 
ly, the dignity of his office, which, in the debates of a legislative council, 
must often have been in danger. 

XI. With such favourable sentiments, and with full reminiscence of their 
professions of ability, to maintain an exclusive governor, the House pro- 
ceeded, with cheerfulness, to appropriate five hundred pounds, as a compen- 
sation to Mr. Morris, for his expense and labour in procuring a separation of ■ 
the governments, and one thousand pounds per annum, for three years, for • 
his salary ; together with sixty pounds a year for his house rent. They, at 
the same time, voted one hundred and fifty pounds per annum to the chief 
justice ; forty pounds to the second judge ; forty pounds to the treasurers of ■ 
East and West Jersey, respectively; thirty pounds to the clerk of council; 
twenty pounds to each of the clerks of the circuits, and eighty pounds to their 
agent in Great Britain, whom they had a short time before appointed. 

Unhappily, this good understanding did not long continue. The governor 
whose ardent, restless, and persevering temper, when engaged on the part 
of the people, had gained him great popularity, was now as little disposed to 
yield his lightest opinions to their wishes, as he formerly had been, to sub- 
mit to the executive will. And such was the estimate of his own merits, 
that, although, he had now received double the salary allowed to former go- 
vernors, and a considerable gratuity, he informed the Assembly that he 
accepted their grants only as an earnest of what he expected and deserved : 
and he wantonly forbade the treasurer to pay them their wages, although 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 99 

duly granted, and certified according to law. Flattered by the deference, 
which had hitherto been paid him, and confident in his political skill and 
experience, which he held to be, incomparably, greater than that, of any 
other person in his province, he was surprised and offended, at the presump- 
tion of the Assembly, when it proposed measures which he did not approve, 
and attained ends which he himself sought, by some unimportant variation 
from the path he indicated. Passionately fond of argumentation, his addresses 
to the House were, at times, political lectures, delivered with all the airs of 
superiority, which he supposed his station, and greater intellect warranted ; 
and at other times, revilings, alike unworthy of him and the House. He 
rejected several important bills, passed by the Assembly, and to their com- 
plaints of the inexpediency of this conduct, objected his power, as a consti- 
tuent portion of the Legislature to exercise his veto, without question ; whilst 
he denied, practically, to the House, a similar right. And thus, although he 
proposed no tyrannical or unlawful measures, he defeated, by his opinionated 
obstinacy, several beneficial bills ; harassed the Legislature by repeated ad- 
journments, prorogations, and dissolutions ; and became, with the exception of 
Cornbury, the most obnoxious governor who had, in this province, held a com- 
mission under the crown. During the early years of his administration, few 
instances of this captious temper occur. The most memorable one, was in 
granting aid to a military expedition against the Spanish West Indies. 

XII. A misunderstanding had arisen, in the year 1737, between Great 
Britain and Spain, on account of injuries alleged to have been done, to the 
English logwood cutters at Campeachy, and salt gatherers at Tortugas. 
The Spaniards, not only denied them the privileges they exercised, but 
claimed, and used with insolence and cruelty, the right to search English 
vessels, for contraband goods ; of which, large quantities were introduced 
into their colonies. Open war was, for a while, delayed, by a convention, 
extremely unpopular in England, concluded in January, 1738; but which, 
not having been observed by Spain, letters of marque and reprisal were 
issued by Great Britain, and general preparations were made for war; 
which was finally declared, on the 23d of October, 1739. A fleet, under 
Admiral Vernon, having on board a body of troops, under Charles, Lord 
Cathcart, was despatched against the Spanish islands, and aid was required 
from the several British colonies. 

The province of New Jersey showed the same alacrity, upon this, as upon 
other hke occasions ; promptly passing a bill for raising, transporting, and 
victualling her quota of troops ; but, some oC its details were unsatisfactory 
to Governor Morris, and he delayed his assent to the bill. Having despatch- 
ed all other business before them, the House begged his excellency, to in- 
form them, when he would permit them to return to their homes. To this 
reasonable request, he sullenly replied, " When I think fit ;" and he kept 
the representatives of the people, hanging upon his will, from day to day, 
from the 25th to the 31st of July, before he sanctioned their bills, and pro- 
rogued them. 

XIII. This treatment, justly, gave offence, which was heightened by his 
refusal at subsequent sessions, to concur in several bills deemed essential to 
the welfare of the province, by the House ; and by his pertinacious demand 
for some unwelcome modification of the existing militia law. The fees of 
the various officers of the colony were not prescribed by law, but regulated 
by the governor and council ; and were, frequently, exorbitant and oppres- 
sive. A fee bill was, at length, proposed by the Assembly, but long resisted by 
the council and governor, and finally passed, on the 21st of October, 1743, 
with a clause suspending its operation, until his Majesty's pleasure in rela- 
.tion thereto, should be known. When the sense of the several branches 



100 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of the Legislature, had thus been obtained, the Assembly, very rationally, 
inferred, that the inchoate law supplied a more satisfactory rule, than the 
will of the executive; and on the 5th of December, resolved, that, it ought to 
have due weight with the judges and all others concerned, and, to govern 
their practice, until the royal pleasure should be declared. This expression 
of opinion, awakened the indignation of the governor, who sternly demand- 
ed, " By what authority the House ordered an act, not in force, to be printed 
as a rule for the government of the people? — or indeed, any act? And that, 
if they had, or pretended to have, such authority, they would let him know 
whence they derived it, and how they came by it, that his Majesty might be 
informed of it." In reply to these queries, the House resolved, " That as 
they had only given their opinion of an act, which had passed the three 
branches of the Legislature here, and had not assumed to themselves, any 
unwarrantable authority, they think themselves not accountable for that 
opinion ; and that it is not consistent with the honour and dignity of the 
House, and the trust reposed in them, to give any further answer." And 
though the governor prohibited them from printing the act, it was published 
with votes of the Assembly. Notwithstanding the governor had sanctioned 
the law, and thereby concurred in opinion, with the Assembly, and the peo- 
ple, in the adequacy of the fees which it prescribed, he, with great duplicity, 
represented to the ministry, that they were so inconsiderable, that no persons 
of character or reputation, cared to accept of employments, in the several 
courts of judicature ; and the refusal of the royal assent to the bill, was 
delayed, only, by the exertions of Richard Partridge, Esq., the provincial 
agent, at court. 

XIV. There were three other measures which the people were desirous to 
effect. 1st. The renewal of the act, making current forty thousand pounds, 
in bills of credit, which was approaching its term ; 2d. An act to oblige the 
several sheriffs of the colony, to give security for the faithful performance of 
their duties, which had become highly necessary, from the improvident ap- 
pointments of the executive ; and, 8d. An act to prevent actions for small 
amounts, in the Supreme Court. All of which, whilst productive of the 
public weal, would impair the influence, and lessen the power, of the go- 
vernor. 

The interest on the bills of credit, loaned, as we have already observed, 
supplied the treasury with ample funds, for the support of government, with- 
out resort to taxation, unless upon special occasions, and rendered the As- 
sembly in a measure independent of the governor. A clause in the act made 
a general appropriation of the interest to the support of government, but as 
special acts were, from time to time, requisite to allot to the several officers, 
such portions as the Assembly deemed proper, the amount and duration of 
their salaries, depended on the pleasure of the Assembly. A full treasury, 
beyond the control of the executive, was reprobated as a mean of strength- 
ening the people, both by the governors in America, and the ministers of the 
crown ; and both desired, that specific and exhausting appropriations, should 
be made of the revenue, by the act which created it, which would, besides 
stripping the Assembly of its power, make the executive independent of its 
pleasure, for the term assigned, to the currency of the bills. In a word, the 
executive department was indisposed to continue an acknowledged benefit to 
the people, unless it received, in payment, what it deemed its full value. 

Under the pretence, therefore, that the colonial bills of credit had been in- 
jurious to English commerce, the royal instructions forbade the respective 
governors to assent to any act, for issuing such bills, without a clause sus- 
pending its effect, until the act had been approved by the King. But, this 
prohibition having been disregarded, a bill was, about this time, introduced 



fflSTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 101 

into Parliament, making it unlawful for any governor, to assent to any act, 
whereby paper bills of credit should be made, or the time limited, for the 
sinking of them, protracted ; and requiring, that all subsisting bills, should 
be sunk and destroyed, according to the tenor of the acts creating them. 
The Assembly of New Jersey prepared their bill, with the suspending 
clause, yet the governor refused to sanction it, or more properly speaking, 
influenced the council to refuse their concurrence; whilst he remonstrated 
with the House, on the unseasonableness of their bill, pending that before 
Parliament. The true cause of his opposition, was, that the Assembly 
would not fix the salaries of the officers, for a term concurrent with that of 
the bills. 

The refusal of the governor and council to confine the jurisdiction of the 
Supreme Court, to actions in which the sum demanded exceeded fifl;een 
pounds, had a selfishness so naked, that they should have blushed to observe it. 
The compensation of the justices was partly dependent upon fees ; hence, it 
became, indeed, the part of a judge to enlarge his jurisdiction,* to protract 
the pleadings, and to increase litigation. The chief justice, Robert Hunter 
Morris, son of the governor, was a member of council, and his fees would, 
obviously, be diminished by the hmitation. 

XV. Justly irritated by these scarce gauze-covered attempts, to make the 
commonwealth a productive estate, regardless of the public weal, the Assem- 
bly resolved, to apply for defence, to the passion that oppressed them ; and 
by withholding the salaries of the officers, to make them feel, that, even in a 
pecuniary point of view, concession to the popular will would be more profit- 
able than resistance. Between October, 1743, and April, 1745, three houses 
had been dissolved by the governor ; each of which had given him distinctly 
to understand, that, they would pass no act for the support of government, 
unless, concurrently, with the bills above-mentioned. In considering this 
offer, the governor in his address to the House, sitting at Amboy, in April, 
1745, observed — 

" The kings of England have, from time to time, immemorial, refused 
their assent to many bills passed by both Lords and Commons, without as- 
signing any reason for their so doing; and so have the Lords to bills passed 
by the Commons, though perhaps not so often ; and if it may be lawful to 
compare small things with great, should the House of Commons deny to 
support the government, and assign these refusals as a reason for their 
denial, as is done here, and appeal to the populace upon it ; or, in an address, 
propose to the King to pass their bills previous to their granting the support 
of government, could it bear a milder construction, than an attempt to alter 
the constitution? And is it less so here? 

" I believe, with some reason, that the House was ashamed of that ridicu- 
lous proposal of passing their bills, previous to their granting the support of 
government; and was willing for their sakes to forget it, and let it drop into 
the oblivion it deserved; but, since the late House have thought fit to men- 
tion it, on the particular occasion they have done, I shall say a few words to 
it. And, first, it is known to all, and themselves, in particular; that the 
money in the treasury is appointed for the support of government, and ap- 
propriated for that purpose ; and all that they have to do in it is, to agree 
with the council and myself, what quantity of it should be applied to that 
use ; and the council could, with equal propriety, have made the same pro- 
posal, to pass their bills, that is, the bills of the proposers, previous to their 
granting their support. I thought, that, what I had said, when that proposal 

* " Bonis est judicis ampliare jurisdictionem." — Law maxim. 



102 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

was made, and the bills I then passed, left no room for a second mention of 
it ; but since they have done it, on the occasion, they did, and thereby seem 
to insinuate to the populace, that my passing of their bills, is a condition on 
my part, to be complied with, before they will agree to the support of the 
government, I take leave to say, that what they call a proposal, I esteem a 
most unmannerly threat, that, they would not support the government at all, 
unless I passed all their bills, before they did it; and then would support it, 
as they thought fit: To which, I say, that I will assent to none of the bills 
passed by the Assembly, unless first assented to by the council, and I ap- 
prove them : But not even then — if I think such not very necessary, unless 
sufficient provision be made for the support of the government, previous to 
the passing of any bill, by me. And this, gentlemen, I desire you to take 
notice of, and govern yourselves accordingly." 

To this assertion of the governor's determination, the House, among other 
things, replied. " As we met your excellency at this time, determined, as 
in duty to his Majesty, we are bound, to support his government, so we enter- 
tained hopes that we might at least, have been encouraged to proceed in pre- 
paring some bills we think very necessary, and much wanted by the people, 
whom we represent. But, since your excellency hath been pleased to assure 
us, that you will assent to none of the bills passed by the Assembly, unless 
first assented to by the council, and you approve of them ; but not even then, 
if you think such bill not very necessary, unless a sufficient provision be 
made for the support of government, previous to the passing of any bill by 
you; and this you have recommended to our particular notice, to govern our- 
selves accordingly, it gives us some concern to be thus almost, peremptorily, 
precluded from proposing such bills as we should think very necessary; but 
we know this is a power, your excellency can make use of, to check our 
proceedings. We shall, therefore, according to your prescription, defer such 
bills until some more favourable opportunity, when reason and argument may 
have greater influence," 

Urged by the necessity, so far as it regarded the crown, of preserving, at 
least, the appearance of providing for the support of government, the House 
presented to the governor and council, a bill for granting less than half the 
usual sums, which was of course rejected. 

At length, after several adjournments, and more than a year's delay, the 
Assembly declared, " that notwithstanding all the foregoing treatment, they 
were still fond of an accommodation, and solicited his excellency for two or 
three laws which the country have very much at heart; and they informed 
him, that they would willingly support the government with salaries as 
large as had been given during his administration, on condition, that they 
could obtain those acts that would enable them to do it in a manner they 
could approve of; — but this could not be done. They therefore begged leave 
to be plain with his excellency, and hoped that he would not take it amiss, 
that they are so; they are now willing (if his excellency and council think 
fit,) to pass the bills which they passed at the last meeting over again, but as 
they are discouraged from giving so large a support, as they would willingly 
have done, they are determined to assent to no longer applications, than what 
in the late meeting they assented to, until they can have an assurance of 
obtaining some acts they think they have a right to, and very necessary 
to enable the colony so to do." From this determination, the House did not 
depart, and the governor equally unyielding, though in very bad health, 
prorogued them from time to time, twice to Trenton, that they might be near 
his residence of Kingsbury; and, at length, after another year of fruitless 
altercation, dissolved them. 






HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 103 

' XVI. But, the appeal to the people, by the convocation of a new Assembly, 
did not relieve the governor. The constituents oi' the former House univer- 
sally approved their conduct, and the same members were re-elected, two 
only excepted. The governor's infirmities increasing, the Assembly met at 
Trenton, on the 26th of February, 1746. Both parties had now become 
heartily weary of the unprofitable contention, and were disposed to unite by 
sacrificing a part of their respective wishes. This desirable compromise was 
induced partly by the war, in which the empire was engaged with France 
and Spain, and the dangers dreaded to the state from the rebellion in England 
in favour of the Pretender. These circumstances served as a pretext, if they 
were not the reason, for accommodation. The leaders of the Assembly agreed 
to pass the militia law, desired by his excellency, and he engaged to concur 
in their bills for the paper currency, the requiring security from sheriffs, and 
curtailing the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court — it being well understood, 
that the support of government should be provided for, as liberally as here- 
tofore. These bills were all duly approved by the Assembly, and council, 
and awaited only the signature of the governor, to become laws ; but that for 
the support of government, had not yet passed the House. The governor 
refused his assent to those before him, until the supply bill should also be pre- 
sented. Neither party had confidence in the other; and it soon became ap- 
parent, that the distrust of the House was but too well founded. For at this 
period, they received a coinmunication from the provincial agent at London, 
informing that the fee-bill was about to be defeated, by the representations of 
the governor, notwithstanding he had given it his official sanction; and it 
was subsequently disapproved by the king. No reliance therefore, could be 
placed in the success of tliieir money bill, even when approved by all the 
branches of the Legislature; since the governor might, and probably would 
use his endeavours, successfully, under the suspending clause to prevent the 
royal approbation. The House resolved, therefore, whilst adhering to the 
letter and spirit of the agreement for accommodation, and providing, as usual, 
for the compensation of the other officers, to make the governor's salary de- 
pend upon his good faith, and upon the final passage of their money bill, by 
the King. 

XVn. "With this view, a committee of the House informed him, that they 
were willing, upon giving his assent to the bills now before him, to vote to the 
commander-in-chief for the time being, five hundred pounds per annum, for two 
years, to commence the 23d of September, 1744, and to end 23d of Septem- 
ber, 1746 ; which, with the other salaries, should be paid out of the money 
then in the treasury. And as a grateful acknowledgment to his Majesty, 
and his excellency, for the benefits they hoped the colony would receive from 
such bills, they further assured him, that, provision should be made in the bill, 
for the support of government, for the payment of one thousand pounds to 
him or his representatives, out of the first interest money, arising from the 
act making current the bills of credit, when his Majesty's assent should be 
had thereto. With these conditions, the governor refused compliance and 
prorogued the House until the following day. The effect of prorogation was to 
put an end to all business before the House, and oblige them to recommence 
their labours. It had been repeatedly tried without any good effect, and was 
probably resorted to on this occasion, that the governor, whose illness daily 
increased, and incapacitated him for business, might obtain a short respite from 
a vexatious dispute. The House convened on the prorogation, and authorized 
the speaker, and any two members, to meet and adjourn from day to day. 

On the 21st of May, 1746, Governor Morris, after a severe illness, of 

more than two years, died at Kingsbury, near Trenton. By his deatli, the 

..office of governor devolved upon John Hamilton, Esq., the eldest member 



104 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of council, All the bills which had been so obnoxious to him, were passed 
in February, 1748, by Governor Belcher, without hesitation. The cham- 
pions of the Assembly, in their long contests with the governor appear to have 
been Mr. Richard Smith, Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Neville, and Mr. Eaton. 

XVIII. The family of Mr. Morris, which for more than a century ex- 
ercised a controlling influence over the political events of New York, and 
New Jersey, was derived from Richard Morris ; who, wearied with the un- 
settled condition of affairs in England, consequent on the wars of Crom- 
well, in whose armies he is said to have been a distinguished leader, 
turned his views to America, and came over first to the West Indies, and 
shortly after to New York. He purchased an estate near Haerlem, ten miles 
from the city, containing more than three thousand acres of land, which by 
the original grant was endowed with manorial privileges, and called Morris- 
ania. Richard died in 1673, leaving an only son, Lewis, the subject of our 
story, an infant and an orphan, his mother having died a few years before 
his father. Thus destitute, he became the ward of the colonial government, 
which appointed a guardian to his person and estate. Soon after, however, 
his uncle, Lewis Morris, arrived from Barbadoes, and settling at Morrisania, 
took his nephew in charge, and finally made him heir to his fortune. The 
early years of the nephew, were wild and erratic. On one occasion, having 
committed some folly, or extravagance, displeasing to his uncle, he strolled 
to the southern colonies, and thence to the West Indies, where he maintained 
himself some time, as a scrivener. He soon tired of his vagai'ies, and re- 
turned to his uncle, by whom he was kindly received. Ambitious, and pos- 
sessed of much intellectual power, he entered, at an early age, upon a public 
career ; and though, indolent in the management of his private affairs, the 
love of power, rendered him active in those of a political nature. In New 
Jersey, he distinguished himself in the service of the proprietaries and the 
Assembly; and by the latter was employed to draw up their complaint 
against Lord Cornbury, and made the bearer of it, to the Queen. No man 
in the colony equalled him in the knowledge of the law, and the arts of in- 
trigue. He was one of the council of the colony, and judge of the Supreme 
Court, in 1692. Upon the surrender of the government, to Queen Anne, in 
1702, he was named as governor, before the appointment was conferred 
upon Cornbury. He was several years chief justice of New York, and a 
member of Assembly; — was second counsellor, named in Cornbury 's in- 
structions; but was suspended by him, in 1704; restored by the Queen, 
and suspended a second time, in the same year. He was a member of the 
Assembly, in 1707, and was reappointed to the council, in 1708, from which 
he was again removed, by Lieutenant-Governor Ingoldsby, in 1709, but 
reappointed in 1710, where he continued, until made governor, in 1738. . 
The love of power was his ruling passion. Unable to gratify it, as a parti- 
san of the governor, he became a leader of the people ; and as their power 
was his, contended strenuously, for its preservation and enlargement; but 
when that power was opposed to his will, he was not less active to control 
and abridge it. There was nothing in his conduct or character, to sepaz'ate 
him from the herd of politicians, who throw themselves into the public arena, 
like gladiators, to obtain by combat, with each other, their daily bread, and 
a few shouts of applause, from the spectators ; the memory of which, en- 
dures, scarce longer than their reverberation. In his early life, he rendered 
some service to the colony, for which it was grateful ; and his name, borne 
by one of the counties of the State, will attest, that he was, once, a popular 
favourite. In private life, he was highly respectable, and happy. Inherit- 
ing a large estate, and free from avarice, he was not tempted to increase it, 
by indirect means. Blessed with the affections of an amiable wife, he be- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 105 

came the father of a large family of children, many of whom, he lived to see 
successfully settled.* 

XIX. His widow applied, soon after his death, to the Legislature, for the 
payment of what she termed the arrears of his salary, at the rate of one 
thousand pounds, per annum, for nearly two years; and the Assembly 
having rejected her petition, she solicited the interference of the lords com- 
missioners for trade and plantations. That Board instructed Governor 
Belcher, in November, 1748, to recommend, in the most earnest manner, to 
the Assembly, to make provision for the speedy payment of such arrears — 
declaring, that they earnestly interested themselves in behalf of the petitioner, 
as the salary was represented to them to have been withheld, merely on 
account of his adherence to his duty, and obedience to the direction of the 
board. When this subject was thus brought before the Assembly, for con- 
sideration, they replied, by a long enumeration of the political sins of the 
late governor; and for those causes, trusted that Governor Belcher would 
deem their conduct just and reasonable. " But," they continued, " to put 
the matter beyond dispute, although Governor Morris, in his life time, did, 
and his executors, now, do, insist upon payment of what some are pleased 
to term arrears, yet the House have his own opinion in a similar case, to 
justify their not allowing them :" — (Alluding to the case of Lord Cornbury, 
in which, Mr. Morris had taken, as a member of the Legislature, the present 
ground of the House.) " The subject," the Assembly further urged, " was 
so universally disliked in the colony, that there is none except those who are 
immediately concerned, in point of interest, or particularly, influenced by 
those who are, will say one word in its favour. And it is altogether un- 
likely, that, any Assembly in the colony, would look upon that to be a just 
debt, or apply any money for the discharge thereof; and that they could 
not conceive, that further recommendation of it, would be advantageous to 
the executors." 

* See Appendix, W. 



o 



106 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER VIIL 



Comprehending Events from the death of Governor Morris to the death of Governor 
Belcher — from 1746 to 1757. — I. War with France — Proposal of Governor Shirley 
to attack the French Settlements, at Cape Breton — New Jersey votes two thou- 
sand Pounds for the Service — Favourable result of the Expedition. — II. Proposed 
attack on Canada — New Jersey Regiment raised and placed under the command 
of Colonel Philip Schuyler — March for Albany — Threatened Mutiny. — III. Plan 
of the proposed Campaign. — IV. Treaty of Peace. — V. Death of President Ha- 
milton — Devolvement of the Government on President Reading — Arrival of Go- 
vernor Belcher — His Character. — VI. Vexations arising from the Elizabethtown 
Claims under Indian Grants — the Assembly disposed to palliate the Conduct of 
the Rioters — Representation of the Council of Proprietors — their grievous Charge 
against the Members of Assembly, in a Petition to the King — the House transmits 
a counter Petition — Disingenuous conduct of the House. — VII. Disputes relative 
to the " Quota Bill." — VIII. Hostile proceedings of the French in America. — IX. 
Difference between the French and English, in tlieir mode of cultivating Indian 
favour. — X. Efforts of the French to occupy the English Lands. — XI. Expedi- 
tion of George Washington to Fort Venango. — XII. Measures of the English 
Government to resist French encroachments. — XIII. Convention of the Colo- 
nies — Plan of Union proposed by Dr. Franklin — Condemned by New Jersey — 
Military Expedition of Lieutenant Colonel Washington — is captured by the 
French under De Villiers. — XIV. Extensive military Preparations of Great 
Britain. — XV. Measures of New Jersey. — XVI. Arrival of Major General Brad- 
dock. — XVII. Convention of Governors to determine the Plan of the Campaign. 
XVIII. Acquisitions in Nova Scotia — Cruel treatment of the Neutrals. — XIX. 
New Jersey raises a Regiment for the Northern Expedition — Mr. Philip Schuyler^., 
named Colonel. — XX. March of General Braddock on the Western Expedition — 
Fastidiousness and Presumption of the General — is attacked and defeated. — 
XXI. Universal Consternation on this Defeat — Governor Belcher summons the 
Legislature — Inroads and Cruelties of the Indians — the Inhabitants of New Jersey 
give aid to those of Pennsylvania. — XXII. Success of the Northern Expedition. — 
XXIII. Provision against the Attack of the French and Indians. — XXIV. Plans 
proposed for the Campaign of 1756 — Exertions of the Colonies. — XXV. War 
formally declared between Great Britain and France. — XXVI. General Shirley 
removed from the supreme command — General Abercrombie, and, subsequently, 
Lord Loudon appointed. — XXVII. Suspension of Indian Hostilities. — XXVIII. 
Sluggish military Efforts of the English — Success of the French in the North-^ 
Capture of part of the Jersey Regiment, with Colonel Schuyler, at Oswego-yf 
Disastrous termination of the Campaign. — XXIX. Renewal of Indian Barbari- ■ 
ties. — XXX. Military Requisitions of Lord Loudon — New Jersey refuses to raise . 
more than five hundred Men. — XXXI. Unsuccessful attempt of Lord Loudon on 
Louisburg. — XXXII. Success of Montcalm — New Jersey prepares to raise four 
thousand Men — the remainder of the Jersey Regiment captured by the Enemy. — 
XXXIII. Death of Governor Belcher— Biographical Notice of— XXXIV. John 
Reading, President. 



I. A masked war had been, for some time, carried on between France 
and Great Britain; and hostilities were openly declared by the former, on 
the 20th, and by the latter, on the 24th of March, 1744. In the spring of 
1745, Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, having conceived the design of 
attacking the French settlements at Cape Breton, and the conquest of Louis- 
burg, the capital, endeavoured to enlist the other colonies in the enterprise. 
The capture of this place was greatly desirable, inasmuch as it was the 
largest and most commodious position of the French in America ; affording 
safe harbourage for their largest vessels, and a rendezvous for their nume- 
rous privateers, now infesting the western shores of the Atlantic. As the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 107 

design originated with the people of New England, and had not been sanc- 
tioned by the crown, Commodore Warren, the English commandant on the 
American station, declined to join Shirley in the attack. The Legislature of 
New Jersey, to whom the plan was not communicated before the expedition 
had sailed, also, declined to aid it; because there was not a single vessel in 
the service of the pz-ovince, nor a ship belonging to private owners, that was 
fit for sea; and because the expedition not having received the approbation 
of the King, might disconcert the measures of the ministry. But when the 
House was, soon afterwards, informed, that the siege of Louisburg was ear- 
nestly prosecuted with his Majesty's consent, they unanimously voted two 
thousand pounds of the interest money, then in the treasury, for his Ma- 
jesty's service, to be transmitted, in provisions, to General Shirley. 

The plan, when communicated to the British government, had been 
warmly approved. Wan-en was commanded to repair to Boston, and to 
render all possible aid to the views of Shirley. He did not arrive, however, 
until after the provincial fleet had sailed, with six thousand men, under the 
command of Mr. Pepperel, a trader of Piscataqua. The result of the enter- 
prise was highly honourable to its projectors and executors. The town sur- 
rendered after two months' siege, during which, the provincial forces dis- 
played courage, activity, and fortitude, that would have distinguished veteran 
troops. The English historians have, shamefully, endeavoured to strip the 
colonies of this early trophy of their spirit and capacity. Smollet makes an 
equivocal statement of the facts, by which Warren is brought on the scene, 
before the departure of the provincial troops from Boston; when, in truth, 
they sailed without any expectation of his assistance, having a knowledge of 
his refusal to join them. The English ministry, though sufficiently forward 
to sustain the exclusive pretensions of their officers, was compelled by the 
merits of the provincials, to distinguish their leader, Pepperel, and to reward 
him with a baronetcy of Great Britain. 

II. The ministry, having resolved to attempt the conquest of Canada, by 
a combined European and colonial force, communicated their instructions 
to the provincial governors, at the close of the month of May, 1746. Presi- 
dent Hamilton laid them before the Assembly of New Jersey, on the 12th of 
June. The House resolved to raise and equip five hundred men for this ser- 
vice ; for facilitating which, they offered to the recruit, six pounds bounty. So 
popular was the enterprise, that, in less than two months, six hundred and sixty 
men offered themselves for enlistment. From these, five companies were form- 
ed, and put at the charge of this province, and a sixth was transferred to the 
quota of New York. These troops, under the command of Colonel Philip 
Schuyler, reached the appointed rendezvous at Albany, on the 3d of Sep- 
tember; where, the proposed invasion of the French provinces having been 
abandoned, in consequence of the failure of the supply of forces from Eng- 
land, they remained until the autumn of the next year, serving to overawe 
the Indians, and to protect the frontier. The pay promised by the crown, 
was tardily remitted, and the troops, at the rendezvous, became impatient 
of the delay. In April, 1747, the Jersey companies mutinied, and resolved 
to go off, with their arms and baggage, unless their arrears were paid up. 
To avert this evil. Colonel Schuyler despatched an express to President Ha- 
milton, with an account of the disposition of the troops. The president re- 
commended, to the Assembly, to provide for the pay, but the Flouse having 
expended more than twenty thousand pounds in equipping, transporting, 
and victualling the detachment, declined to make further appropriations; 
and it was detained in service chiefly by the generous aid of the colonel, 
who supplied the wants of the soldiers ; advancing "many thousand pounds 
from his private funds. 



108 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

III. The proposed attack on the French possessions, originated with Go- 
vernor Shirley, whose solicitations, enforced by the brilliant success at 
Louisburg, prevailed on the ministry to undertake it. A squadron of ships 
of war, having on board a body of land forces, commanded by Sir John St. 
Clair, was, as early as the season would admit, to join the troops of New 
England, at Louisburg ; whence they were to proceed by the St. Lawrence, 
to Quebec. The troops from New York, and from the more southern pro- 
vinces, were to be collected at Albany, and to march thence against Crown 
Point and Montreal. This plan, so far as it depended upon the colonies, 
was executed with promptness and alacrity. The men were raised, and 
waited, impatiently, for employment ; but neither general, troops, nor orders 
arrived from England ; and the provincial forces continued in a state of in- 
activity, until the ensuing autumn, when they were disbanded. This affair 
was one of the thousand instances of incapacity and misrule, which the 
parent state inflicted upon her dependant American progeny. 

IV. No further material transactions took place in America during the 
war. Preliminary articles of peace were signed on the 30th of April; but 
hostilities continued in Europe and on the ocean, until October, 1748 ; when 
the definitive treaty was executed, at Aix-la-Chapelle ; in which the great object 
of the war was wholly disregarded, the right of the British to navigate the 
American seas, free from search, being unnoticed. The Island of Cape 
Breton, with Louisburg, its capital, so dearly purchased by provincial blood 
and treasure, was given up under the stipulation, that all conquests should 
be restored ; and the Americans had great cause to condemn the indifference 
or ignorance, which exposed them to future vexation and renewed hostilities, 
by neglecting to ascertain the boundaries of the French and English territo- 
ries on the American continent. 

V. President Hamilton, whose health was in a very precarious state, when 
the government devolved upon him, died about midsummer, 1747 ; and was 
succeeded by John Reading, Esq., the next eldest counsellor, who was soon 
afterwards displaced by Jonathan Belcher, Esq., appointed governor, by 
the crown. He met the Assembly for the first time, on the 20th August, 
1747. Between this gentleman and the Legislature, for the space of ten 
years, considerable harmony prevailed. He seems to have adopted as a rule 
for his administration, the most entire submission to the wishes of the Assem- 
bly, where they did not interfere with the instructions from the king. In the 
latter case, he threw himself behind the royal will, as an impregnable rampart. 
He was sparing of words, and generally preferred, when required to commu- 
nicate any matter to the House, to use those of the ministry, petitioner, or 
agent, as the case might be; rarely adding comments of his own, or embark- 
ing his feelings deeply in the subject. He was never obnoxious to the 
reproach of failing in his duty, and seldom displayed that indiscreet zeal 
which creates resistance, by the well known law, i-uling alike in physics, as in 
morals; by which the reaction is always equal to the action. His temper 
was imperturbable, and though sometimes severely tried by the Assembly, 
by suspension of his salary, a point in which most colonial governors were 
extremely sensitive, he was unmoved. 

VI. Two questions arising out of proprietary interests, vexed the whole 
term of his administration; and though he earnestly and successfully endea- 
voured to avoid becoming a party to them, he was made a sufferer in the 
contests between the council and Assembly. For more than thirty years, 
there had been no important controversy between the grantees of Carteret, 
and the Elizabethtown claimants, under the Indian title. But this peace was 
altogether consequent on the abstinence of the first, from enforcing their title 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 109 

and attempting the recovery of their rents. A large quantity of East Jersey 
lands, under the Carteret title, had gotten into the hands of Robert Hunter 
Morris, and James Alexander, Esquires, who held important offices in the 
province; the one being chief justice, the other secretary; and both, at times, 
were in the council. These gentlemen, with other extensive proprietors, 
during the life of Governor Morris, and towards the close of his administra- 
tion, commenced actions of ejectment, and suits for the recovery of quit- rent, 
against many of the settlers. These immediately resorted to their Indian title 
for defence ; and formed an association, consisting of a large proportion of 
the inhabitants of the eastern part of Middlesex, the whole of Essex, part of 
Somerset, and part of Morris counties ; who were enabled, by their union 
and violence, to bid defiance to the law, to hold possession of the lands which 
were fairly within the Indian grant, and to add to their party a great many 
persons who could not, even under that grant, claim exemption from propri- 
etary demands. The prisons were no longer competent to keep those whom 
the laws condemned to confinement. In the month of September, 1745, the 
associators broke open the gaol of the county of Essex, and liberated a pri- 
soner, committed at the suit of the proprietaries; and during several conse- 
cutive years, all persons confined for like cause, or on charge of high 
treason and rebellion for resisting the laws, were released at the will of the 
insurgents; so that the arm of government, was in this regard, wholly 
paralyzed. Persons who had long holden under the proprietaries, were 
forcibly ejected ; others compelled to take leases from landlords, whom they 
were not disposed to acknowledge ; whilst those who had courage to stand 
out, were threatened with, and in many instances, received, pei'sonal violence. 
The council and the governor were inclined to view these unlawful pro- 
ceedings in the darkest colours ; to treat the disturbers of the peace, as insur- 
gents, rebels, and traitors, and to inflict upon them the direst severity of the 
laws. They prepared, and sent to the Assembly, a riot act, modelled after 
that of Great Britain, making it felony without benefit of clergy, for twelve 
or more, tumultuously assembled together, to refuse to disperse upon the re- 
quisition of the civil authoi'ity, by proclamation, in form set forth in the act. 
The Assembly not only rejected this bill, but sought to give a more favoura- 
ble colour to the offences of the associators. The council of the proprietors, 
in a petition to the king, signed December 23d, 1748, by Andrew Johnson, 
president, represented, " that great numbers of men, taking advantage of a 
dispute subsisting between the branches of the Legislature of the province, 
and of a most unnatural rebellion at that time reigning in Great Britain, 
entered into a combination to subvert the laws and constitution of this pro- 
vince, and to obstruct the course of legal proceedings; to which end they en- 
deavoured to infuse into the minds of the people, that neither your Majesty 
nor your noble progenitors, Kings and Queens of England, had any right 
whatever to the soil or government of America, and that their grants were 
void and fraudulent ; and having by those means associated to themselves, 
great numbers of the poor and ignorant part of the people, they, in the month 
of September, 1745, began to carry into execution, their wicked schemes; 
when in a riotous manner, they broke open the jail of the county of Essex, 
and took from thence a prisoner, there confined by due process of law; and 
have, since that time, gone on like a torrent, bearing all down before them, 
dispossessing some people of their estates, and giving them to accomplices; 
plundering the estates of others, who do not join with them, and dividing the 
spoil among them; breaking open the prisons as often as any of them are 
committed, rescuing their accomplices, keeping daily in armed numbers, and 
travelling often in armed multitudes, to different parts of the province, for those 
purposes ; so that your Majesty's government and laws have, for above three 



^^BiM 



110 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

years last past, ceased to be that protection to the lives and properties of the 
people here, which your Majesty intended they should be." 

" These bold and daring people, not in the least regarding their allegiance, 
have presumed, to establish courts of justice, to appoint captains and officers 
over your Majesty's subjects, to lay and collect taxes, and to do many 
other things in contempt of your Majesty's authority, to which they refuse 
any kind of obedience : That all the endeavours of the government to put the 
laws in execution, have been hitherto vain ; for, notwithstanding many of 
these common disturbers stand indicted for high treason, in levying war 
against your Majesty, yet such is the weakness of the government, that it 
has not been able to bring one of them to trial and punishment : That the 
petitioners have long waited in expectation of a vigorous interposition of the 
Legislature, in order to give force to the laws, and enable your Majesty's 
officers to carry them into execution : But the House of Assembly, after 
neglecting the thing for a long time, have, at last, refused to afford the go- 
vernment any assistance ; for want of which, your petitioners' estates are 
left a prey to a rebellious mob, and your Majesty's government exposed to 
the repeated insults of a set of traitors." 

This grievous charge was unknown to the Assembly, until a copy of the 
petition of the proprietaries, was transmitted by the provincial agent. In 
October, 1749, the House sent a counter petition to the King, with the design 
of vindicating its conduct, in which it declared, " that the proprietaries of 
East New Jersey had, from the first settlement, surveyed, patented, and 
divided their lands, by Concessions, among themselves, in such manner as 
from thence many irregularities had ensued, which had occasioned multi- 
tudes of controversies and law suits, about titles and boundaries of land : — 
That, these controversies had subsisted between a number of poor people on 
the one part, and some of the rich, understanding, and powerful on the other 
part; among whom were James Alexander, Esq. a great proprietor, and an 
eminent lawyer, one of your Majesty's council, and surveyor-general for this 
colony, although a dweller in New York ; and Robert Hunter Morris, Esq. 
chief justice, and one of your Majesty's council in the said colony: That the 
said Alexander and Morris, not yielding to determine the matter in contest, 
by a few trials at law, as the nature of the thing would admit, but on the 
contrary, discovering a disposition to harass those people, by a multiplicity 
of suits, the last mentioned became uneasy (as we conceive) through fear, 
that those suits might be determined against them, when considered, that 
the said Chief Justice Morris, was son of the then late Governor Morris, by 
whose commission the other judges of the Supreme Court acted ; and by 
whom the then sheriffs, throughout the colony, had been appointed; and / 
should a multiplicity of suits have been determined against the people, in- 
stead of a few only, which would have answered the purpose, the extraordi- 
nary and unnecessary charges occasioned thereby, would have so far weak- 
ened their hands, as to have rendered them unable to appeal to your Majesty 
in council ; from whom they might expect impartial justice : That these are, 
in the opinion of the House, the motives that prevailed on these unthinking 
people, to obstruct the course of legal proceedings, and not any disaffection 
to your Majesty's person or government."* 

If the council of proprietors, supported by the Legislative council, was 
disposed to aggravate the offences of the insurgents into high treason, it is 
apparent, that the Assembly were not less resolved to consider them of a 
very venial character; and their conduct, upon this occasion, was highly 
disingenuous. The House could not refuse, from time to time, to condemn, 

* Votes of Assembly. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. Ill 

in strong terms, the conduct of the rioters ; but, no representation of the 
governor or council, could induce them, either to pass the riot act, or to arm 
the executive with military force, to capture the rioters, guard the prisons, 
or protect the public peace. If, indeed, the insurgents possessed a coloura- 
ble title to the lands, and had been oppressed by a multiplicity of suits, 
which they were disposed to render unnecessary by submission to the law, 
as apparent on the decision of a few ; if they had been content, with defend- 
ing their own possessions, without disturbing those of others ; the represen- 
tations of the Assembly might have been less reprehensible. But the title 
of the insurgents was, on its merits, wholly unsustainable in an English 
court of justice, where a mere Indian right could never prevail against the 
grant of the King. The true solution of the course taken by the Assembly 
will be found, most probably, in their sympathy for the rioters, and their 
hostility towards the leading members of the council, who were large pro- 
prietaries. The public peace, from this cause, continued unsettled, for seve- 
ral years. 

VII. The other subject which perplexed the administration of Governor 
Belcher, was a difference between the council and Assembly, on a bill for 
ascertaining the value of taxable property in each county, with the view to 
a new apportionment of their respective quotas. Among other property di- 
rected to be returned by this "Quota Bill," as it was termed, was ^'■the 
whole of all profitable tracts of land held by patent, deed, or survey, 
whereon any improvement is made." To this clause the council took ob- 
jection on two grounds, — first, that it was in contravention of the royal in- 
struction, prohibiting the governor from consenting to any act to tax unpro- 
fitable lands, and second, that it would be gross injustice, by taxing lands 
accoi'ding to their quantity and not according to their quality, since tracts of 
land might, and, probably, would, be deemed profitable, when the greater 
number of acres were wholly unproductive. The council, therefore, pro- 
posed, to amend the act, by declaring, that nothing therein was intended, to 
break in upon the royal instruction, or to warrant the assessors to include 
any unprofitable lands in their lists. The House, roused by this attempt to 
modify what they deemed a money bill, denied the right of the council, to 
amend such bill, and I'efused themselves to alter it, so as to remove the ob- 
jection. 

There is much reason to believe that the Assembly intended, at a season, 
when taxation was becoming unusually heavy, to reach a portion of the un- 
profitable lands held by many of the rich proprietaries, but which had 
hitherto been protected by the royal instruction ; and that they designed to 
make the whole of the lands pertaining to any improvement, whether wild 
or in culture, liable to taxation. The council, some of whose members were 
large proprietaries, were interested in firmly supporting the King's instruc- 
tion ; and in the space of a little more than three years, from 1747 to 1751, 
they impeded the passage of seven bills of like tenor; and as the "Quota 
Bill" was an indispensable preliminary to an act for the support of govern- 
ment, all the officers of the state were, during this period, deprived of their 
compensations. It was certainly unjust to require exemption from taxa- 
tion for lands which, though yielding no annual returns, were daily grow- 
ing in value, and increasing the wealth of the owner; yet there would 
not have been less injustice in exacting a tax proportioned on quantity 
alone, since one fertile acre happily located, might be worth a thousand of 
pine barren. 

We extract from the minutes of the Assembly, parts of messages between 
the council and the Assembly, in order to show the manner in which these 
bodies treated each other, and to give somewhat of the form and colour of 



112 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the times. Thus the cuoncil, in their address to the Assembly of the 19th 
of February, 1750, say — 

" The Assembly, in their message, and in their address to his excellency, 
accuse us of having taken liberties upon us ; as to which we think we have 
taken none, but what were our just right to take. But the liberties the As- 
sembly have taken with his Majesty, with his excellency, our governor, with 
the magistrates of this and other counties, and with us, by those papers, and 
during this and former late sessions, (as will appear by their minutes) and 
by spreading base, false, scandalous, and injurious libels against us; we be- 
lieve all sober and reasonable men will think unjustifiable — God only knows 
the hearts and thoughts of men. They have, it seems to us, even not left 
that his province uninvaded ; for they take upon them to suggest our thoughts 
to be not out of any great regard to his Majestifs instruction, that we have 
been led to make our amendment; but to exempt our large tracts of land 
from taxes; when they well knew, that a majority of this House, are not 
owners of large tracts of land ; and those who have such, do declare, they 
never had the least thought of having their lands exempted from taxes, con- 
sistent with reason and his Majesty's instructions." 

The House, in their democratic pride, did not deign to reply directly to 
this reproach. But they ordered an entry to be made upon their minutes, 
declaring, " That it would be taking up too much time, at the public ex- 
pense, for the House to make any particular answer thereto ; nor, indeed, is 
it necessary, when considered, that the message itself, will discover the coun- 
cil's aim, in having the improved part, only, of tracts of land taken an 
account of, in future taxation; which, if admitted, would exempt the unim- 
proved part of such tracts, from paying any part of the public tax : So that, 
should a gentleman be possessed of a tract often thousand acres of land, in 
one tract, worth ten thousand pounds, and only fifty acres of it improved; ^ ' 
and a poor freeholder should be possessed of a tract of one hundred acres, 
only, worth but one hundred pounds, and fitly acres of it improved ; the poor ' 
freeholder must pay as much as the gentleman ; and this we may venture to ' 
say, (without invading the province of God, which the council are pleased ,. 
to charge us with,) would be the obvious consequence of the bill, in questions. ■■ 
if passed in the manner the council insist ; and why, a poor man, worth only " 
one hundred pounds, should pay as much tax as a gentleman, worth ten ' 
thousand pounds, will be difficult for the council to show a reason; but at 
present, we may set it down as a difficult and surprising expedient, indeed, 
to favour the poor. 

" The council, instead of making it appear, that they have a right to 
amend the bill, as they have repeatedly resolved they had, have unhappily- 
fell into the railing language of the meanest class of mankind; in such a 
manner, that had it not been sent to this House, by one of their members, 
no man could imagine that it was composed by a deliberate determination of • 
a set of men, who pretend to sit as a branch of our Legislature. For, to-» 
wards the close of the above said message, they charge us with having taken 
liberties with his Majesty, with his excellency, our governor, with the 
magistrates of this, and other counties, and with our having spread false, 
scandalous, and injurious libels against them, the said council ; which, they .■ 
say, they believe, all sober and reasonable men, will think unjustifiable.. 
What liberties we have taken with his Majesty, otherwise, than to assert our 
loyalty to him, in our address to the governor, we know not : What liberties 
we have taken with the governor, unless it be, to tell him, the true reason of 
the government's being so long unsupported, and to represent the public . 
grievances to him, for redress, we know not : What liberties we have taken . 
with the gentlemen of the council, other than to tell them the truth, in modest, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 113 

plain English, we know not : What liberties we have taken w ith the magis- 
trates of this and other counties, unless it bo to inquire into their conduct, 
upon complaints, and after a fair and impartial hearing, to repi'csent their 
arbitrary and illegal proceedings, for redress, we know not; — and wherein 
we have been guilty of spreading false, scandalous, and injurious libels 
against the council, we know not. Therefore, it will be incumbent on them, 
to point out, and duly prove, some undue liberties we have taken, and libels 
spread, before any sober and reasonable men, will be prevailed on to con- 
demn our proceedings, as unjustifiable; which we think they will not do, 
upon the slender authority of the councifs insulting message to this House; 
which, in our opinion, is so far from being likely to prevail on any sober 
and reasonable men, to believe the false, scurrilous, and groundless charges, 
therein alleged against us; that it will rather discover the council to be men 
at least under the government of passion, if not void of reason and truth ; 
and, until they recover the right use of their reason again, it will be fruitless 
for this House to spend time in arguing with them." 

As it was now obviously impossible that the public business could pro- 
ceed, whilst these important branches of the government ceased to treat each 
other with ordinary respect, the governor prudently dissolved the Assembly. 
The new House, which met on the 20th of May, 1751, consisted of a majo- 
rity of new members, and was earnestly disposed to despatch the affairs of 
the province, as they evinced, by the passage of the quota bill, in a form, 
which dissipated the objections, that had hitherto prevailed against it ; classi- 
fying lands, according to their quality, and making all which could in any 
way be deemed profitable, liable to taxation, at a rate depending on their 
class. This difficulty was scarce removed, before another, partaking of the 
same character, arose. In the adaptation of a new act, for the support of 
the government, to the principles furnished by the quota act, the council 
assumed the right to amend the bill; though such right had always been 
peremptorily denied them, by the House, in relation to all money bills, and 
in the present case, their amendments were unanimously rejected. As this 
was a point which the Assembly were resolute to maintain, they sought to 
get over the delay by making the governor a party to the bill, in their 
favour ; and for that purpose, after it had been returned by council, sent it 
up directly, to him, that he might place it again before that body, accompa- 
nied with his influence for its passage. This course would have brought 
the form of administering the government back to that which it possessed, 
before the alteration made by Governor Morris, when the governor sat and 
debated with the council. But Mr. Belcher, declining to receive their bill, 
the House, unable to progress with it, was prorogued, and the public treasury 
still continued empty. Nor was it until February, 1752, after a delay of 
near four years, that a bill for the support of the government, received the 
approbation of every branch of the Legislature. 

VIII. The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which, in Europe, was but a hollow 
truce, was scarce regarded by the French, in America. Eager to extend 
their territories, and to connect their northern possessions with Louisiana, 
they projected a line of forts and military positions, from the one to the 
other, along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. They explored, and occupied 
the land upon the Ohio; buried, in many places, through the country, metal 
plates, with inscriptions declaratory of their claims;* caressed and threaten- 
ed the Indians by turns ; scattered liberal presents, and prepared to compel 
by force, what should bo refused to their kindness. 

" In 1750 



114 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

IX. In their Indian relations, the enterprise and industry of the French, 
were strongly contrasted with the coldness and apathy of the English. 
After the peace of 1748, the latter discontinued their attentions, even to 
those Indians they had induced to take up arms. They suffered the cap- 
tives to remain long unransomed; their families to pine in want, and utterly 
disregarded the children of the slain ; whilst the former, attentive to the 
vanity and interests of their allies, dressed them in finery, and loaded them 
with presents. Their influence over these untutored tribes, might have been 
greater, had they not sought to convert them to the Catholic faith ; for the 
Indians fancied, that the religious ceremonies, were arts, to reduce them to 
slavery.* The French had, by this policy, succeeded in estranging the 
Indians on the Ohio, and in dividing the councils of the Six Nations ; draw- 
ing off the Onondagoes, Cayugas, and Senecas. Their progress with these 
tribes, was rendered still more dangerous, by the death of several chiefs, who 
had been in the English interest, and by the advances of the British in the 
western country, without the consent of the aborigines. 

X. In prosecution of their views of territorial acquisition, and seduction 
of the Indians, the French attacked the Twightees, and slew many, in chas- 
tisement of their adherence to the British and protection of English traders. 
The Ohio Company having surveyed large tracts of land upon the Ohio river, 
with the design of settlement, the governor of Canada remonstrated with the 
governors of New York and Pennsylvania, upon this invasion of the French 
territories; and threatened to resort to force, unless the English traders 
abandoned their intercourse with the Indians. These threats being disre- 
garded, he captured some traders, and sent them to France, whence they 
returned, without redress. He also opened a communication from Presqu'isle, 
by French Creek, and the Alleghany river, to the Ohio; and though the Six 
Nations forbade him to occupy the Ohio lands, he contemned the present 
weakness of those tribes. 

XI. Governor Dinwiddle, of Virginia, learning that the French designed 
to pi'oceed southward, from Fort Venango, on French Creek, resolved to 
despatch an agent, for the double purpose of gaining intelligence, and remon- 
strating against their designs. For this duty, he selected Mr. George Wash- 
ington, then a young man, under twenty years of age. He left the frontier, 
with several attendants, on the 14th of November, 1753, and after a journey 
of two months, over mountain and torrent, through morass and forest, braving 
the inclemency of the winter, and the howling wilderness, and many dangers 
from Indian hostility, he returned, with the answer of Legardeau de St. 
Pierre, the French commandant upon the Ohio, dated at the fort, upon Le 
BoeufT river. The Frenchman referred the discussion of the rights of the 
two countries to the Marquis du Quesne, Governor-in-chief of Canada ; by 
whose orders, he had assumed, and meant to sustain, his present position. 
From De la Joncaire, a captain in the French service, and Indian interpreter, 
Washington received full information of the French designs. They founded 
their claim to the Ohio river, and its appurtenances, on the discovery of La 
Salle, sixty years before; and their present measures for its defence, had 
grown out of the attempts of the Ohio Company to occupy its banks. 

XII. The British ministry, instructed in the views and operations of the 
French nation, on the American continent, remonstrated with the Court of 
Versailles. But, whilst that court publicly instructed the Governor of Canada 
to refrain from hostilities, to demolish the fortress at Niagara, to deliver up, 
the captured traders, and to punish their captors, it privately informed him, 
that strict obedience was not expected. Deceived and insulted, the English 

" MSS. Journals of Conrad Weiser. Penes mc. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 115 

monarch resolved to oppose force to force; and the American governors 
were directed to repel the encroachments of any foreign prince or state. 

The English force in America, numerically considered, was much greater 
than that of the French; but divided among many and independent sections, 
its combined efforts were feeble and sluggish, whilst the French, directed by 
one will, had the advantages of union and promptitude, and drew the hap- 
piest hopes from the boldest enterprises. To resist them, effectually, some 
confederacy of the colonies was necessary, and common prudence required, 
that the affections of the Indians, towards the English, should be assured. A 
conference between the Six Nations, and the representatives of the colonies, 
was ordered by the ministry under the direction of Governor De Lancy, of 
New York. Governor Belcher communicated this order to the Assembly of 
Nev/ Jersey, on the 25th of April, 1754. But the House refused on this, as 
upon every other occasion, theretofore, to take part in the Indian treaties ; 
assigning as a reason, that their province had no participation in the Indian 
trade; professing, however, their readiness to contribute their assistance to 
the other colonies, towards preventing the encroachments of the French, on 
his Majesty's dominions, but declaring their present inability to do aught, on 
account of the poverty of their treasury. The reluctance which the Assem- 
bly displayed upon this subject, together with their rude reply to a remon- 
strance from the governor, provoked him to dissolve them. 

The Six Nations, although large presents were made them, were cold to the 
instances of the confederate council, which met on ihe 14th of June. Few 
attended, and it was evident that the affection of all towai-ds the English had 
diminished. They refused to enter into a coalition against the French, but 
consented to assist in driving them from the positions they had assumed in 
the West, and to renew former treaties. 

XIII. In this convention of the colonies, several plans for political union 
were submitted, and that devised by Mr. Franklin, of which the followino- is 
an outline, was adopted on the 4th of July. A general colonial government 
was to be formed, to be administered by a president-general, appointed 
and paid by the crown; and a grand council of forty-eight members to be 
chosen for three years, by the colonial Assemblies, to meet at Philadelphia, 
for the first time, at the call of the President. After the first three years, the 
number of members from each colony was to be in the ratio of the revenue, 
paid by it to the public treasury ; the grand council was to meet, statedly, an- 
nually, and might be specially convened, in case of emergency, by the presi- 
dent. It was empowered, to choose its speaker, and could not be dissolved, 
prorogued, nor kept together longer than six weeks at one time, without its 
consent, or the special command of the crown ; with the president-general, to 
hold or direct all Indian treaties, in which the general interest of the colonies 
was concerned, and to make peace and declare war with Indian nations: — to 
purchase for the crown, from the Indians, lands not within particular colo- 
nies: — to make new settlements on such purchases, by granting lands in the 
King's name, reserving quit-rent to the crown, for the use of the general trea- 
sury: — to make laws regulating and governing such new settlements until 
they should be formed into particular governments, to raise soldiers, build 
forts and equip vessels of war ; and for these purposes, to make laws and levy 
taxes : — To appoint a general treasurer, and a particular treasurer in each 
government ; disbursements to be made only on an appropriation by law, or 
by joint order of the president and council ; the general accounts to be settled 
yearly, and reported to the several Assemblies: — Twenty-five members to 
form a quorum of the council, there being present, one or more, from a ma- 
jority of the colonies : — The assent of the president-gpneral was requisite to 



116 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

all acts of the council, and it was his duty to execute them: — The laws 
enacted were to be as like as possible to those of England, and to be trans- 
mitted to the King in council for approval, as soon as might be after their 
enactment, and if not disapproved within three years, to remain in force. On 
the death of the president-general, the speaker was to succeed him, and to hold 
his office until the King's pleasure should be known. Military and naval , 
officers, acting under this constitution, were to be appointed by the president, 
and approved by the council, and the civil officers to be nominated by the 
council, and approved by the president; and in case of vacancy, civil or miH- 
tary, the governor of the province in which it happened, was to appoint, until 
the pleasure of the president and council should be ascertained. 

This plan was submitted to the board of trade in England, and to the As- 
semblies of the several provinces. Franklin* says, its fate was singular. 
The Assemblies rejected it, as containing too much prerogative ; whilst in 
England, it was condemned as too democratic. Had it been adopted, the 
projector might have been famed as the forger of a nation's chains, instead . 
of the destroyer of a tyrant's sceptre. f As a substitute, the British ministry 
proposed, that the governors of the colonies, with one or more members of 
the respective councils, should resolve on the measures of defence, and draw 
on the British treasury for the money required, to be refunded by a general 
tax, imposed by Parliament, on the colonies. But this proposition was 
deemed inadmissible by the provinces. The " plan of union," as adopted ■ 
by the Congress, was laid before the Assembly of New Jersey in October. 
The House voted that if it should be carried into effect, " it might be preju- . 
dicial to the prerogative of the crown, and to the liberties of the people." • 
They instructed their agent, at court, to petition the King and Parliament 
against its ratification. 

In the mean time, Virginia had raised three hundred men, under the com- 
mand of Colonel Fry and Lieutenant Colonel Washington. The latter 
marched with two companies, in advance, to the Great Meadows, in the 
Alleghany Mountains ; where he learned, that the French had dispersed a 
party, employed by the Ohio company, to erect a fort on the Monongahela 
river ; were, themselves, raising fortifications at the confluence of that ' 
river with the Alleghany, and that a detachment was then approaching his 
camp. It was impossible to doubt of the hostile intentions of this party, and 
Washington resolved to anticipate them. Guided by his Indians, under cover 
of a dark and rainy night, he surprised the French encampment, and cap- . 
tured the whole party, save one who fled, and Jumonville, the commanding 
officer, who was killed. Soon after, the whole regiment, the command of 
which had devolved on Mr. Washington, by the death of Mr. Fry, was 
united at the Gi-eat Meadows ; and reinforced by two independent companies 
of regulars, the one from South Carolina, and the other from New Y'ork. — 
It formed an effective force of five hundred men. Having erected a stockade 
for protecting their provisions and horses, the troops marched to dislodge the 
enemy from Fort Du Quesnc. But their progress was arrested by informa- / 
tion of the advance of twelve hundred French and Indians. As the Ameri- 
cans had been six days without bread, had but a small supply of meat 
remaining, and dreaded the enemy would cut them off from their stores, 
they resolved to retreat to their stockade, to which they gave the name of ^ 
Fort Necessity. Colonel Washington began a ditch around this post, but 
ere he could complete it, he was attacked by the French force under Mon- 

" Memoirs, 

f C(tli nripvk fiilmrn sce.ptnirnqnc tip'/innis. . 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 117 

sieur de Villiers. The troops made an obstinate defence, fighting partly 
within the stockade, and partly in the ditch, half filled with mud and water, 
from ten o'clock in the morning until dark, when De Villiers demanded a 
parley, and offered terms of capitulation. During the night, articles were 
signed, allowing the garrison the honours of war, to retain their arms and 
baggage, and to return home unmolested. The last clause was not strictly 
kept, the Indians harassing and plundering the Americans during their re- 
treat. The courage and conduct of Washington, on this occasion, were 
greatly applauded; and the Assembly of Virginia voted their thanks to him 
and his officers. The French retired to their post on the Ohio.* 

The attack, on the part of Jumonville, without summons or expostulation, 
was deeply reprobated by the French. Whilst peace prevailed between the 
two nations, hostility, they said, should not have been presumed. They have 
called the death of that officer, an assassination, even in the capitulation of 
Fort Necessity ; the attack on which, they state to have been made, in con- 
sequence of the outrage upon their advance party. These allegations are 
refuted, by a review of the conduct of the French, since the development of 
their designs upon the Ohio. The capture of the persons and property of 
the settlers, at Logtown, and of the Indian traders, wherever found in the 
western country, afforded conclusive evidence of their intention to try the 
disputed title by force ; and they could not, justly, complain of the reply to 
their argument.f 

With great industry, the French completed Fort Du Quesne, at the 
confluence of the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers, where the thriving 
city of Pittsburg now stands; garrisoned it with one thousand regulars, 
amply supplied with cannon, provisions, and other munitions ; and prepared 
to occupy the country of the Twightees, with numerous settlers. The Six 
Nation Indians, now more numerous on the western waters, than in their 
ancient seats, indifferent to the English cause, and divided among them- 
selves, barely maintained their neutrality. Some of them had removed to 
Canada, preferring the protection of the active and enterprising French com- 
manders. The small body of British troops, collected on the frontiers, was 
weakened by desertion, and corrupted by insubordination ; whilst the Indians 
who still adhered to their interest, retired to Aughwick, in Pennsylvania, 
where they proclaimed their admiration of the courage of the enemy, and 
their contempt of the sloth of their fi'iends ; and were scarcely kept in quiet, 
by the liberality of the Assembly of Pennsylvania to their families, and its 
forbearance towards the license of their chiefs. 

■ XIV. At length, however. Great Britain prepared to oppose, energeti- 
cally, the growing power of her restless rival in the Western World. Two 
regiments of foot from Ireland, under the command of Colonels Dunbar and 
Halkett, were ordered to Virginia, to be there enforced ; and Governor Shir- 
ley and Sir William Pepperell were directed to raise two regiments, of a 
thousand men each, to be officered from New England, and commanded by 
themselves. The provinces, generally, were required, to collect men for 
enlistment, to be placed at the disposal of a commander-in-chief of rank and 
capacity, who would be appointed to command all the King's forces in Ame- 
rica ; to supply the troops on their arrival with provisions, and to furnish all 
necessaries for the soldiers landed or raised within the province; to provide 

* Marshall's Washington. Bradford's Journal. Review of Military Operations in 
Korth America. London, 1757. 

t Colonel Washington, who was ignorant of the French language, was unable to 
read the articles of capitulation, and was, therefore, obliged to rely on an interpreter, 
who rendered the word "assassinat" into the word ^'death" merely. — Wash. Lett. 



118 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the officers with means for travelling, for impressing carriages and quarter* 
ing troops. And as these were " local matters, arising entirely within their 
colonies, his Majesty informed his subjects, that he expected the charges 
thereof to be borne by them in their respective provinces, whilst articles 
of more general concern would be charged upon a common fund to be, 
raised from all the colonies of North America; towards which, the governors 
were severally requested to urge the Assemblies to contribute liberally, until a 
union of the northern colonies, for general defence, could be effected. 

XV. The Assembly of New Jersey, before whom Governor Belcher laid 
these requisitions in February, and who were incited to prompt and liberal mea- 
sures by the solicitations of their constituents, praying the House to pass such 
bills as might be necessary (in proportion with the other colonies) to assist 
his Majesty in driving the French from their fortifications on the Ohio, and in 
defence of the frontiers, appropriated five hundred pounds for the subsistence 
of the royal troops, during their march through the colony, and transporta- 
tion of their baggage ; and also at the instance of Governor Shirley, passed an 
act to prevent the exportation of provisions, naval or warlike stores to any of 
the French dominions. The House excused themselves from appropriating 
a larger sum, under pretence, that by a bill passed at a previous session, and 
sent to England for the approbation of the King, they had granted for his 
Majesty's service, ten thousand pounds. This bill provided for issuing in bills 
of credit, the sum of seventy thousand pounds ; and the House had just reason 
to believe, that it would receive the royal sanction, since they had the assent 
of the board of trade and plantations, to issue sixty thousand pounds, and the 
surplus was given to the national use. But the objections to provincial paper 
currency in England, could not yet be overcome. 

XVI. Major-general Braddock, Sir John St. Clair, adjutant-general, and 
the regiments of Dunbar and Halkett, which sailed from Cork on the 14th of 
January, 1755, arrived early in March at Alexandria, in Virginia, whence 
they marched to Fredericktown, in Maryland. The place of debarkation 
was selected with that ignorance and want of judgment, which then distin- 
guished the British ministry. The country could furnish neither provisions 
rjor carriages for the army, whilst Pennsylvania, rich in grain, and well 
stocked with wagons, could readily have supplied food and the means of 
transportation ; and from this source the general, with the aid of Mr. Benjamin 
Franklin, drew finally the means of making the expedition against the French 
in the West. 

XVII. A convention of the Governors of New York, Massachusetts, Mary- ' 
land, and Virginia, convened at Annapolis, to settle with General Braddock, 
a plan of military operations. Three expeditions were resolved on. The 
first, against Fort Du Quesne, under the command of General Braddock, in 
person, with the British troops, and such aid as he could draw from Mary- 
land and Virginia, — the second, against Forts Niagara and Frontignac, 
under Genei-al Shirley, with his own and Pepperell's regiments — and the third, 
originally proposed by Massachusetts, against Crown Point, to be executed ' 
altogether with colonial troops from New England, New York, and New 
Jersey, under Major-general William Johnson. 

XVIII. Whilst these measures were in embryo, an attack conducted by Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Monckton, a British officer, and Lieutenant-colonel Winslow, 
a major-general of the Massachusetts militia, was made against the French 
who had possessed themselves of a portion of the country claimed by the 
English, for the province of Nova Scotia. In little more than a month, with 
the loss of three men, only, possession was obtained of the whole province 
according to the British definition of its boundaries. This easy conquest 
dated the colonies, and produced sanguine anticipations of the results of their 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 119 

future efforts. But their present success was disgraced by scenes of devasta- 
tion and misery, scarce paralleled in modern history. 

The inhabitants of Nova Scotia were chiefly of French descent. By the 
treaty of Utrecht, (1713,) they were permitted to retain their lands, taking 
the oath of allegiance to their new sovereign, with the qualification, that they 
should not be compelled to bear arms against their Indian neighbours, or 
their countrymen; and this immunity was, at subsequent periods, assured to 
their children. Such was the notoriety of this compact, that, for half a cen- 
tury, they had borne the name, and with few exceptions, maintained the cha- 
racter of neutrals. But, now, excited by this ancient love of France, by their 
religious attachments, and their doubts of the English rights, some of these 
frugal, industrious, and pious people, were seduced to take up arms. Three 
hundred were found in the fortress of Beau Sejour, at its capture, but it was 
stipulated, that they should be left in the same situation, as when the army 
arrived, and should not be punished for any thing they had subsequently done. 
Yet, a council was convened by Lawrence, Lieutenant Governor of Nova 
Scotia, at which Admirals Boscawen and Moyston assisted, to determine the 
fate of these unfortunate people. Their elders were required to take the oath 
of allegiance to the British monarch, without the exemption, which, during 
fifty years, had been granted to them and their fathers. Upon their refusal, 
although, out of a population of seven thousand, three hundred only had borne 
arms, the council resolved to expel all from their country, to confiscate their 
property, money and household goods excepted, to lay waste their estates, 
and burn their dwellings. The public records and muniments of title, were 
seized, and the elders of the people treacherously made prisoners. Governor 
Lawrence, with great presumption, and total disregard of the rights of the 
neighbouring provinces, imposed a heavy and durable burden upon them, 
in the reception and maintenance of this devoted race. In transporting them 
to their several destinations, the charities of blood and affinity were wanton- 
ly torn asunder. Parents were separated from their children — and husbands 
from their wives. Among many instances of this barbarity, was that of 
Rene Le Blanc, who had been imprisoned four years, by the French, on 
account of his English attachments. The family of this venerable man, 
consisting of twenty children, and about one hundred and fifty grand-chil- 
dren, were scattered in different colonies; and himself, with his wife and 
two children only, were put on shore at New York. 

XIX. The province of- New Jei-sey, in a continental war, dreaded most, 
an attack from Canada, by the way of New York, and scarce felt any ap- 
prehension of danger, from the French and Indians on the Ohio. The Assem- 
bly cordially approved of the plan of operation adopted at Annapolis, and, 
particularly of the expedition against Crown Point ; and resolved, immediately, 
to raise a battalion, of five hundred men, for the maintenance of which, they 
issued bills of credit, for £15,000, redeemable within five years. The 
governor nominated Mr. Peter Schuyler, with the rank of colonel, to the 
command of this force ; and that gentleman's popularity was such, that the 
battalion was not only promptly filled, but a much larger number of men, 
presented themselves for enlistment, than were required. The arms for 
these troops, of which the colony was almost wholly unprovided, were pro- 
cured from Virginia, at the cost of the Assembly. 

XX. General Braddock having removed his army to Fort Cumberland, 
on Wills's Creek, on his way to the west, received there, his wagons, and 
other necessary supplies ; and being, at length, after many delays, amply 
furnished with all the munitions he required, and also reinforced by a con- 
siderable body of Americans and Indians, broke up his encampment on 

I the 12th of June, and passed the Alleghany mountain, at the head of two 



120 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

thousand two hundred men. On reaching the Little Meadows, five days' 
march from Fort du Quesne, he convoked a council of war, to consult 
on future operations. Colonel Washington, who had entered his family, 
as a volunteer aid-de-camp, and who possessed a knowledge of the coun- 
try, and of the nature of the service, had urged the substitution of pack 
hoi'ses for wagons, in the transportation of the baggage, now renewed his 
advice; and earnestly and successfully recommended, that the heavy artil- 
lery and stores should remain with the rear division, and follow by easy 
marches, whilst a chosen body of troops, with a few pieces of light cannon 
and stores, of absolute necessity, should press forward to Fort du Quesne. 
Twelve hundred men, and twelve pieces of cannon, being selected, were' 
commanded by General Braddock, in person. Sir Peter Halkctt, acted as 
brigadier, having under him Lieutenant-colonels Gage and Burton, and 
Major Spark. Thirty wagons, only, including those with ammunition, fol- 
lowed the march. The residue of the army remained under the care of 
Colonel Dunbar and Major Chapman. 

The benefit of these prudent measures was lost by the fastidiousness and 
presumption of the commander-in-chief. Instead of pushing on with vigour, 
regardless of a little rough road, he halted to level every molehill, and to 
throw bridges over every brook, employing four days to reach the great 
crossings of the Youghiogany, nineteen miles from the Little Meadows. On 
his march, he neglected the advantage his Indians afforded him, of recon- 
noitering the woods and passages on the front and flank, and even rejected 
the prudent suggestion of Sir Peter Halkett, on this subject, with a sneer at 
his caution.* 

This overweening confidence and reckless temerity were destined to a. 
speedy and fatal reproof. f Having crossed the Monongahela river, within 
seven miles of Fort du Quesne, wrapt in security, and joyously anticipating 
the coming victory, his progress was suddenly checked, by a destructive 
fire, on the front and left flank, from an invisible enemy. The van was 
thrown into confusion ; but the main body, forming thi-ee deep, instantly 
advanced. The commanding otEcer of the enemy having fallen, it was sup- 
posed from the suspension of the attack, that the assailants had dispersed. 
But the delusion was momentary. The fire was renewed with great spirit, 
and unerring aim; and the English, beholding their comrades drop around 
them, unable to see the foe, or tell whence their death arrived, broke and « 
fled in utter dismay. The general, astounded at this sudden and unexpected, 
attack, lost his self-possession, and neither gave orders for a regular retreat, 
nor for his cannon to advance and scour the woods. He remained on the 
spot where he first halted, directing the troops to form in regular platoons 
against a foe dispersed through the forest, behind trees and bushes, whose 
every shot did execution. The oflicers behaved admirably ; but distinguish- 
ed by their dresses, and selected by the hidden marksmen, they suffered 
severely; every one on horseback, except Washington, was killed or wound- 
ed; he had two horses killed under him, and four balls through his coat. 
Sir Peter Halkett was killed on the spot; and the general himself, having 
been five times dismounted, received a ball through the arm, and lungs, and 
was carried from the field of battle. He survived only four days. On the 
first, he was totally silent, and at night, only said, "Who would have' 
thought it?" He was again silent until a few minutes before his death, 
when he observed, " We shall better know how to deal with them another 
time." 

The defeat was total — the carnage unusually great. Sixty-four, out of 

* Marshall, Wash Lett. i July <J, 1755. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 121 

eighty-five officers, and one-half the privates, were killed or wounded. 
Many fell by the arms of their fellow soldiers. An absolute alienation of 
mind, seems to have fallen upon the regular troops. In despite of the orders 
of the officers, many gathered in squads of ten or twelve deep, and in their 
confusion, shot down the men before them; whilst the troops in line fired 
on the provincials wherever they saw a smoke, or heard a shot from behind 
trees. Captain Waggoner, of the Virginia forces, who had taken an advan- 
tageous position on the flank, with eighty men, was driven from it by the 
British fire with the loss of fifty.* Fortunately, the Indians were held from 
pursuit by the desire of plunder. The artillery and military stores, even the 
private cabinet of the commander-in-chief, containing his instructions, fell 
into the hands of the enemy, whose whole force was computed at three 
hundred men. 

The fugitives continuing their flight to Dunbar's division, so infected it 
with their ten'or, that, though the enemy did not advance, all the artillery and 
stores collected for the campaign, except those indispensable for immediate 
use, were destroyed, and the remnant of the army marched to Fort Cum- 
berland. The loss in this engagement would have been still greater, but for 
the coolness and courage of the colonial troops. These, whom Braddock 
had contemptuously placed in his rear, so far from yielding to the panic 
which disordered the regulars, offered to advance against the enemy, until 
tlie others could form and bring up the artillery ; but the regulars could not 
again be brought to the charge, yet the provincials actually formed and 
covered their retreat. The conduct of the Virginia troops merits the great- 
est praise. Of three companies brought into the field, it is said, scarce thirty 
escaped uninjured. Captain Pcyroncy and all his officers, down to the cor- 
poral, were killed. Captain Poison's company shared almost as hard a fate ; 
the captain himself being killed, and one officer only escaping. Of the com- 
pany of light-horse, commanded by Captain Stewart, twenty-five out of 
twenty-nine were slain. f 

This misfortune is solely to be ascribed to the misconduct of the general. 
Presumptuous, arrogant, and ignorant, he had no quality save courage to 
insui-e success. Unacquainted with the country, and the Indian mode of 
warfare, he neglected the suggestions of the Duke of Cumberland, whose in- 
structions seem predicated on a prescience of his conduct, and the advice of 
his American officers, to employ his Indians in guarding against ambush and 
surprise. He neglected and disobliged the Virginians, and behaved with in- 
supportable haughtiness to all around him. With a lethargy in all his 
senses, produced by self-sufficiency, he led his troops to be defeated and 
slaughtered by a handful of men, who intended only to molest their 
march.:]: 

Dunbar proposed to return with his army, yet strong enough to meet the 
enemy, to Philadelphia; but consented, on the remonstrance of the Assembly 
of Pennsylvania, to keep the frontiers. He requested a conference with 
Governor Morris, at Shippensburg ; but Governor Shirley having succeeded 
to the chief command of the forces in America, though at first he directed 
Dunbar to renew the enterprise on Fort Du Quesne, and to draw upon the 
neighbouring provinces for men and munitions, changed his mind, and deter- 
mined to employ his troops elsewhere, leaving to the populous provinces of 
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, the care of their own defence. 

' Fenn. Records. 
\ Penn. Gaz. 

{ Modern Univ. Hist. Marshall. Franklin. Richard Peters' Report*to Council. 
W. Shirley's letter to Governor Morris. See note Z, Appendix. 

Q 



122 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

XXI. The defeat of General Braddock, wholly unexpected, produced' 
great consternation throughout all the colonies. Upon receipt of intelli- 
gence of this extraordinary event, as Governor Belcher properly termed it, 
he summoned the Assembly of New Jersey, to meet him on the 1st of Au* 
gust; but it was not until the approach of winter, that they became fully 
aware of its disastrous consequences, and began to prepare against them. 
The enemy, long restrained, by fear of another attack, could scarce credit 
his senses, when he discovered the defenceless state of the frontiers; and 
now roamed, unmolested and fearlessly, along the western lines of Virginia,' 
Maryland, and Pennsylvania; committing the most appalling outrages, and 
wanton cruelties, which the cupidity and ferocity of the savage could dictate. 
The first inroads were in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, whence, they 
were soon extended to the Susquehanna; and thence through Berks and 
Northampton Counties, across the Delaware, into New Jersey. New hor- 
rors were given to these scenes, by the defection of the Shawanese and Dela- 
ware Indians, who had hitherto continued faithful, and had repeatedly 
solicited employment against the French and their allies, with threats, that 
unless engaged with the English, they would take part against them. These 
threats had been humanely, if not wisely, withstood ; and now, irritated by 
the love of blood, and of plunder, and the hopes fed by the French, of re- 
covering the lands they had sold, these savages openly joined the foe. To 
the perversion of these tribes, the Delaware chiefs, Shingas and Captain 
Jacobs, were highly instrumental. They had been loaded with presents 
and favours, by the provincial authorities of Pennsylvania, and the principal 
inhabitants of Philadelphia ; and their defection and perfidy, justly awakened 
the anger of the citizens of that province ; who, with the approbation of the 
governor, pi'oclaimed a reward of seven hundred dollars for their heads. 

In the month of November, these barbarous wretches laid waste the set^ 
tlements in Northampton county, not sparing even those of the Moravians, 
who had ever treated them and their brethi-en, with the greatest kindness. 
Gnadenhutten, on the Lehigh, was attacked, and several of its inhabitants 
slaughtered ; and the other Moravian stations soon shared a like fate. A 
letter from the Union Iron Works, New Jersey, dated 20th December, 1755, 
says, "the barbarous and bloody scene, which is now open in the upper- 
parts of Northampton County, is the most lamentable, that has perhaps ever 
appeared. There may be seen horror and desolation ; populous settlementsf ' 
deserted — villages laid in ashes — men, women and children, cruelly man- 
gled and massacred — some found in the woods, very nauseous, for want of v' 
interment — some just reeking from the hands of their savage slaughterers — • 
and some hacked, and covered all over with wounds." To this letter was -li 
annexed, a list of seventy-eight persons killed, and more than forty settle- 
ments burned. 

A letter from Easton, of the 25th of the same month, states, that " the 
country, all above this town, for fifty miles, is mostly evacuated and ruined. 
The people have, chiefly, fled into the Jerseys. Many of them have threshed I' 
out their corn, and caiTied it off, with their cattle, and best household goods; 
but a vast deal is left to the enemy. Many offered half their personal efTects, 
to save the rest; but could not obtain assistance enough, in time to remove, 
them. The enemy made but few prisoners ; murdering almost all that fell 
into their hands, of all ages, and both sexes. All business is at an end ; and 
the few remaining, starving inhabitants, in this town, are quite dejected and 
dispirited." 

The panic, which foreran the savage monsters, seemed to deprive their r 
prey, of the means of concerting defence and retaliation. And the farmers, 
intoxicated with hope, or stupefied by fear, suffered the invader to approach 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 123 

their solitary and undefended homesteads, without an effort to stop them on 
the way. This was the effect of a long period of peace, and the consequent 
total inexperience of warfare, as well as of the manner by which the assail- 
ants conducted their attacks. They wandered over the country, in small 
parties, concealing themselves, whilst danger was near, and pouncing, sud- 
denly, upon the unprepared, generally during the darkness of the night; 
they made undistinguished slaughter; and frequently consumed their vic- 
tims, upon the funeral piles formed of their dwellings. This senseless, and 
emasculating fear, seems to have spent itself, on the right bank of the De- 
laware. 

The inhabitants of New Jersey, roused by the sufferings of their neigh- 
bours, prepared seasonably, not only to resist the foe, but to protect their 
friends. Among the energetic citizens of Sussex County, Colonel John 
Anderson was most conspicuous. With four hundred men, whom he col- 
lected, he scoured the country, marched to the defence of Easton, and pur- 
sued the dastard enemy, unhappily, in vain. The governor promptly des- 
patched troops from all parts of the province, to the defence of its western 
frontier ; and the wealthy inhabitants advanced the funds requisite for their 
maintenance, until the Assembly, in the middle of December, took such 
troops, upon the provincial establishment, and recalled their battalion, under 
Colonel Schuyler, from the northern service, where it was then idle; and 
placed them, also, on the frontier. To meet the expenses thus incurred, 
the House, though greatly chagrined, at the rejection, by the King, of their 
bill, for a paper currency, voted £10,000, in such bills, redeemable at the 
usual period of five years.* 

XXII. The troops destined for the northern expeditions, assembled at 
Albany, on the close of June, but were not equipped for the field, until the 
last of August. General Johnson proceeded to the southern shore of Lake 
George, on his way to Ticonderoga, where he received information of the 
approach of Baron Dieskau, at the head of twelve hundred regulars, and six 
hundred Canadians and Indians. He detached Colonel Williams, with one 
thousand men, to reconnoitre, and to skirmish with the enemy. Engaging 
with the foe, the detachment was overthrown, put to flight, and its com- 
mander killed. A second detachment, sent to the aid of the first, experienced 
a like fate: both were pursued to the camp, where they found shelter, be- 
*hind abreast-work of fallen trees, which the American army had thrown up, 
in its front. The artillery, which had lately arrived, was served with effect; 
and though the Baron advanced firmly to the charge, his militia and Indians 
deserted him, and he was compelled with his regulars tq retreat. In the 
pursuit, which was close and ardent, Dieskau, mortally wounded and aban- 
doned, was made prisoner. A scouting party, unde'- the command of Cap- 
tains Folsom and Maginnis, from Fort Edward, fell on the baggage of the 
enemy, routed the guard, and immediately after engaged with the retreating 
army; which, surprised by an enemy whose force it did not know, fled pre- 
, cipitately towards the posts on the lake. This repulse of Dieskau, though 
1 not followed up by Johnson, was magnified into a splendid victory; served 
I in some measure, to relieve the effect of Braddock's defeat, and procured the 
j fortunate general, a present of five thousand pounds sterling, from the House 
{ of Commons, and the title of baronet, from the King. This army was soon 
I after discharged, with the exception of six hundred men, retained to garrison 
[ Forts Edward and William Henry. The French seized and fortified Ticon- 
i deroga. 

General Shirley, at the head of the expedition against Niagara and Fron- 

* Votes. 



124 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

tignac, did not reach Oswego, on Lake Ontario, until late in August. His 
force consisting of about thirteen hundred regulars, and one hundred and 
twenty militia and Indians, he divided ; embarl^ing between six and seven 
hundred men, for Niagara, and leaving the remainder at Oswego. But he 
had scarce embarked, before the rains set in with fury, and his Indians, dis- 
couraged, dispersed. It was apparent, that the season was now too far ad- 
vanced for the accomplishment of his design, which, by the advice of a 
council of war, was abandoned. A garrison of seven hundred men was left 
at Oswego, to complete the works, and the general returned to Albany. 

XXIII. The marauding parties of French and Indians hung on the western 
frontiers during the winter. To guard against their devastations, a chain of 
forts and block-houses, were erected by Pennsylvania, along the Kittatinny 
or Blue Mountain, from the river Delaware to the Maryland line, command- 
ing the principal passes of the mountains. In New Jersey, forts and block 
houses were also erected along the mountain, and at favorable points on the 
east bank of the Delaware river. Although the inroads of the savages across 
the river were infrequent, yet the fear which every one on the frontier felt, 
that his midnight slumbers might be broken by the warwhoop, or that his 
dwelling and out-houses might be consumed before the morning's dawn, was 
sufficient to disturb the repose of the most courageous. Many lefl their 
homes, and all called loudly upon the Assembly for additional means of de- 
fence. And in the spring, when the Jersey regiment was again to proceed 
to the north, the House authorized the enlistment of two hundred and fifty 
volunteers, to supply their place and that of the militia on the frontier. Two 
hundred of this force were also destined to unite with any troops that might 
be organized by other colonies, for pursuing the brutal enemy to his den, ' 
and making him, in the sufferings of his wives and his children, feel the 
horrors which he had delighted to inflict. The provincial force on the 
frontier was, subsequently, increased, and the whole was commanded by^ 
Colonel De Hart. 

XXIV. Governor Shirley, having been appointed commander-in-chief, , 
summoned, in the spring of the year 1756, the governors of the northern 
and middle colonies to settle the plan of the ensuing campaign. The council 
resolved on raising ten thousand two hundred and fifty men ; to attack Nia- ■ 
gara, that the communication between Canada and Louisiana might be cut : 
off; to reduce Ticonderoga and Crown Point, that the command of Lak^; 
Champlain might be obtained, and New York be freed from the apprehen- • 
sion of invasion ; to besiege Fort Du Quesne ; and to detach a body of forces, , 
by the river Kennebeck, to alarm the capital of Canada. This plan was too > 
extensive for the means which General Shirley possessed ; and served only 
to dissipate the strength, which more concentrated efforts might have ren- - 
dered serviceable. 

In enlisting troops for the approaching campaign, the recruiting parties in 
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, gave great offence to the inhabitants, by the 
reception, if not, the seduction of their indented servants ; and the Assembly , 
of the latter province threatened to discontinue the regiment they had fur- 
nished, unless this grievance were redressed. Circumstances, however, did 
not admit the discharge of such recruits to any great extent; of which the 
House, becoming sensible, it appropriated £15,000, for the maintenance of 
that regiment for the ensuing campaign. Extraordinary inducements werei 
offered at this time, for enlistment in the royal regiments. The recruits werei 
exempted from service any where but in North America, and were promised" 
a bounty of two hundred acres of land, free from quit-rents, for ten years,- 
either in the province of New York, New Hampshire, or Nova Scotia, ati 
their option; to be assured, in case fhey should be killed in the service, to^ 






HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 125 

their children. And to stimulate the provinces to liberal appropriations, as 
occasion might require, Parliament voted £115,000 sterling, to be distri- 
buted at the King's pleasure, among the northern and middle provinces, of 
which New Jersey received five thousand pounds. 

XXV. Though France and England had been engaged in the warmest 
hostilities, in America, since 1754, the peace was not openly and avowedly 
broken in Europe, until May, of the present year. The events in America, 
in 1754, had determined each to despatch considerable reinforcements to the 
colonies. The French, understanding that orders had been given to Bosca- 
wen, to intercept their squadron, declared they would consider the first gun 
fired as a declaration of war ; and their minister was recalled from London, 
in consequence of an attack upon their fleet, by that admiral. The British 
government instantly issued letters of marque, under which a large number 
of French merchant ships, and seven thousand French sailors, were captured. 
A blow which had great effect upon the subsequent operations of the war, in 
Europe and America. 

XXVI. Either from want of confidence in the military talents of General 
Shirley, or that, he might give them information on American affairs, the 
ministry removed him from his command, and summoned him to England. 

\-General Abercrombie succeeded him ; with whom came out two additional 
regiments. But the chief direction of the war was soon after given to the 
Earl of Loudon, who was appointed governor of Virginia, and colonel of 
the royal American regiment, which had been lately formed from the 
German emigrants. 

XXVII. In the mean time, Sir William Johnson had succeeded, by the 
• mediation of the Six Nations, in disposing the Shawanese and Delawares to 

an accommodation. Hostilities against them were suspended, and the treaty 
of peace was soon after ratified at Easton. This was the withdrawal of one 
painful thorn from the side of the colonies ; and the chastisement inflicted by 
Colonel Armstrong of Pennsylvania,* by the destruction of the den of the 
horde, at Kittanning, soon extracted another. The conflagration of that 
town, and slaughter of the Indian families there, was a severe stroke upon 
the savages. Hitherto, the English had not assailed them in their towns, 
and they fancied, would not venture to approach them. But, now, though 

• urged by unquenchable thirst of vengeance to retaliate the blow, they 
■" dreaded, that, in their absence on war parties, their wigwams might be re- 

. duced to ashes. Such of them as belonged to Kittanning, and had escaped 
the carnage, refused to settle again on the east of Fort Du Quesne; resolving 
to place that fortress and the French garrison between themselves and the 
English. 

XXVIII. Of the many enterprises resolved on by General Shirley, several 
. were unattempted ; none were successful. Notwithstanding the exertions in 

the northern provinces, the recruiting service moved heavily. Much time was 
lost by the change of commanders ; and the season for operation was nearly 
half spent, before the arrival of Lord Loudon. No preparations were made 
against Fort Du Quesne. The colonies of Virginia, Maryland, aad Penn- 
sylvania, far from pursuing offensive measures, were unable to project them- 
selves. The expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, was confided 
to General Winslow, who had won golden opinions during his last campaign, 
■ in Nova Scotia. Seven thousand provincialists had assembled near Lake 
' George, but their number was reduced by subtractions for the garrisons in 
their roar. Winslow refused to proceed without reinforcements; and though 
soon after strengthened by some British troops, under General Abercrombie, 

* September 8th, 1756. 



126f HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

he was perplexed and embarrassed by disputes relative to rank, which grew 
out of this junction. The regulations of the crown, on this subject, had 
given great offence in America ; and such was the reluctance of the provin- 
cialisis to serve under British officers, that, in the present case, in order to 
enable the troops to act, separately, the Americans were withdrawn from the 
garrisons to the army, and their places supplied with British forces. The 
expedition to Ontario was i-endered hopeless by the successes of the French 
under Montcalm, who had captured the forts of Ontario and Oswego, situate 
on either side of the Onondago river, at its junction with the lake. These 
forts in the counti-y of the Six Nations, he, with sound policy, destroyed, in 
their presence. At the capture of Oswego, Colonel Schuyler, and half the 
Jersey regiment, which formed part of the garrison, were made prisoners 
and sent to Canada; from whence they were not released, until the end of 
the campaign, and then on parole, not to serve for eighteen months. The 
regiment was, however, recruited to its original state of five hundred men, 
at the expense of the province, early in the ensuing spring. 

Discouraged and disconcerted by these events, Loudon relinquished all 
offensive operations, and disposed his troops for the defence of the frontier. 
Renewed efforts to increase his force were rendered abortive by the appear- 
ance of tlie small-pox at Albany. The troops which were on the march 
from New England, and the army at Lake George, were panic-struck by 
the iiTuption of an enemy more dreadful than the French ; and it became 
necessary to garrison all the posts with British troops, and to discharge the 
provincialists, excepting one regiment raised in New York. Thus termi- 
nated, for a second time, in defeat and utter disappointment, the sanguine 
hopes, fornjed by the colonists, of a brilliant and successful campaign. Much 
labour had been employed, and much money expended, in collecting, by 
land, from a great distance, troops, provisions, and military stores, at Alba- 
ny, and in transporting them through an almost unsettled country, to Lake 
George ; jet not an effort had been made to drive the invaders even from 
their ou'iposts at Ticonderoga. 

XXIX. The treaty with Teedyuscung, had neutralized the Delaware and 
ShaAvanese tribes on the Susquehanna, but the country was still exposed to 
the inroads of the French and western Indians, who, growing confident 
from the late disasters of the English, roamed, in small parties, avoiding or 
attacking the forts and armed provincialists, as they judged most safe. The 
counties of Cumberland, Lancaster, Berks, and Northampton, in Pennsyl- 
vania, and, occasionally, a part of Sussex, in New Jersey, were, during the 
spring and summer months of 1757, kept ih continual alarm, and some of 
the scalping parties penetrated to within thirty miles of Philadelphia. Many 
of these wretches paid with their lives, the just penalty of their temerity. 
But their sufferings were not comparable with those of the unfortunate in- 
habitants. Incessant anxiety pervaded every family in the districts we have 
named ; their slumber was broken by the yell of demons, or by dread of 
attack, scarce less hori'ible than their actual presence. The ground was 
ploughed, the seed sown, and the harvest gathered, under the fear of the 
tomahawk and rifle. Women visiting their sick neighbours, were shot or 
captured ; children, driving home cattle from the field, were killed and 
scalped; whilst the enemy, dastardly as cruel, shrunk from every equality 
of force. Many of the richest neighbourhoods were deserted, and property 
of every kind abandoned : extraordinary heroism was frequently displayed 
by men, women, and children, in defence of themselves and their homes, 
and in pursuit of, and combat with, the enemy. There was certainly great 
want of ability and energy in the constituted authorities, British and Provin- 
cial. United councils, and well directed efforts, would have driven the bar- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 127 

barians to their savage haunts, and repeated the chastisement, administered 
at Kittanning, until they sued for peace. The Assembly of New Jersey, 
however, was not regardless of the danger and sufferings of her frontier citi- 
zens, and kept on foot, for their protection, a body of rangers, consisting of 
one hundred and twenty men, under Captain Gardiner ; who, though they 
could not prevent occasional invasions of the foe, gave as much security to 
the frontier as circumstances would admit. 

XXX. Lord Loudon, in the middle of January, summoned the Governors of 
the New England provinces to New York. In no very good humour he attri- 
buted to them, the disasters of the late campaign. " Their enterprise against 
Crown Point," he said, " had not been timely communicated to the ministry; 
their troops were inferior to his expectations, disposed to insubordination, and 
'less numerous than had been promised ; the true state of the forts and gar- 
risons had not been reported to him, and the provincial Legislatures had 
given him votes, instead of men and money." He concluded this reprimand 
with a requisition for additional troops from New England, New York, and 
New Jersey. The spirit of the colonists, however, was not to be broken by 
misfortune, caused by the incapacity of the ministry of the parent state, and 
her delegated satraps, nor to be perverted by unmerited reproaches. His 
demands were, generally, complied with; and he was placed, in the spring, 
at the head of a respectable army, to tempt his fortune under his own star. 
The New England provinces exerted themselves greatly at this time, and 

■ authorized a draft, or conscription, should their quotas not be completed by 
^voluntary enlistment. The force required from New Jersey was one thousand 
men ; but the Assembly conceiving five hundred to be their full proportion, 
refused to do more than complete their regiment; and in an answer to the 
proposal of Governor Belcher, that they should, also, authorize a draft, they 
peremptorily declared by a Vote of 12, to 7, "that they were determined not 
to oblige or compel any of the inhabitants by force, to serve as soldiers." 

XXXI. The failures of the past year were attributed to the multiplied ob- 
jects of the campaign, and the consequent division of the forces. Unity of 
design, and concentration of the troops, it was presumed, would ensure suc- 
tess. It was therefore resolved, that Louisburg should be attacked; and 
Halifax was fixed as the rendezvous of the fleet and army. Early in July, 

^Admiral Holburn arrived there with a large squadron of ships and five thou- 

■•^sand land forces; and after many delays, was joined by Lord Loudon, with 
six thousand regulars. Much was properly anticipated from this formidable 
armament, but the procrastination of the commander-in-chief doomed the 

^ country to severe disappointment. For before his preparations were com- 
pleted, the French had occupied Louisburg with a superior force, despatched 

• from Brest, against which his lordship was not disi)osed to make an effort. 

XXXII. The enemy, however, was not slow to avail himself of the ad- 
' vantages which might accrue to him by the withdrawal of the British troops 

from the northern frontiers of New York. Montcalm, at the head of nine 
thousand men, drawn principally from Crown Point, Ticonderoga, and the 
neighbouring forts, witth some Canadians and Indians, invested Castle Wil- 
liam on the southern shore of Lake George. The place was garrisoned by 
three thousand men, including the unfortunate Jersey regiment, was well for- 
tified and su])plied with necessaries, but Colonel Monroe was compelled to 
surrender it witliin six days after its investment. Montcalm's triumph was 
' stained by the barbarities of his Indian allies, and though he exerted himself 
to protect his prisoners, the massacre of many of them will ever be coupled 
with his name. Major-general Webb made strenuous exertions to relieve 
the fort by arousing the militia of New York and New Jersey. From the 
latter province, one thousand men were despatched, and three thousand were 



128 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

put in readiness to march, should they be required. By these reinforcements 
he was enabled to hold Fort Edward, check the progress of the enemy, who 
retired when he had learned the return of Loudon to New York. The New 
Jersey regiment with other prisoners were released, and returned to New 
York under parole, not to serve again during eighteen months, and being thus 
rendered useless, were, at the instance of the Assembly, disbanded. This regi- 
ment, since the capture of Colonel Schuyler, had been commanded by Colo- 
nel Parker. 

XXXIII. On August 31, 1757, died Governor Jonathan Belcher, in the 76th 
year of his age. His health had been so infirm, during the preceding two 
years, that he summoned the Assembly to attend him at Elizabethtown, much 
to their dissatisfaction. The House seemed apprehensive of being made a mere 
satellite of the Executive, to revolve around him, in whatever sphere he chose 
to move, and they therefore attended Governors Morris and Belcher, even ^_ 
when illness prevented these officers from getting to Burlington, or to Amboy 
with great reluctance ; protesting at all times, that their acquiescence should 
not be drawn into precedent; and they explicitly refused to adjourn from 
Burlington to Trenton, on the request of his successor Mr. Readington, al- 
though his health also required this indulgence. 

Governor Belcher was a native of New England, and inherited, in early 
youth an abundant fortune, which enabled him to visit Europe, and to mingle 
extensively in good society, until lavish expenditure dissipated his wealth. 
He joined the popular side in the colony of Massachusetts, in the long con- 
test with Governor Burnet, on the question of fixing his salary, for an inde- 
finite time, and was sent as an agent of the Assembly to represent their 
views to the King. Upon the death of Governor Burnet he was appointed 
to succeed him, and then maintained the pretension of his predecessor, which 
he had been employed to repel, and with the like ill success. His adminis- 
tration at Boston was distinguished by his taste for ostentation, and his 
imperious deportment, and he finally so disgusted the influential men of that 
government, by rejecting several respectable persons nominated to the coun- 
cil, that they successfully united to effect his removal. He afterwards re- 
mained several years unemployed, until he was named to the government of 
New Jersey. " He was now advanced in age, yet lively, diligent in his sta- 
tion, and circumspect in his conduct, religious, generous and affable. He 
affected splendour, at least equal to his rank and fortune: but was a man of 
worth and honour, and though, in his last years under great debility of body 
from a stroke of the palsy, he bore up with firmness and resignation, and 
went through the business of his government, in the most difficult part of the 
war, with unremitting zeal in the duties of his office."* 

XXXIV. By the death of Mr. Belcher, the administration of the govern- 
ment again devolved on Mr. John Reading, the first named of the counsellors ; 
who being aged and infirm, at first refused, and finally assumed, its duties, 
with great reluctance. For the space of more than a month, the government 
was directed by the whole council, at whose instance, on the application of 
Lord Loudon, the Assembly voted one hundred rangers, to be employed on 
the frontiers during the winter season.f 

* Smith's Hist, of N. J. 438. 

t The captain of this company received six shillings, the lieutenants five, Ser- 
jeants four, corporals three and six pence, and the private soldier three shillings per 
day. And each officer and soldier was furnished at colonial expense, with a blanket, 
a half thick under jacket, a kersey jacket lapelled, buckskin breeches, two check 
shirts, two pair of shoes, two pair of stockings, a leather cap, and a hatchet; and 20 
shillings was allowed to the captain for each private he should enlist. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY, 139 



CHAPTER IX. 

Containing Events from the Presidency of Mr. Reading to the repeal of the Stamp 
Act — from the year 174C to the year 17G6. — I. Influence of Mr. Pitt and his 
Pohcy upon Colonial Affairs — New hopes infused into the Colonists. — II. Suc- 
cessful Attack of the EngUsh upon the Northern Forts. — III. Capture of Fort 
Du Quesne by General Forbes. — IV. Cheerful and ready aid of the Colonies. — 
V. New Jersey supplies one thousand Men, and builds Barracks for the King's 
Troops. — VI. President Reading superseded by the arrival of Governor Ber- 
nard — His treaty with the Indians — Succeeded by Thomas Boone — He, by Josiah 
Hardy — He, by William Franklin, the last of the Royal Governors. — VII. Effi- 
cient Preparations for the Campaign of 1759. — VIII. Conquest of the French 
Colonies in North America. — IX. Honourable share of the Provincialists in this 
Result. — X. Treaty of Peace with France and Spain. — .XI. New Confederacy and 
Hostilities of the Indians — Six hundred Troops raised by New Jersey. — XII. Im- 

.' pressions on the English Ministry, by the Wealth and Power displayed in Ame- 
rica. — XIII. Proposition of Mr. Grenville to tax the Colonies. — XIV. Conside- 
ration of the Principles relating to Colonial Taxation. — XV. Mr. Grenville 
commmunicates his purpose to the Colonial Agents in London. — XVI. Views 
taken by Colonies of this Proposition. — XVII. Propositions by several of the 
Colonies to raise Money, rejected by Mr. Grenville. — XVIII. Act of Parliament 
for Tax on Colonial Imports and Exports. — XIX. Effect of the Measures in 
America — Proceedings of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. — XX. Stamp Act 
passed — Its reception in the Colonies. — XXI. Temporary suspension of legal 
proceedings and of the publication of Newspapers. — XXII. Anti-Importation 

"" Associations. — XXIII. Organization of the ^^ Sons of Liberty." — XXIV. Proposi- 
' tion of Massachusetts for assembling a Congress of Deputies from the Colonies — 
Action of New Jersey on this proposition. — XXV. Proceedings of the Con- 
gress — Messrs. Ruggles of Massachusetts, and Ogden of New Jersey, refuse to join 
in a General Petition. — XXVI. The Assembly of New Jersey approve the Pro- 
ceedings of Congress — adopts Resolutions condemnatory of tlie Stamp Act. — 
XXVII. Efforts in England for Repeal of the Stamp Act. — XXIX. Inquiry be- 
fore the House of Commons — Repeal of the Stamp Act. 

I. With the opening of the year 1758, a new era dawned upon the colo- 
nies, which were roused from a state of apathy by the voice of William Pitt. 
The enterpri.se, judgment, and firmness, which had raised England from the 
depths of humility, were now employed for the reduction of the American 
continent. The plan of the campaign was wisely matured, and committed 
for execution, to men who had reputations to lose and fortunes to gain. 
Loudon was recalled. Abercrombie commanded in chief, with Amherst for 
his second, aided by Brigadiers Wolfe and Forbes. The fleet, consisting 
altogether of one hundred and fifty sail, was commanded by Bo.scawen. 

I!. The designated objects of the campaign were Louisburg, the forts on 
the lakes, and Fort du Quesne. Major-general Amherst, with twelve thou- 
sand men, aided by the fleet, laid siege to the first, early in June; and cap- 
tured it, after an obstinate defence of seven weeks. General Abercrombie, 
with seven thousand regulars and ten thousand colonial troops, undertook 
the expedition against the northern forts. He first attempted that at Ticon- 
deroga, which had been reared by the French in 1756, on the narrow neck 
of land dividing Lake George from Lake Champlain. Its position, strong 
by nature, was well secured by art, and by a garrison of five thousand men. 
Relying on his superior force, the British general made his attack without 
artillery, which, from the badness of the roads, could not keep pace with the 
army. He was repulsed with the loss of two thousand men, chiefly killed; 
among whom were Brigadier- general Lord Howe, and many other officers 
of distinction. Though still superior to the enemy, he made a hasty retreat; 
R 



130 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

but compensated for this ill-timed prudence, by the capture of Fort Fron- 
tignac, situate on the north side of the river St. Lawrence, at its entrance 
from Lake Ontario ; commanding the river, and serving as a magazine for 
the more southern castles. The garrison consisted of one hundred and ten 
men only ; but the fort contained a large stock of arms, stores, and provi- 
sions for the western posts. Nine armed vessels, some of which carried 
eighteen guns, were also taken. The enterprise was projected and executed 
by Lieutenant-colonel Bradstreet. 

III. The reduction of Fort Du Quesne was confided to Brigadier-general 
Forbes, with a detachment from General Abercrombie's army, strengthened 
by the southern militia; the whole computed at seven thousand eight hun- 
dred and fifty men.* He began his march from Carlisle in the middle of 
July, to join Colonel Bouquet at Raystown ; who, with two thousand five 
hundred men, was advanced to Loyal Hanna, fifty miles further to the west- I 
ward. The march of the main body was delayed until September, in con- 
sequence of the difficulty in pi-ocuring carriages and military stores, and of 
the tardiness with which the orders to the Virginia regulars, under Colonel 
Washington, had been given. In the mean time. Major Grant was detached 
by Bouquet, with eight hundred men, to reconnoitre the fort and adjacent 
country. He was attacked, surrounded by the enemy, and lost above three 
hundred men, killed and taken, and was himself among the prisoners ; the 
remainder retired in great confusion. f Colonel Bouquet still continuing at 
Loyal Hanna, the enemy resolved to attack him, in his camp. A force, esti- 
mated at twelve hundred French, and two hundred Indians, commanded by 
De Vetri, assailed him on the eleventh of October with great vivacity, but 
was compelled to draw off" with considerable loss, after a warm combat of 
four hours. A second attack was made during the night, but some shells 
thrown from the camp compelled them to retreat. The loss of Colonel ' 
Bouquet amounted to sixty-seven rank and file, killed and wounded. Upon 
the twenty-third or twenty-fourth of October, General Forbes proceeded from 
Raystown to Loyal Hanna. He continued there until the seventeenth of ^ 
November. On the twelfth of that month Colonel Washington, being out • 
with a scouting party, fell in with a number of the enemy about three miles 
from the camp, whom he attacked, killing one, and taking three prisoners : 
among the latter was one Johnson, an Englishman, who had been captured ■ 
by the Indians in Lancaster county, from whom was derived full and correct 
information of the state of the garrison at Du Quesne. A most unfortunate 
occurrence happened to the provincials upon this occasion. The fire of ' 
Washington's party being heard at the camp, Colonel Mercer, with a num- 
ber of Virginians, were sent to his assistance. The two parties approach- 
ing, in the dusk of the evening, reciprocally mistook each other for enemies ; 
a number of shot was exchanged, by which a lieutenant and thirteen or four- 
teen Virginians were killed. On the thirteenth of November, a force of one, 
thousand men, under Colonel John Armstrong, was pushed forward, and the , 
general followed on the seventeenth, with four thousand three hundred effec- 
tive men, leaving strong garrisons at Raystown and Loyal Hanna. For 
want of practicable roads, the whole march was tedious and difhcult — the 
advance of ten miles a-day being deemed extraordinary progress. The 

* 350 Royal Americans; four companies. 

1200 Highlanders ; thirteen companies. 

2600 Virginians. 

2700 Pennsylvanians. 

1000 Wagoners, sutlers, and followers of the army. 

Penn. Gazette, 1758, No. 1553. 
t 14th September. ' 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 131 

army was greatly afflicted by sickness, and weakened by desertion. Ne- 
glecting the road formerly cut by Braddock over the mountains, General 
Forbes opened a new one, by which he approached the tort. The capture 
of Frontignac, and the defection of the Indians from the French interest, had 
already prepared the way for his success. The garrison of Fort Du Quesne, 
unsustained by their savage allies, and hopeless of reinforcements, the Cana- 
dian force lately engaged at Loyal Hanna having retired, held the place, 
only, until the approach of the English army should justify its abandonment. 
Accordingly, on the twenty-fourth of November, when Forbes was within a 
day's march of the fort, they burned and abandoned it, and escaped, by the 
Ohio I'iver, to the French settlements upon the Mississippi. The ruined fortifi- 
cations were seized by the English, on the next day, and, being hastily repaired, 
were garrisoned by four hundred and fifty men, chiefly provincial troops, 
from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, under the command of Colonel 
Mercer. The remainder of the army was marched into the interior, and 
quartered at Lancaster, Reading, and Philadelphia. 

IV. In the preparations of the colonies for this campaign, we have new 
evidence of the power which an energetic spirit, directed by wisdom, may 
obtain, over the mass of mankind. The contributions of the provinces, to- 
wards carrying on the continental war, had, for the last campaigns, been 
merely the cold returns of duty ; but in this, the people displayed all the zeal 
with which men pursue their interests, when animated by well founded hopes 
of success. Their combined forces, they were now assured, would be ap- 
plied to remove the enemy from the frontiers ; and instead of being required 
to furnish a specific quota of troops, each colony was directed to raise as 
large a force as was in its power, with the greatest possible despatch. To 
render such force effective, Mr. Pitt recommended to the respective gover- 
nors, to commission popular men for officers, and in bestowing military ap- 
pointments, to have regard, solely, to the public service. Arms, ammuni- 
tion, tents, and provisions, were to be furnished by the crown; and the 
expense of levying, clothing, and pay, was to be borne by the provinces. 
But, even these charges, he promised to recommend the Parliament to pay, 
as the vigour and efforts of the provinces should merit. 

V. Thus inspirited, the Assembly of New Jersey, instead of raising, re- 
luctantly, five hundred men, doubled that number ; and to fill the ranks, in 
season, offered a bounty of twelve pounds, per man ; increased the pay of the 
officers, and voted a sum of fifty thousand pounds, for their maintenance. 
They, at the same sessions, directed barracks to be built at Burlington, 
Trenton, New Brunswick, Amboy, and Elizabethtown, competent, each, for 
the accommodation of three hundred men. Nor, did the Assembly fail to 
remark, on the constitutional method they had been called on to give 
assistance to the common cause; being left at liberty to furnish to the 
crown, what their own ability and. sense of the occasion required. This 
complement of one thousand men, New Jersey kept up, during the years 
1758, 1759, and 1760; and in the years 1761 and 1762, furnished six hun- 
dred men, beside in the latter year, a company of sixty-four men and officers, 
especially, for garrison duty; for which she incurred an average expense of 
forty thousand pounds per annum. 

VI. On the 13th of June, 1758, President Reading was superseded by the 
arrival of Francis Bernard, Esq., who continued to govern the province, in 
unbroken harmony with the Legislature, until the 4th of July, 1760. The 
principal service rendered by this gentleman, was the aid he gave in the 
pacification of the Indians, at the treaty of Easton, in October, 1758, of 
which we have spoken fully elsewhere. Upon his transfer to Massachusetts, 
he was succeeded by Thomas Boone, who continued little more than a year ; 



132 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

being removed to South Carolina, and his place in New Jersey supplied by 
Josiah Hardy. Upon his dismissal, and appointment to the consulate at 
Cadiz, came in, William Franklin, the son of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, the 
last of the colonial governors. Thus, in the space of five years, New Jersey 
had seen five governors appointed by the crown. This frequent change 
proved very unacceptable to the colony, which was fully content with the 
three first we have named; and would have been satisfied to have spared the 
repeated gift of five hundred pounds, usually made to the new governor, on 
his arrival, in consideration of the expense and trouble of his voyage. To 
Governor Franklin this present was not made. But as the cost of living had 
considerably increased by the diminution of the value of money, consequent 
on the increased amount of the circulating medium, during the war, the 
Assembly added two hundred pounds to the annual salary, making it twelve 
hundred pounds. 

VII. Great Britain, having resolved to annihilate the French power in 
North America, made adequate preparations for the campaign of 1759. An 
army of eight thousand men, under General Wolfe, was destined to attack 
Quebec; whilst General Amherst, with 12,000 regular and provincial troops, 
should reduce the forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, cross Lake Cham- 
plain, and by the rivers Richelieu and St. Lawrence, join Wolfe; and General 
Frideaux, assisted by Sir William Johnson, at the head of some friendly 
Indians, should capture the fort at the falls of Niagara, and proceed by Lake 
Ontario and Monti'eal, to unite with the other generals. To General Stan- 
wix, was confided the southern department, with orders to watch the western 
frontier, and to erect proper forts for its defence. 

VIII. This stupendous plan was, only, partly carried into execution. 
Quebec was purchased with the life of the gallant Wolfe. General Amherst 
obtained possession of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, but too late in the 
season, to permit him to accomplish the remainder of the plan assigned to 
him. General Prideaux invested Niagara, but was slain in the trenches by 
the bursting of a cohort. The fort was, however, captured by Sir William 
Johnson, who succeeded him in the command. It was not until September 
of the succeeding year, that the great object was entirely gained ; when, by 
the union of three British armies, before Montreal, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, 
was compelled to surrender, by capitulation, the whole of the French posses- 
sions to his Britannic Majesty. 

Thus fell the great power of France in America. Possessed of the northern 
and southern parts of the continent, her encroachments became formidable 
to the British American empire, which she sought to confine, to a narrow 
slip of sea-coast. She thus brought upon her the united power of England 
and her colonies, which she baffled, when feebly directed; but which was 
iri'esistible in the hands of a wise and energetic minister. 

IX. The share of the provincials in this result, gives lustre to the colonial 
history of the American States. They had kept in the field an average force 
of twenty-five thousand men during the war; had lost thirty thousand of 
their young men, and contributed three millions five hundred thousand 
pounds sterling, to the payment of its expenses.* Four hundred privateers,- 
from their ports, ravaged the French West India islands, and distressed the 
commerce of France, in all parts of the world. Their troops preserved the 
remains of the army wrecked by the folly of Braddock ; and under Monckton, 
captured Beau Sejour, in Nova Scotia. Commanded by Sir William John- 
son, they destroyed th(; army of Baron Dicskau ; and subsequently reduced 
Fort Niagara, one of tlie most important posts on the continent. The merit'l 

* Of this Kum, Parliament reimbursed at several times, £1,031,666 sterling. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 133 

of these actions, is ascribable to them, solely. In all the marches and battles 
they were principal sufferers ; and wliere honour was to be gained, the pro- 
vincial was distinguished, by his fortitude in adversity, and his promptitude 
and courage in the hour of peril. 

X. Spain became party to the war, in January, 1772; but the conflict 
against the united house of Bourbon, was not of long continuance; peace 
being made with France and Spain, on the 3d of November, of the same year. 
We are interested in the terms of the treaty, so far only, as they affected the 
colonies. France surrendered her pretensions to Nova Scotia, and ceded 
Canada, including Louisiana. Spain yielded Florida. In exchange for this 
mighty domain, France received the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, near 
Newfoundland, with a restricted privilege of the fishery, and the islands of 
Martinique, Guadaloupe, Mariegalante, Deseada, and St. Lucia. — Spain 
obtained the restoration of the Havana — a price, more than adequate for 
Florida, which would not have been paid, but with the design of preserving 
the eastern shore of North America, from foreign influence. 

XI. In exclusive possession of this immense territory, comprehending 
nearly one-fifth of the globe. Great Britain and her colonies rationally looked 
forward, to its peaceful enjoyment, in full confidence, that the aboriginal 
inhabitants, no longer 'exposed to dangerous solicitations, nor supported by 
alien power, would not dare to provoke the resentment of those upon whom 
they must entirely depend, for the gratifications supplied by the whites. But 
the cupidity of the savage had been highly excited, during the late conflict, 

.and as deeply indulged. The present unprotected state of the frontier, 
held forth irresistible temptations to his whetted appetite for plunder. His 
barbarities had been rather rewarded than chastised. Every treaty brought 
him rich presents; and his detention of prisoners, whom he had again 
and again promised to surrender, was overlooked, on slight apologies; 
though, obviously, done to afford opportunities for new treaties and additional 
gifts. But, we must, perhaps, look deeper, for the cause of the wide extend- 
ed confederacy, which now took place among the aborigines, and which may 
have been dictated by profound policy. They beheld the French driven out 
of the whole country, and themselves in danger of becoming wholly depen- 
dent upon a power, which already commanded by its forts, the great lakes 

, and rivers ; and they may have felt, that an immediate and mighty effort 
was necessary to restrain the tide, which, if unimpeded, would spread itself 
over the continent, overwhelming all their nations in its course. 

A secret coalition was formed among the Shawanese, the tribes upon the 
Ohio, and its tributary waters, and about Detroit, to attack, simultaneously, 
the English posts and settlements, upon the frontier. The plan was delibe- 
rately and skilfully projected. The settlements were to be invaded during 
harvest ; the inhabitants, with their corn and cattle, to be destroyed ; and the 
outposts to be reduced by famine. The Indians fell, suddenly, upon the 
traders, whom they had invited among them, murdered many, and plundered 
the effects of all, to an immense amount. The frontiers of Pennsylvania, 
Maryland and Virginia, were overrun by scalping parties, committing their 
usual enormities. The out-forts, even the most remote, were assailed about 
the same time ; and all, immediately, fell into the hands of the enemy, save 
Niagara, Detroit, and Fort Pitt, which, being larger and better garrisoned, 
were enabled to stand a longer siege. 

As, in the preceding Indian contest, the frontier inhabitants were driven in, 
and the enemy again penetrated into the thickly settled country; but more 

, skill and courage were generally displayed in resisting them. Niagara and 
Detroit were protected by detachments sent to their relief by General Am- 
herst, whilst Colonel Bouquet, after much fatigue and a bloody battle, sue- 



134 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

ceeded in succouring Fort Pitt. These distressing hostilities continued until 
October, 1764, when they were terminated by Col. Bouquet, who, with fifteen 
hundred men, overran the Indian country in Ohio, compeUing the submission 
of the tribes, and releasing many white prisoners. The Indians, soon after, 
entered into a final and satisfactory ti-eaty with Sir William Johnson, who 
was authorized for that purpose, by the crown. 

Governor Franklin, on the approach of the savages to the western fron- 
tier of New Jersey, ordered out the militia, remanned the fortifications 
which had been formerly erected, and built several new block-houses. Yet 
some parties of Indians crossed the Delaware, made their way through the 
lines, and massacred several families. On the meeting of the House, 15th of 
November, he recommended them to provide six hundred men, at the request 
of General Amherst, to unite with other forces to invade the Indian country, 
and to provide more effectually for defence of their own limits. The latter, 
the House undertook, directing two hundred men to be raised for this pur- 
pose, and appropriating ten thousand pounds for their support; but they de- 
clined to furnish troops for general operations, until a general plan should be 
formed, and a requisition should be made for aid to the other colonies. At 
their next subsequent session, however, they passed a bill for raising six hun- 
dred men, on condition, that a majority of the eastern colonies should come 
into the requisition ; and when this bill was rejected by the council, and the 
governor prorogued the House, in order to give them an opportunity to bring 
in another, they authorized the force required, provided New York should con- 
tribute her full proportion. In this shape the bill passed, and the troops 
joined the northern army. 

XII. The great pecuniary advances of the colonies, in the late wars, dis- 
covered to the ministry of 'Great Britain, a mine of wealth, whose existence 
they had not hitherto suspected ; and with the knowledge came an inexpres- 
sible longing to subject this wealth to the use of the parent state. But no good 
genius whispered, that, there existed, also, the spirit, as well as the means, to 
maintain the political freedom which had been, at once, the source of riches 
and of colonial happiness. It was supposed, that, if in a few years, these long 
neglected and distant provinces could pay, without apparent inconvenience, 
millions for defence, they might, also, be compelled to pay millions for tribute. 

XIII. On this assumption, Mr. Grenville, first commissioner of the treasury, 
flattered himself that he might establish a high financial character, in reliev- 
ing his country by the taxation of her provinces. To a superficial observer, 
few obstacles were apparent in such a course. Parliament had frequently 
imposed duties upon the colonial trade ; which, as a part of a general system, 
for regulating the commerce of the empire, had been patiently borne. But, 
no attempt had been, hitherto, made, avowedly, to raise a revenue from the 
colonies, for the use of the British treasury. 

XIV. Upon the principles which have governed modern colonization, the 
colony is dependent, either upon the parent state, or upon its chief, as a dis- 
tinct apanage or property. The first case was, that of the colonies of most 
of the European states. The second, characterized those of Spain ; the king- 
doms of Mexico, Peru, &c., being long considered as connected with those of 
Castile and Arragon, through the monarch alone, who was the king of each, • 
respectively. A different view, however, was taken in relation to these, by,- 
the Cortes, in framing the constitution of 1820, when, as integral parts of the 
Spanish empire, they were admitted to representation in the national coun- 
cils. The English colonies held their connexion with Great Britain, to be ] 
somewhat similar to that which had prevailed between Spain and her pro-/ 
vinces; claiming, however, for their governments, the important and cha- 
racteristic principle, which animated the polity of the parent state, that the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 135 

people should have a potential voice, in legislation, through their representa- 
tives. This theory was universal, but the practice was variously modified ; 
the Legislative power, being more or less exercised by the people, according 
to the provisions of the several charters from the crown. One right, how- 
ever, which controlled all others — the right of the purse, was every where 
held sacred to the people; and though the crown might create an almost in- 
evitable necessity of disbursement, it could not without the form, at least, of 
popular volition, take money from the pockets of the people.* 

The right of the Parliament to legislate, generally, for the colonies had not 
been questioned since the year 1692, when Massachusetts and New York 
denied it by acts of their Legislatures.! These laws were annulled in England; 
and in 1698 Parliament declared, that "all laws, by-laws, usages and cus- 
toms, which shall be in practice, in any of the plantations, repugnant to any 
law made, or to be made, in this kingdom, relative to the said plantations, 
shall be void and of none effect." 

By the charter of Charles II, to Penn, the right of Parliament to lay duties 
on imports and exports, and to impose taxes or customs on the inhabitants of 
Pennsylvania, their lands, goods and chattels was clearly reserved. In 1739, 
Sir William Keith, in conjunction with some American merchants, proposed 
to raise troops for the western frontier, to be supported by a duty laid by 
Parliament on stamped paper and parchment, in all the colonies. But the 
subject was then too inconsiderable to claim the attention of the government. 
When efforts were made to unite the colonies in 1754, a plan for colonial tax- 
ation was suggested ; but the ministers finding the colonies averse to their 
views, did not venture to press it on the eve of a war, in which the cordial 
and undivided exertions of the whole nation were required.:}: 

A more favourable occasion seemed now to present itself. The war which 
had grown out of American interests, had been honourably terminated, and it 
was supposed, that the provinces, grateful for their deliverance, would cheer- 
fully repay the care of a fostering mother. Nor would such anticipations 
have been disappointed, had the designs of the ministry no other consequences 
than a single pecuniary burden upon the people. 

XV. Towards the end of the year 1763, Mr. Grenville communicated to 
the colonial agents in London, his purpose of drawing a revenue from Ame- 
rica, by means of a stamp duty to be imposed by Act of Parliament, and di- 
rected them to transmit this intelligence to their respective Assemblies, that 
they might suggest any more preferable duty, equally productive.^ The fol- 
lowing view, briefly exhibited, was then taken of this subject, by all the 
provmces. 

XVI. The colonies were considered as integral governments, of which the 
crown was the head, having exclusive political powei* within their respective 
territories, except in cases involving the general interests of the empire, in 
which, from principles of convenience and necessity, they admitted the su- 
premacy of the British Parliament. On these principles, they had submitted 
to the general regulations of commerce, however restrictive of their exertions 
at home and abroad ; and where the letter of the law pressed heavily on their 

* By the Concessions of Berkeley and Carteret, and also of the West Jersey proprie- 
tors, it was provided, "that the governor and council are not to impose, or suffer to be 
imposed, any tax, custom, or subsidy, tollage, assessments, or any other duty whatso- 
ever, upon any colour or pretence, how specious soever, upon the said province, and 
inliabitants tliereof, without their own consent, first had, or other than what shall be 
imposed by the authority and consent of the General Assembly." 

t Smith's N. Y. 75, 7('i. 

i Marshall's Life of Washington. 

§ One hundred thousand pounds sterling, was the sum required by Mr. Grenville. 



136 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

natural rights, murmurs were seldom heard, as such acts were not rigidly en- 
forced. The mode of drawing aid from the colonists accorded with these 
pi'inciples. The sovereign having well considered the occasion, in his privy 
council, directed his secretary of state to apply to each colony through its 
governor, to grant him such sums as were suitable to its ability. And as the 
colonies had always made liberal grants on such requisitions, the proposition 
to tax them in Parliament, was unnecessary, cruel, and unjust. Unjust, be- 
cause it was diametrically opposite to the letter and spirit of their constitu- 
tions, which had established as a fundamental axiom, that taxation and 
representation are inseparable, and that as the colonies were not, and from 
local and political obstacles could not be, represented in the British Parlia- 
ment, it would be the very essence of tyranny to attempt to exercise an 
authority over them, which, from its nature, must inevitably lead to gross 
abuse. For, when in absolute possession of the power now claimed, could 
it be imagined, that Pai-liament would not rather vote away the money of the 
colonists, than of their constituents? By the constitution, their business in 
matters of aid was with the King alone ; they had no connexion with any 
financier, nor were the provincial agents the proper persons through whom 
requisitions should be made. For these reasons, it was improper for the pro- 
vinces to make propositions to Mr. Grenville, in relation to taxes, especially, 
as the notice he had sent, did not appear to have been by the King's order, 
" and was perhaps without his knowledge."* 

XVII. These views certainly did not proceed from a desire to avoid con- 
tribution, in relief of the public wants. Several of the colonial Legislatures 
declared, " that as they always had thought, so they always should think, it 
their duty to grant aid to the crown." Copies of these votes were presented 
to Mr. Grenville, and an opportunity was thus offered to him, to raise by 
constitutional means, more than a compulsory tax would produce. But he 
had resolved on measures, which should establish the absolute supremacy 
of Parliament over the provinces, and open the way for its unrestrained 
exercise. 

XVIII. When forming his plan of American taxation, Mr. Grenville cer- 
tainly did not apprehend all its consequences. But, aware that it would be 
opposed, he was desirous of trying an old measure under a new aspect, and 
proposed, in distinct terms, to raise a revenue, by taxes on colonial imports. 
This measure, sufficiently obnoxious in itself, was accompanied by a resolu- 
tion of Parliament, " that it may be proper to charge certain stamp duties in 
the colonies." The act of Parliament, based on the first proposition, was 
extremely onerous to the American trade ; the duties thereby imposed amount- 
ing almost to a prohibition of commercial intercourse with the French and 
Spanish colonies. f It is true, that this trade, previous to the passage of the 
act of which we now speak, was unlawful ; but it was connived at, and was 

* Votes of the Assemblies of the several colonies. Franklin's Letters, March 8th, 
1770. Provincial Remonstrances. Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. ii. 68, &c. 

t This act was entitled, " An act for granting certain duties in the British colonies 
and plantations, in America, for continuing, amending, and making perpetual, an act •, 
passed in the sixth year of the reign of his late Majesty, King George the Second, 
(entitled, an act for the better securing and encouraging the trade of his Majesty's sugar 
colonies in America,) for applying the produce of such duties, and of the duties to arise 
by virtue of the said act, towards defraying the expenses of defending, protecting and 
securing the said colonies and plantations, for explaining an act, made in the twenty-fifth 
year of the reign of King Charles the Second, (entitled, an act for the encouragement of . ' 
the Greenland and Eastland trades, and for the better securing the plantation trade,) 
and for allowing and disallowing, several drawbacks on exports, from this kingdom, 
and those effectually preventing the clandestine conveyance of goods, to and from the 
said colonies and plantations, and improving and securing the trade between the same 
and Great Britain." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 137 

highly profitable ; furnishing to the provinces, gold and silver for their re- 
mittances to England. The minister, in his care to prevent smuggling, did 
not pause to consider the difference between an advantageous trade in the 
western hemisphere, and the illicit commerce on the British coast. Con- 
verting naval officers into officers of the customs, he nearly destroyed the 
whole colonial trade with the Spanish and French islands. The preamble 
to the new impost law, declaring it to be just and necessary, that a revenue 
should be raised in America, and the resolution to follow it up, with a stamp 
act, gave an unequivocal and odious character to the law, and sent it forth 
to the colonies, the pioneer of a system of boundless oppression. 

The revenue act became still more unpopular, by the means used to en- 
force it. The penalties for breach of its provisions, were made recoverable in 
the courts of admiralty, without the intervention of a jury, before judges 
dependent upon the crown, and drawing their salaries from forfeitures, ad- 
judged by themselves. The duties were required to be paid in gold and 
silver, now scarce attainable, and consequently, the paper currency, more 
than ever necessary, was rejected and depreciated. 

XIX. The impression, caused by these measures on the public mind, was 
uniform throughout America. The Legislature of Massachusetts, whose 
population, essentially commercial, felt most severely the late restrictions, 
was the first to notice them. That body resolved, " That the act of Parlia- 
ment relating to the sugar trade with foreign colonies, and the resolution of 
the House of Commons, in regard to stamp duties, and other taxes proposed 
to be laid on the colonies, had a tendency to deprive the colonists of their 
most essential rights, as British subjects, and as men — particularly, the right 
of assessing their own taxes, and of being free from any impositions, but 
such as they consented to, by themselves or representatives." They direct- 
ed Mr. Mauduit, their agent in London, to remonstrate against the ministe- 
rial measures, to solicit a repeal of the sugar act, and to deprecate the impo- 
sition of further duties and taxes on the colonies. They addressed the As- _ 
semblies of the other provinces, requesting them to unite in a petition against 
the designs of the ministry, and to instruct their agents to remonstrate 
against attempts so destructive to the liberty, the commerce and prosperity, 
of the colonies. The colony of Rhode Island, proposed to the provincial 
assemblies, to collect the sense of all the colonies, and to unite in a common 
petition to the King and Parliament. 

XX. All the efforts of the American colonies to stay the mad career of the 
English ministry, proved unavailing. The stamp act was passed, with slight 
opposition, by the Commons, and unanimity by the Lords.* Dr. Franklin, 
who had been despatched to Europe, in November, 1764, as the agent of 
Pennsylvania, laboured earnestly to avert a measure, which his sagacity and 
perfect knowledge of the American people, taught him was pregnant with 
danger, to the British empire. But, even he does not appear to have enter- 
tained the idea, that it would be forcibly resisted. He wrote to Mr. Charles 
Thompson, " The sun of liberty is set, you must light up the candles of in- 
dustry and economy." To which Mr. Thompson replied, " He was appre- 
hensive that other lights would be the consequence." To Mr. Ingersol, the 
agent of Connecticut, the doctor said, " Go home, and tell your people to get 
children as fast as they can." Intimating that the period for successful re- 

t [ sistance had not yet arrived. 

1 1 

* The stamp act was passed on the 22d of March, 1705. It was under the conside- 
ration of ParHament, in March, of the foregoing year, but was postponed, it was said, 
J by the exertions of Mr. Allen, chief-justice of Pennsylvania, at, that time on a visit to 
'< j London. 

' s 



138 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The ministry, desirous to render the stamp act as little obnoxious as pos- 
sible, resolved to appoint the officers of distribution and collection, from 
among the discreet and reputable inhabitants of the provinces. But, there 
were no means, by which to reconcile the people to a law, every where re- 
garded as the forerunner of political slavery. The stamp officers, either 
voluntarily or compulsorily resigned their offices ; some were hung or buried 
in effigy, in several of the provinces, and violent outrages were committed , 
on the person and property of the deputy-governor, and other officers, at ■ 
Boston. William Coxe, Esq., who had been appointed stamp officer, for . 
New Jersey, voluntarily resigned his office in September, 1765. Subse- 
quently, upon the application of the Sons of Liberty, of East Jersey, he pub- 
lished a copy of his letter of resignation, which had been made to the com- 
missioners of the treasury ; and declared that he had appointed no deputy, 
and would never act under the law. Towards the end of November, a' 
number of the inhabitants of Salem county, learning that a Mr. John Hatton 
was desirous to be employed in the distribution of stamps, compelled him to 
a similar declaration. 

On Saturday, the 5th of October, the ship Royal Charlotte, bearing the 
stamped papers for Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, convoyed by a 
stoop of war, arrived at Philadelphia. As these vessels rounded Gloucester 
Point, all those in the harbour hoisted their colours, at half mast ; the bells 
were muffled, and every countenance assumed the semblance of affliction. 
At four o'clock, in the afternoon, many thousand citizens assembled at the 
state house, to consider of the means for preventing the distribution of the 
stamps. Their deliberations resulted in forcing Mr. Hughes, the stamp ' 
officer, most reluctantly, to decline the exercise of his office, and in securing . 
the stamps on board his Majesty's sloop of war. Sardine. 

XXI. The universal refusal of the colonists to submit to the stamp act, 
occasioned the entire suspension of legal proceedings. In some of the pro- ■ 
vinces, however, business was speedily resumed; and in nearly all, the 
penalties of the act were braved before its repeal. The members of the bar 
in New Jersey, met about the middle of February, 1766, at New Bruns- 
wick, to consider of the propriety of continuing their practice; and being 
waited on by a deputation of the Sorts of Liberty, who expressed their dis- 
satisfaction at the suspension of law proceedings, they determined, at all 
hazards, to recommence business on the first of the ensuing April. At the 
same time, deputies from the same self-constituted regulators of public 
affairs, waited on Mr. White, prothonotary of the county of Hunterdon, who 
was induced by their polite and energetic instances, to promise that his office 
should be reopened at the same period. By law, the stamp duty was to- 
commence on the first of November. On the previous day, the newspapers, 
generally, were put in mourning for their approaching extinction ; the editors 
having resolved to suspend their publication, until some plan should be de- 
vised to protect them from the penalties for publishing without stamps. The 
term of suspension, however, was short. On the 7th of November, a simi- 
sheet issued from the office of the Pennsylvania Gazette, without title or 
mark of designation, headed, " iVo stamped paper to be had;'''' and on the': 
14th, another, entitled '^Remarkable Occurrences.^^ Both were in form of 
the gazette, which, after the 21st, was again regularly published.* 

XXII. " To interest the people of England against the measures of admin- ■ 
istration, associations were formed in every part of the continent, for the 
encouragement of domestic manufactures, and against the use of those im- 
ported from Great Britain. To increase their quantity of wool, they deter- 

* Pennsylvania Gazette. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 139 

mined to kill no lambs, and to use all the means in their power, to multiply 
their flocks of sheep. 

XXIII. While this determined and systematic opposition was made by 
the thinking part of the community, there were some riotous and disor- 
derly proceedings, especially in the large towns, which threatened serious 
consequences. Many houses were destroyed, much property injured, and 
several persons, highly respectable in character and station, grossly 
abused. These violences received no countenance from the leading mem- 
bers of society; but it was extremely difficult to stimulate the mass of 
the people, to that vigorous and persevering opposition, which was deemed 
essential to the presei'vation of American liberty, and yet to restrain all those 
excesses, which disgrace, and often defeat, the wisest measures. In Con- 
necticut and New York, originated an association of persons, styling them- 
selves the " Sons of Liberty" which extended into New Jersey, and other 
colonies; who bound themselves, among other things, to march to any part 
of the continent, at their own expense, to support the British constitution in 
America; by which, was expressly stated to be understood, the prevention 
of any attempt, which might any where be made, to carry the stamp act 
into opei'ation. A corresponding committee of these sons of liberty was 
established, who addressed letters to certain conspicuous characters, 
throughout the colonies, and contributed materially to increase the spirit 
of opposition, and perhaps the turbulence, with which it was in some places 
attended.* 

XXIV. On receipt of intelligence of the passage of the stamp act, several 
of the colonial Legislatures, of which Virginia was the first, asserted the ex- 
clusive right of the Assemblies to lay taxes and impositions on the inhabi- 
tants of the colonies, respectively. But the House of Representatives of 
Massachusetts, contemplating a still more solemn and effectual expression of 
the general sentiment, and pursuing the suggestion of Rhode Island, recom- 
mended a Congress of deputies from all the colonial Assemblies, to meet at 
New York, on the first Tuesday in October, to consult on the present cir- 
cumstances of the colonies. Circular letters, signed by the speaker, com- 
municating this recommendation, were addressed, respectively, to the speakers 
of the Assemblies in the other provinces. Wherever the Legislatures were 
in session, this communication was immediately acted upon. 

It was laid before the Assembly of New Jersey, (20th June, 1765) on the 
last day of the session, when the House was thin; and the members, as Go- 
vernor Franklin asserts, determined " unanimously, after deliberate consi- 
deration, against connecting on that occasion;'''' and directed a letter to be 
written at the table, to the speaker of Massachusetts Bay, acquainting him 
with their determination. The House, at a subsequent session, question,"}" but 

* Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. i. 

t June 27th, 1766. The staternent of the Assembly is curious, and evidently betrays 
a design to make the best of a circumstance, with the remembrance of which, they 
were not very content. They say, " This House acknowledges the letter from the 
Massachusetts Bay ; that it was on the last day of the session, some members gone, 
others uneasy to be at their homes ; and do assert, that, the then speaker agreed to 
send, nay urged, that members should be sent to the intended Congress ; but changed 
his opinion upon some advice that was given to him; that this sudden change of his 
opinion displeased many of the House, who seeing the matter dropped, were indif- 
ferent about it; and as no minute was made, and no further notice taken of it, the 
House is at a loss to determine whence his excellency could get the information, that 
the House took the same into ' deliberate consideration,^ determined (as his excellency 
Bays, from their own words) ' unanimousbj against connecting on that occasioyi:' they 
have recollected the whole transaction, carefully examined their minutes, and can 
find nothing like it inserted therein; an answer to the Massachusetts letter was writ- 
ten, and if the expressions his excellency mentions, were made use of, in it, this 
House is at a loss to know how they are accountable for it, when it does not appear 



140 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

do not disprove this statement. But, this determination was so highly con- 
demned by tlicir constituents, that the speaker found it necessary, in order to 
avoid the indignation of the people, and to preserve the public peace, to con- 
vene the members by circulars, at Amboy , and with them to proceed to the " 
nomination of delegates to the Convention of New York, consisting of Mr. 
Robert Ogden, the speaker, Mr. Hendrick Fisher, and Mr. Joseph Borden. 
This measure was severely reprehended by the governor, and was the cause 
of an angry contention between him and the Assembly. 

XXV. Delegates fi'om the Assemblies of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, 
and South Carolina, assembled at New York at the time appointed. New 
Hampshire, Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina were not represented; 
but the two former gave assurances of their disposition to unite in petitions 
to the King and Parliament. The Assemblies of the two latter not having 
been in session, since the pi'oposition for a Congress had been made, had no 
opportunity to act upon the subject. 

This Congress adopted a declaration of rights and grievances, upon which 
they founded a petition to the King and a memorial to Parliament. In these, 
they claimed the full privileges of English subjects, averred the plenary 
legislative power of the colonial Assemblies, protested against taxation by 
Parliament, and the dispensation of the trial by jury ; and earnestly pressed 
upon the attention of the parent state, the burdens imposed by the stamp and 
other acts, with the utter impossibility of continuing the execution of the 
former, in consequence of the drain of specie it would produce. A difference 
of opinion prevailed upon the question, whether the petitions and memorials 
should be signed and transmitted by the Congress, or be sanctioned and 
forwarded by the provincial Assemblies, as their several acts. Messrs. 
Ruggles of Massachusetts, the chairman of the Convention, and Ogden of 
New Jersey, believing in the propriety of the latter mode, refused to sign 
with the other delegates ; but their conduct was censured by their constitu- 
ents: and Mr. Ogden, thereupon, resigned his seat in the Assembly, which 
was convened by the governor, at his special instance,* that they might con- 
sider and adopt the best mode of expressing their sense of the obnoxious 
measures.^ 

XXVI. The House received from Messrs. Fisher and Borden their report 
of the proceedings of the Congress, and, unanimously, approved thereof; 
voting their thanks to those gentlemen, for the faithful and judicious dis- 
charge of the trust reposed in them. Mr. Courtlandt Skinner, the newly 
elected speaker, Mr. John Johnson, Mr. John Lawrence, and Mr. David 
Cooper were appointed to correspond with the agent:}: of the colony in Great 
Britain. 

The House then proceeded to adopt, unanimously, the following preamble 
and resolutions : " Whereas, the late act of ParHament, called the stamp act, 
is found to be utterly subversive of privileges inherent to, and originally 

to be ajv act of the House ; but reflection on this passage, satisfies the House, that his 
excellency has more knowledge of the contents of the letter in answer, than the mem- 
bers of the House themselves." — votes. It is impossible not to perceive that the 
members of this Assembly, had not that vivid sense of evil resulting from the stamp 
act, which was displayed in other colonies, particularly, when we consider that this 
was the first opportunity for expressing their sentiments, upon the odious pretensions 
of Parliament. Upon their return to their constituents, however, the members im- 
bibed opinions and zeal more befitting the times ; and hence we have additional evi- 
dence, that, resistance to British oppression, was not produced by the efforts of a few 
leading and aspiring men, but was the spontaneous act of a high spirited people, well 
instructed in their rights, and resolutely determined to maintain them. 

*27th November, 1765. f Note A A. X Joseph Sherwood, Esq. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 141 

■secured by, grants and confirmations from the crown of Great Britain to the 
settlers of tliis colony : in duty, therefore, to ourselves, our constituents, and 
posterity, this House thinks it absolutely necessary, to leave the following 
resolves on our minutes: 1. That his Majesty's subjects inhabiting this pro- 
vince, are, from the strongest motives of duty, fidelity, and gratitude, invio- 
lably attached to his royal person and government ; and have ever shown, 
ajid we doubt not, ever will show, the utmost readiness and alacrity, for 
acceding to the constitutional requisitions of the ci'own, as they have been, 
from time to time, made to this colony : 2. That his Majesty's liege subjects 
in this colony, are entitled to all the inherent rights and liberties of his na- 
tural born subjects, within the kingdom of Great Britain : 3. That it is, in- 
separably, essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted right of 
Englishmen, that no taxes be imposed upon them, but with their own con- 
sent, given personally, or by their representatives : 4. That the people of 
this colony are not, and from their remote situation cannot, be represented 
in the Parliament of Great Britain ; and if the principle of taxing the colo- 
nies without their consent, should be adopted, the people here would be sub- 
jected to the taxation of two Legislatures ; a grievance unprecedented, and 
not to be thought of, without the greatest anxiety: 5. That the only repre- 
sentatives of the people of this colony, are persons chosen by themselves; 
and that no taxes ever have been, or can be, imposed on them, agreeably to 
the constitution of this province, granted and confirmed by his Majesty's most 
gracious predecessors, but by their own Legislature : 6. That all supplies 
being free gifts ; for the people of Great Britain to grant, to his Majesty, the 
property of the people of this colony without their consent and being repre- 
sented, would be unreasonable, and render useless legislation in this colony, 
in the most essential point: 7. That the profits of trade arising from this 
colony, centering in Great Britain, eventually contribute to the supplies 
granted there to the crown : 8. That the giving unlimited power to any sub- 
ject or subjects, to impose what taxes they please in the colonies, under the 
mode of regulating the prices of stamped vellum, parchment, and paper, ap- 
pears, to us, unconsitutional, contrary to the rights of the subject, and, appa- 
rently, dangerous in its consequences : 9. That any incumbrance which, in 
effect, restrains the liberty of the press in America, is an infringement of the 
subject's liberty : 10. That the extension of the powers of the court of admi- 
ralty, within this province, beyond its ancient limits, is a violent innovation 
of tiie right of trial by jury — a right which this House, upon the principles 
of their British ancestors, hold most dear and invaluable: 11. That, as the 
tranquillity of this country hath been interrupted through fear of the dreadful 
consequences of the stamp act; that, therefore, the officers of the govern- 
ment, who go on in their offices, for the good and peace of the pi'ovince, in 
the accustomed manner, while things are in their present unsettled situation, 
will, in the opinion of this House, be entitled to the countenance of the Legis- 
lature; and it is recommended to our constituents, to use what endeavours 
lie in their power, to preserve the peace, quiet, harmony, and good order of 
the government ; that no heats, disorders, and animosities may, in the least, 
obstruct the united endeavours, that are now strongly engaged for the repeal- 
ing the act abovementioned, and other acts affecting the trade of the colo- 
nies." 

XXVII. Whilst these efforts were being made on this side of the Atlantic 
to obtain redress for American grievances, the colonial agents, the friends of 
freedom and equal rights, and the merchants interested in the American 
trade, were not idle in Great Britain. The refusal to import her manufac- 
tures touched her in a vital part. The great diminution of orders for goods, 



142 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

so honourable to the self-control of the colonists, compelled a powerful class of 
traders to advocate liberal principles, who, under other circumstances, would 
have gladly sustained any policy which might have lessened their burden of 
taxation. Powerful as this combination certainly was, it had to contend 
against the most imperious passions, the pride and avarice of the people. The 
lofty position assumed by the Americans was intolerable. They had long 
been viewed as men of an inferior race. The arrogant philosophy of Europe 
had placed them and the animal productions of their country, low in the scale 
of perfectibility. By the mass of the English vulgar, they were ranked with 
savages and negroes. The colonies, the dependencies of Great Britain, on 
which she had, for years, poured forth the scourings of her prisons, had de- 
nied her supremacy, and refused to submit to her Parliament, hitherto deemed 
throughout her vast empire, politically omnipotent. With the sin of a re- 
bellious temper, they were also charged with ingratitude. Under the pres- 
sure of accumulated debt and heavy taxation, the English people envied the 
display of wealth by the provincialists in the late war, and forgot that its ex- 
hibition was made in the common cause, with a generosity which had enforced 
from English justice, the return of more than a million sterling. Thus sup- 
ported, the ministry which sought relief for the people, by taxing American 
industry, would scarcely have been driven from their purpose. But other 
causes transferred the government to other statesmen, whom consistency 
requii'ed, at least, to reverse measures which they had denounced with im- 
qualified reprobation. 

XXVIII. Under the new ministers an inquiry was instituted into the effects . 
of the colonial policy of their predecessors. The merchants and manufac- 
turers gave ample testimony of the paralysis in trade, whilst Dr. Franklin, 
as the representative of America, before a committee of the whole House of 
Commons, demonstrated the impossibility of levying the new impositions, and 
the consequent necessity of their repeal. The majority of Parliament was, 
now, divided into two parties. The larger one affirmed the right to tax the 
colonies, but denied the expediency of its present exercise ; the other, led by 
Mr. Pitt, repudiated this right, on the ground that all aids are gifls from the 
people, and can never be legally obtained without their assent ; and that this 
assent could not be had in Parliament, since the colonists were not there 
represented. A repeal on these principles, however just, according to the 
English constitution, would not have saved the pride of the nation, and would 
have destroyed the hopes of future revenue at the will of Parliament. Hence, 
the repeal of the stamp act, which took place on the eighteenth of March 
by a vote of two hundred and seventy-five, to one hundred and sixty-seven, 
was accompanied by a declaration of the right of Parliament to tax America. 
It was followed by an act indemnifying those who had incurred penalties on 
account of stamp duties. The tidings of this event were received in America 
with joy more temperate than might have been expected from the excitement 
of the public mind. The prudence displayed on this occasion had been ear- 
nestly recommended by a committee of merchants in London trading with 
America, and by others friendly to American interests. 

At the meeting of the Assembly of New Jersey in June, 1766, Governor 
Franklin congratulated the House on the repeal of the odious stamp act ; to 
which, however, he had been little accessory; and whilst he lauded, with the 
warmth becoming a dependent of the crown, "the tenderness, lenity, and 
condescension, the wisdom, justice, and equity, which his Majesty and the 
Parliament had manifested on this signal occasion," he carefully refrained from 
reminding the members of the obstacles he had endeavoured to raise, to their 
action on the case, and the severity with which he reprehended them for 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 143 

sending delegates to the New York convention, and their approval of its pro- 
ceedings. The Assembly did not fail to use so favourable an opportunity for 
retaliation, rendered more poignant, that the moderation of the province had 
received the commendation of the ministry; but the House would have en- 
joyed its triumph with forbearance, had not the governor, by an angry mes- 
sage, drawn forth a severe retort. 



144 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER X. 

Comprising Events from 17G6 to 1769. — I. Remaining discontents in the Colonies, 
after the repeal of the Stamp Act. — II. Dissatisfaction in Great Britain on ac- 
count of the repeal — American taxation again proposed in Parliament, by Mr. 
Townsend — Bill imposing Duties on Goods imported into America, passed. — IV. 
Circular Letter of Massachusetts to the other Colonies. — V. Promptitude and 
Unanimity of the Colonies produced by the Farmer's Letters. — VI. Resort to 
Non-importation Agreements. — VII. The Ministry condemn the Circular Letter. ' 
VIII. Menacing Resolutions of Parliament against Massachusetts — The other 
Colonies approve her conduct. — IX. Modified repeal of the Imposts — Consequent 
modification of the Non-importation Agreements. — X. Numerous Law Suits — 
The People complain of the Fees of the Courts — XI. Disputes between the Go- 
vernor and the Assembly. — XII. Robbery of the Treasury of East Jersey — The 
Assembly require the removal of the Treasurer — He is protected by the Gover- 
nor. — XIII. Efforts of Governor Franklin to encourage the culture of Hemp, 
Flax, and Silk. — XIV. New apportionment of Members in the Province. — XV. 
Testimonial of the Northern Indians to the Justice of the Colony. 

I. Although the joy produced by the repeal of the stamp act, was com- 
mon to all the colonies, the same temper did not prevail in all. In the com- 
mercial cities, the restrictions on trade excited scarce less disgust than had 
been created by the stamp act itself; and in the north, political parties had 
been formed, which betrayed excessive bitterness in opposition to each other. 
The first mea.sures of Massachu.setts and New York demonstrated that the 
reconciliation with the colonies was not cordial. 

With the circular of Mr. Secretary Conway, announcing the repeal of the . 
stamp act, came a resolution of Parliament, declaring, that those persons 
who had suffered injury by assisting to execute that act, ought to be compen- 
sated by the colonies, respectively, in which such injury was done. This, 
specially, affected Massachusetts, where compliance with the resolution was 
tardy, reluctant, and ungracious. An act of pardon to the offenders, and of 
indemnity to the sufferers, was, however, passed ; but it was rejected by the 
King; because the colonial Assembly had no power under their charter, to 
pass an act of general pardon, but at the instance of the crown. 

In New York, where General Gage was expected with a considerable 
body of troops, the governor required from the Legislature, compliance 
with the act of Parliament, called the " Mutiny Act^'' which directed, the 
colony, in which any of his Majesty's forces might be stationed, to provide 
barracks for them, and certain necessaries in their quarters. The Legis- 
lature, reluctantly and partially, complied with the requisition ; but at a sub- 
sequent session, when the matter was again brought before them, they deter- 
mined, that the act of Parliament could only be construed to require neces- 
saries for troops on a march, and not while permanently stationed in the 
country ; on a contrary construction, they said, the colony might be griev- 
ously burdened, by marching into it several regiments. This reason ad- 
mits the obligation to obey the act. Yet, its requisitions were, unquestiona- 
bly, a tax ; and between the power of Parliament to levy money by its own 
authority, and, compulsorily, through the colonial Legislatures, no essential 
distinction can be drawn. A like requisition was made on the Legislature 
of New Jersey, in April, 1768, by Governor Franklin, which was fulfilled 
with cheerful alacrity. Such were the inaccurate ideas, which even then 
prevailed, in parts of the continent, relative to the control which Parliament 



fflSTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 145 

might justly exercise over the colonies. The contumacy of New York was 
punished and removed by prohibiting the Legislature from passing any act, 
until the requisition of the Parliament had been, in every respect, complied 
with.* 

Some troops having been driven, by stress of weather, into the harbour of 
Boston, their commander applied to Governor Bernard, for the necessary 
and usual supplies, which were granted by consent of the council, " in pur- 
suance of the act of Parliament.'''' But the general court which met soon 
afterwards, (1767) disapproved, in pointed terms, the conduct of the gover- 
nor, declaring, that, " alter the repeal of the stamp act, they were surprised 
to find, that this act, equally odious and unconstitutional, should remain in 
force. They lamented the entry of the reason for the advice of council, the 
more, as it was an unwarrantable and unconstitutional step, which totally 
disabled them from testifying the same cheerfulness they had always shown, 
in granting to his Majesty, of their free accord, such aids as his service had, 
from time to time, required." 

II. The repeal of the stamp act, however grateful to the friends of liberty, 
to the colonists, and to the English merchants trading with them, was not 
popular with the nation at large. The supremacy of the Parliament was 
maintained by the mass of the people ; the hope of revenue from America 
was too fascinating to be surrendered without further exertion ; and the King 
beheld, with high indignation, the resistance to his authority, and the political 
principles which his American subjects had displayed. Moved by these con- 
siderations, Mr. Charles Townsend, chancellor of the exchequer, in an ad- 
ministration formed by Lord Chatham, a man of splendid and versatile ta- 
lents, invited the attention of Parliament, again, to the subject of American 
taxation. He boasted, " that he knew how to draw a revenue from the 
colonies, without giving them oifcnce, and animated by the challenge of Mr. 
Grenville, to make his vaunting true, he proposed and carried almost unani- 
mously, a bill imposing certain duties on tea, glass, paper, and painters' 
colours, imported into the colonies from Great Britain ; the pi'oceeds of which 
were appropriated to the support of government in America, so far as should 
be necessary, and the balance to be paid into the British treasury. 

This measure was founded in the erroneous belief, that the colonists ob- 
jected rather to the mode than to the right of taxation. But though there 
had been some inaccuracies in expressing their views on the statutes regu- 
lating trade, there should have been no misapprehension of their determination 
to resist every attempt to tax them without their consent. The bill of Mr. 
Townsend had the unequivocal character of a revenue law, and as such was 
avowedly enacted ; nor were the provincialists slow to declare their sense of 

• its true character. 

III. Petition and remonstrance were again resorted to by the colonial 
Legislatures. The tone, generally taken, was not so high, as in case of 
the stamp act ; but the conviction that the one was as great a violation of 
public liberty as the other, soon became universal. 

The colony of Massachusetts, in addition to her other measures, addressed 
a circular letter (11th February, 1768,) to the Assemblies of the respective 
colonies, stating her own proceedings to obtain redress. This was laid be- 
fore the House of Representatives of New Jersey by the speaker, Courtland 
Skinner, Esq., on the 16th of April, and was referred to Messrs. Borden, 
J. Lawrence, and R. Lawrence, with instructions to draught an answer 

• thereto. The answer, signed by the speaker, remarks, " sensible that the 
law you complain of is a subject in which every colony is interested, the 

• Marshall. 



146 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

House of Representatives readily perceived the necessity of an immediate ap- 
plication to the King, and that it should correspond with those of the other 
colonies ; but as they have not had an opportunity of knowing the sentiments 
of any other colony, but that of the Massachusetls Bay, they have endea- 
voured to conform themselves to the mode adopted by you. They have 
therefore given instruction to their agent, and enjoined his attention on the 
subject of their petition." And it concluded, " the House have directed me 
to assure you, that they are desirous to keep up a correspondence with 
you, and to unite with the colonies if necessary, in further supplications 
to his Majesty, to relieve his distressed American subjects. Pursuant to 
these sentiments, the House, May 7th, 1768, adopted a petition to his Ma- 
jesty, in which, after recounting the perils and labours of the primitive 
settlers, they declared, that "the subjects thus emigrating brought with them, 
as inherent in their persons, all the rights and liberties of natural born sub- 
jects within the parent state. In consequence of these, a government was 
formed under which they have been constantly exercised and enjoyed by the 
inhabitants, and repeatedly and solemnly recognised and confirmed by your 
royal predecessors, and the Legislature of Great Britain." 

" One of these rights and privileges vested in the people of this colony, is 
the privilege of being exempt from any taxations, but such as are imposed on 
them by themselves, or by their representatives ; and this they esteem so in- 
valuable, that they are fully persuaded, no other can exist without it." 

Then, after recalling to the remembrance of their sovereign, their past 
promptitude in furnishing all necessary supplies required from them, and their 
disposition for the future, to evince " their unfeigned affection for his Majesty's 
person, their distinguished duty to his government, and their inflexible reso- 
lution to maintain his authority and defend his dominions," they proceed; 

"Penetrated with these sentiments, this, your people, with the utmost con- 
cern and anxiety observe, that duties have lately been imposed upon them by 
Parliament, for the sole and express purposes of raising a revenue. This is 
a taxation upon them from which they concieve they ought to be protected, ' 
by the acknowledged principles of the constitution: that freemen cannot be 
legally taxed but by themselves or by their representatives ; and that they are 
represented in Parliament they not only cannot allow, but are convinced from 
their local circumstances they never can be." 

"Very far is it from our intention, to deny our subordination to that au- 
gust body, or our dependence on the kingdom of Great Britain ; in these con- 
nections, and in the settlement of our liberties under the auspicious influence 
of your royal House, we know our happiness consists, and therefore, to con- 
firm those connexions and to strengthen this settlement, is at once our interest, 
duty, and delight. Nor do we apprehend, that it lies within our power by 
any means more eflectually, to promote these great purposes, than by zeal- 
ously striving to preserve in perfect vigour, those sacred rights and liberties, 
under the inspiriting sanction of which, inconceivable difficulties and dangers 
opposing, this colony has been rescued from the rudest state of nature, con- 
verted into a populous, flourishing, and valuable territory; and has contributed 
in a very considerable degree, to the welfare of Great Britain." 

"Most gracious sovereign, the incessant exertions of your truly royal 
cares, to procure your people a prosperity equal to your love of them, en- 
courage us, with all humility, to prav, that, your Majesty's clemency will be 
graciously pleased to take into consideration our unhappy circumstances, and 
to afford us such relief, as your Majesty's wisdom shall judge to be most 
proper." 

IV. The Legislature of Massachusetts, which convened early in January, 
1768, addressed remonstrances to the King, to Parliament, and to the minis- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 147 

ters, and a circular letter to the several colonies. The latter contained an 
exposition of the subject of their remonstrances, a recapitulation of the argu- 
ments urged against the stamp act, and declared the taxes lately imposed, to 
be inequitable, because exacting a duty upon the importation into America, 
on British manufactures, in addition to that paid on exportation from Eng- 
land ; and that, the proposed disbursements of the revenue, in the payment of 
the salaries of the governors and judges appointed by the crown, had a ten- 
dency to subvert the jjrinciples of equity, and to endanger the happiness and 
security of the sidjject. 

V. The promptitude and unanimity of the colonies, generally, on this oc- 
casion, has been, with great justice, ascribed to the judicious and eloquent 
essays of Mr. John Dickerson, published as " Letters from a Farmer in 
Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British colonies." These papers, in 
which the rights of the colonists were ably maintained, were republished in 
every colony ; and the people of Boston, and other towns, in town meeting, 
voted a letter of thanks to their " patriotic, enlightened, and noble spirited 
author." 

VI. In their controversy upon the stamp act, the colonists found their 
most effectual weapon in their non-importation agreements. Recourse was 
again had to them. But as New Jersey had little direct commerce, of im- 
portation, she could not express her sense of injury, adequately, by this 
mode ; but she was not precluded from giving to her commercial neighbours 
the stimulus of her approbation. Accordingly, in the October session of 
1769, her Legislature resolved unanimously, " That the thanks of the House 
be given to the merchants and traders of this colony, and of the colonies of 
New York and Pennsylvania, for their disinterested and public spirited con- 
duct, in withholding their importations of British merchandise, until certain 
acts of Parliament, laying restrictions on American commerce, for the ex- 
press purpose of raising a revenue in America, be repealed." 

Efforts being made in Rhode Island, to break through the non-importation 
agreement, the freeholders, merchants and traders, of the county of Essex, 
convened at Elizabethtown, on the 5th of June, 1770, and resolved, that 
such agreement was founded on the truest policy, and was a legal and con- 
stitutional method of discovering their sense of the acts of Parliament, for 
raising a revenue in the colonies; and therefore should be firmly adhered to, 
until such acts were repealed : That they would not themselves, or by others, 
receive, purchase, sell, or otherwise use, any of the manufactures or mer- 
chandise, imported from Great Britain, contrary to the agreement; and that, 
they would not trade, nor have any commercial intercourse, with such pei*- 
sons, who should import goods or cause them to be imported, or with any 
person, who shall purchase goods so imported ; but would use every lawful 
means, to hinder the sale of such goods, in any way whatever : That they 
highly approved the spirited behaviour of their JBoston, New York, and Phi- 
ladelphia brethren, in renouncing all commerce and intercourse with the 
traders and inhabitants of Newport, in Rhode Island, who had perfidiously 
deserted them in this struggle ; and that they would observe the same rules 
of conduct they had so properly adopted, with respect to the traders and in- 
habitants of Newport. And at a meeting held at the same place, on the 16th 
of July, when having learned, that " the merchants and traders of the city of 
New York, had lately thought proper, contrary to their own agreement, and 
in violation of their public faith, to break through the only measure that 
could have obtained redress, they declared that the signers to the late non-im- 
portation agreement, at New York, had perfidiously betrayed the common 
cause, deserted their countrymen, in their united struggles for the removal of 
ministerial oppression; and that every person who, contrary to the non- 



148 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

importation agreement, shall import, ought, by the friends of their country, 
to be treated, not only in like manner, as they themselves set the example, 
in the late case of the merchants and traders of Newport, but be held in the 
utmost contempt by all the friends of liberty, and treated as enemies to their 
country: And that they would strictly adhere to their resolutions, adopted 
at a former meeting. The conduct of the New York importers was con- 
demned by the inhabitants of Woodbridge, and New Brunswick, and other 
places, in terms still more energetic. Some of these importers, ventur- 
ing, soon after, to New Brunswick and Woodbridge, with their goods, were 
severely handled by the populace. 

VII. " On the first intimation of the measures taken by Massachusetts, the 
Earl of Hillsborough, who, about the close of the year 1767, had been appoint- 
ed to the then newly created office of Secretary of State, for the department 
of the colonies, addressed a circular letter to the several governors, to be laid 
before the Assemblies, in vt'hich he treated the circular of Massachusetts, 
as of the most dangerous and factious tendency, calculated to inflame the 
minds of his Majesty's good subjects in the colonies — to promote an un- 
warrantable combination, to excite and encourage an open opposition to, and 
denial of, the authority of Parliament ; and to subvert the true principles of 
the constitution ; and he endeavoured to prevail upon them to treat with re- 
sentment, " such an unjustifiable attempt to revive thos-c distractions, which 
had operated so fatally to the prejudice of the colonies, and of the mother 
country ; but in any event, not to take part with Massachusetts, by approv- 
ing such proceedings." Instructions accompanied this letter, to dissolve 
such Assemblies as should refuse to comply with its recommendation. It 
does not appear, that the Assembly of New Jersey took any order upon the 
circular of Massachusetts. But other colonies declared, that they could not 
consider as an unwarrantnble combination, a concert of measures to give 
efficacy to their representations, in support of principles essential to the Bri- 
tish constitution.* 

" This circular of Massachusetts, together with the violent proceedings 
which were subsequently had in that colony, were the cause of joint resolu- 
tions of both Houses of Parliament, condemning in the strongest terms, the 
measures pursued by the Americans. An address was agreed upon, approving 
the conduct of the crown, giving assurances of effectual support to such 
further measures as should be found necessary to maintain the civil magis- 
trates in a due execution of the laws within the province of Massachusetts 
Bay; and beseeching his Majesty, to direct the governor of that colony, to 
obtain and transmit to him, information of all treasons committed therein, 
since the year 1767, with the names of the persons who had been most 
active in promoting such offences, that prosecutions might be instituted 
against them, within the realm, in pursuance of the statute of the 35th of 
Henry VIII."t 

VIII. The impression made by these menaces, directed specially against 
Massachusetts Bay, in expectation that the other provinces would be, thereby, 
deterred from involving themselves in her dangers, was very unfavourable to 
the views of the mother country. The resolution to resist the exercise of 
the authority claimed by her, was not only unshaken, but manifested itself 
in a still more determined form. The Assembly of Virginia, soon after the 
receipt of these resolutions, asserted, unanimously, the exclusive right of that 
Assembly to impose taxes on their constituents, and their undoubted privi- 
lege to petition for redress of grievances, and to obtain the concurrence of 
the other colonies in such petitions. Alluding particularly to the joint ad- 

" Marshall. t Ibid. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 149 

dress of the two Houses of Parliament to the King, they also resolved, that 
all persons charged with the commission of any otience, within that colony, 
were entitled to a trial before the tribunals, of the country, according to the 
fixed and known course of proceedings therein; and that to seize such per- 
sons, and transport them beyond seas for trial, derogated, in a high degree, 
from the rights of British subjects ; as, thereby, the inestimable privilege of 
being tried by a jury, from the vicinage, as well as the liberty of summon- 
ing and producing witnesses, in such trial, would be taken from the party 
accused. This last resolution was also adopted, in terms, by the Assembly 
of New Jersey.* 

IX. Notwithstanding these sti'ong measures on the part of Parliament, the 
mass of the English trading population, feeling, severely, the consequences 
of the non-importation agreement, strongly urged the abrogation of the new 
duties. And the ministry, affected by the commercial distress, were desirous 
to give relief, but were resolute to maintain the parliamentary right to tax 
the colonies. 

With criminal weakness they adopted a middle course, remarkable for the 
ignorance it displays of the state of the public mind, and the nature of the 
public character, in America. The earnest remonstrances and prompt and 
energetic resistance of the colonies, had failed to convince them, that the 
assertion of the right, and not the amount of duty levied, was the true source 
of complaint. The ministers persisted in believing that a reduction of the 
tax would restore tranquillity. Under this delusion, assurances were given, 
in 1769, that five-sixths of the taxes imposed in 1767, should be repealed: 
and, in 1770, the whole were abolished. 

Adhering strictly to their principles, the colonists modified their non-im- 
portation agreements, to opei'ate on tea alone. This they were better ena- 
bled to do, as that article could be obtained from continental Europe, by 
smuggling, in sufficient quantities, and at less price, than if regularly im- 
ported from Great Britain. The anticipation of revenue, by continuance of 
the impost act, was, therefore, vain ; and its preservation on the statute book, 
served but to keep the jealousies and fears of the provinces in constant acti- 
vity, and to familiarize the people with opposition to a power, which like the 
sword of Damocles, threatened, momentarily, their destruction. 

In some of the colonies the non-importation agreements were partially vio- 
lated; but, in the greater part, they were religiously observed. By the reve- 
nue act, in its modified form, their rights were exposed to violation, yet their 
preservation depended on themselves ; since, whilst no dutiable commodity 
was purchased, no duty was paid ; and whilst this commodity was, other- 
wise, cheaply procured, no privation was sustained. Hence, a state of poli- 
tical quiet ensued the repealing act of 1770. The ministry seemed disposed 
to avoid further aggression, and the Americans, generally, ceased to remon- 
strate and complain ; although they continued to watch, with lynx-eyed vigi- 
lance, every movement of the British government, and to discuss, publicly 
and privately, the value of the union between the colonies and the parent 
state. 

X. The period of four years, which succeeded the modification of the 
revenue act, contains few incidents of historical interest. The late war, by 
the great expenditure of money, and consumption of agricultural products, 
had caused an extraordinary appearance of prosperity in New Jersey, as in 
other colonies. A ready market and advanced price for grain, increased 
the value of lands, and seduced the enterprising into improvident purchases. 
The causes of this excited state ceasing with the peace, great depression 

* December 6th, 1769. 



150 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of prices, and contraction of business, ensued. Debtors were unable to pay ; 
bankruptcies and suits at law wore numerous, and the prosecuting creditor 
and his attorney became odious to the debtor and his sympathizing friends. 
In popular distress, as amid aiws, the laws are silent. In January, 1770, 
many citizens of Monmouth county, assembled at Freehold, on the stated 
day for holding the county court, and violently deterred the judges from exe- 
cuting their office; compelling them to return to their respective homes; and 
a similar riot, in Essex, was suppressed, only, by the spirited conduct of the 
sheriffs, magistrates, and the better disposed inhabitants. The cause alleged 
for these unwarrantable proceedings, was oppression by the lawyers, in their 
exorbitant charges for costs. The governor, by the advice of his council, 
issued a special commission for the trial of the offenders, adding to the jus- 
tices of the Supreme Court, some gentlemen of distinguished character. In 
Essex, the rioters were immediately tried, convicted, and punished; but, in 
Monmouth, they were screened from chastisement, by the sympathy of their 
fellow-citizens. The Assembly was specially convened as well to receive 
and continue legal process, which had abated by the lapse of a term, as to 
provide additional means for the preservation of the public peace. And whilst 
effecting these objects, they inquired strictly into the allegations against the 
lawyers, acquitting them of extortion, but providing by law against exces- 
sive costs, in the recovery of debts under fifty pounds. In suppressing these 
seditions Mr. Richard Stockton was highly instrumental, supporting with 
dignity the authority of government, and mildly assuaging the temper of the 
people. 

XI. In the intercourse between Governor Franklin and the Assembly, 
considerable harmony prevailed. But, occasionally, differences of opinion 
led to intemperate altercation. Thus, a war of words grew out of the appli- 
cation of the officers of the King's troops, for supplies and accommodations 
greater than the House was disposed to grant. For, although the statesmen 
of New Jersey did not take the high ground of Massachusetts, upon this sub- 
ject, they were reluctant to expend any thing more than the strictest con- 
struction of the act of Parliament required. A lengthened discussion was 
finally terminated by mutual concession. But another dispute soon after 
arose, on the application of the Assembly, for the removal of the treasui'er of 
the eastern division of the province. With singular policy, a treasurer was 
retained and located in each of the ancient divisions of the colony ; and by 
policy not less singular, they were appointed by the governor, gave no secu- 
rity for the faithful performance of their duties, but were responsible to, and 
always accounted with, the Assembly. 

XII. Mr. Stephen Skinner was treasurer of East Jersey, and resident at 
Perth Amboy. On the night of the 21st of July, 1768, his house was broken 
open, and the iron chest in which he kept the provincial funds, was robbed of ji 
sixty-six hundred pounds, chiefly in bills of credit. The character of the^ 
treasurer was fair, and his statement of circumstances was received without 
inquiry, during two years; when no clue being discovered to the robbery, 
the Assembly, October, 1770, directed an investigation, and came to the 
conclusion, that the loss was occasioned by the want of that care, which was 
necessary to the safe keeping of the money; and that the treasurer ought 
not to be allowed therefor in his accounts. But no further steps were 
taken in this matter, until September, 1772; when, the treasurer remon- 
strating against this vote, the then House approved the sentiment of its pre- 
decessor, and invited the governor to join them in some method to compel 
the treasurer to account for the sum, said to be stolen. 

The committee, addressing his excellency, complained, " that though the 
treasurer did not apprehend himself accountable for that sum to the public, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 151 

as in the treasury, he was still continued in office, the public money still de- 
pended on his care, and nothing had been done to recover the deficiency." 
Notwithstanding this broad intimation, th(? governor insisted, that if the 
House desired the removal of the treasurer,%iey should tell him so, in plain 
terms. He reproached them for their insinuation of neglected duty, and re- 
torted the charge, averring, that for several years, they had taken no order 
on the matter. The Assembly, thus urged, now left the governor no cause 
to doubt their wishes, and closed a long argumentative reply, with " humbly 
requestmg his excellency, that he would be pleased to remove the treasurer 
from his oHice, appoint some other person therein, and unite with them in 
passmg a law, authorizing the treasurer, so appointed, to commence suit for 
the deficiency against his predecessor. The governor did not object to a 
suit for determining the liability of the officer ; and a committee of the coun- 
cil, in conference with one from the Assembly, proposed to file an informa- 
tion against the treasurer; but the House rejected the mode, alleging, that a 
criminal prosecution would not attain their "object. On the other hand, the 
governor refused to commit the injustice of removing a public officer, who, 
though unfortunate, had not been convicted of malfeasance ; and whose con- 
duct and character the Assembly, after examination, had declared unim- 
peached. He pleaded, also, a royal instruction, forbidding him to displace 
any officer or minister, in the province, without sufficient cause, to be signified 
to the king; an instruction, he said, wisely calculated to guard against that 
arbitrary, despotic temper, which sometimes actuated governors, as well as 
that levelling, democratic disposition, whicli too often prevails in popular 
assemblies.* 

This was a subject of angry discussion, between the governor and As- 
^sembly, for nearly two years longer; in which the former was encouraged, 
by the discovery of a gang of counterfeiters and forgers, one of whom, it 
was probable, from the evidence of his accomplices, had perpetrated the rob- 
bery of the treasury. At length, the treasurer, who had repeatedly, but in 
vain, prayed the Assembly to cause a suit to be instituted against' him, re- 
signed his commission; and an act was passed by the Legislature, directing 

* May we not here properly remark, that a clause in our republican constitutions, 
prohibiting the removal of public officers, without good and sufficient cause, would pro- 
tect useful public servants against the arbitrary and despotic temper, which some- 
times actuates governors and presidents, as well as that capricious disposition and 
prescriptive spint of party, which too often prevails in popular assemblies? Officers 
ot state are created for the service of the people, as the state itself is constituted for 
tl^ir benefit. The mdividual emolument which arises from the maintenance of the 
officer, is an accident, not the object, of the creation. Yet, a fatal misconstruction of 
the maxim, that offices are created for the people, has been so widely spread throuffh- 
out our republics, as to threaten their safety and duration. Leaders of parties, in hth 
stations, proclaim ^'rotation in office;' to be republican; tliat all citizens are entitled 
to participate in official emoluments, and are competent to the performance of of- 
hcial duties Such doctrines have a demorahzing effijct, tendino- to discourage 
industry, and to create numerous anxious, idle, venal, e.-pectants of office Their 
absurdity becomes apparent, by following them out to their proper results. Even 
It we limit the position, by saying, that all men duly qualified, are entitled to 
participate in official emoluments, it will be obvious that an attempt to reduce it to 
practice, however impossible, would produce a change every hour, in every office of 
the country The true principle is, that public officers are agents of the people, to 
be appointed, directly or indn-ectly, by the people, as they shall in their wisdom deter- 
mine; and should be changed, only, when the public interests require. Like other agents 
they should receive a moderate, but just, compensation for their services, with the 
assurance of Its contmuance, whilst those services are, faithfully, rendered. Towards 
their public servants, the whole people, the state, should pursue the course whLh 
each mdividual possessing common sense, adopts in his own affiiirs. No prudent man 
discharges a competent, experienced and faithful servant, to receive others in quick 

ZZ'^Z'^Yt ^TIT- ^'^^ ^ "'^"^ '""^^^y ^° ^^'^ wages, and whose cap'acity 

for service is to be acquired at his expense. i J' 



152 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

his successor to sue lor the balance. One good effect resuhing from this 
contest, was the requisition on future treasurers, to give adequate security to 
the province for the faithful disbursement of public moneys.* 

XIII. Governor Franklin sceims to have been truly solicitous to promote 
the welfare of the colony, by increasing its- agricultural and commei'cial pro- 
ducts. At his instances, which in the present season of political quiet, he 
earnestly renewed, the Assembly established bounties for the growth of 
hemp, flax and silk ; considerable efforts were made to diffuse the culture of 
the mulberry tree, and had not this simple branch of industry been prostrated 
by the war, silk would soon have become a staple commodity of the country. 
At the suggestion of the governor, also, means were taken by the Assembly, 
to obtain a tlill census, and statistical account of the province; but these 
were rendered ineffective by the scenes of political disquiet which soon 
after arose, 

XIV. Previous to the year 1772, the House of Representatives consisted 
of twenty members. The cities of Perth Amboy and Burlington, and the 
covmties of Middlesex, Essex, Somerset, Bergen, Gloucester, and Cape May, 
each sending two representatives, whilst Salem and Cumberland jointly, sent 
only two, and Hunterdon, Morris, and Sussex jointly, the same number. 
But in that year, an act of Assembly for increasing the number of represen- 
tatives, had been approved by the King, and seems to have been a cause of 
gratulation between the governor and Assembly. By this act, each county 
was entitled to two representatives, and the whole number was increased 
to thirty. The representation which appears to have been based upon ter- 
ritorial divisions, merely, without regard to the essential principle of popu- 
lation, was, thus, continued upon an erroneous basis, and has not been fully 
corrected, even at the present day. 

XV. Governor Franklin, on the part of the province, contrary to the policy 
which it had hitherto pursued, attended two conferences with the northern 
Indians. The first was in 1769, at Fort Stanwix, at which he was accom- 
panied by the chief justice ; and where the Six Nations having agreed upon 
a general boundary line, between them and the northern colonies, (the object 
of the meeting) publicly acknowledged the repeated instances of the justice of 
the province, in bringing murderers to condign punishment ; and declared that 
they had no claim, whatever, upon the province, and in the most solemn man- 
ner conferred upon the government of New Jersey, the distinguishing name 
of Sagorighuiiyogstha, or the great arbiter, or doer of Justice. 

* See note B B. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 153 



CHAPTER XI. 

Comprising- Events from the year 1773, to 177G. — I. Committees of Correspondence 
established in tiie several Colonies. — II. The British Ministry encourage the ship- 
ment of Teas to America, by the East India Company. — III. Alarm of the Colo- 
nists — Consignees of tlie India Company compened to forego their appointments. — 
IV. Measures pursued in New Jersey. — V. Reception of the Tea in America. — ■ 
VI. Indignation of the King and Parliament. — VII. Violent measures adopted 
against Boston. — VIII. Alarming Act of Parliament, relative to the Provincial 
Government of Canada. — IX. Proceedings of the Inhabitants of Boston — General 
commiseration of their fate. — X. New Jersey appoints Members to Congress. — 
XI. Congress assemble at Philadelphia — Their proceedings. — XII. The Assembly 
of New Jersey approve the Proceedino-s of Congress, and appoint Delegates to 
the next Convention — Instructions. — XIll. The Provincial Governors instructed 
to impede the Union of the Colonies — Efforts of Governor Franklin. — XIV. Reply 
of the House. — XV. Rejoinder of the Governor — Address of the Council. — XVI. 
The Assembly petition the King. — XVII. Reception of the Proceedings of Con- 
gress ill London. — XVIII. Proceedings of Parliament — Conciliatory Propositions 
of Lord North. — XIX. Sense of New Jersey upon this proposition. — XX. State of 
tile Dispute with England. — XXI. Second New Jersey Convention called — En- 
\. courages Political Associations — Organizes the Militia, and provides funds. — XXII. 
Meijting of Congress at Philadelphia— Its Measures. — XXIII. Appointment of 
Commander-in-Chief and subordinate Generals, — XXIV. Congress again petition 
the King— Ungracious reception of the petition. — XXV Address their fellow- 
subjects of Ireland, »&c. — XXVI. New Jersey Convention re-assembles— Proceed- 
ings — Provision for the continuance of a Provincial Congress — Committee of Safety 
appointed.— XXVII. Meeting of the Assembly— Address of Governor Franklin- 
He claims assurance of protection for himself and others, the King's officers.— 
XXVIII. Reply of the Assembly.— XXIX. Act authorizing the issue of Bills of 
Credit, for £100,000, approved by the King. 

I. It is not our purpose to detail all the remote causes and immediate mo- 
lives that led to the revokition, which dissolved the connexion between Great 
Britain and her North American colonies; but to k'^' "P such a connected 
narrative of circumstances pertaining to that grc^ event, as will enable us 
to exhibit the part which New Jersey bore in th- contest. We do not, there- 
fore, enter upon the various causes of dissatisP-tion in Massachusetts, and the 
measures resulting therefrom, which prese-'^d there a spn-it of opposition to 
the crown, whilst a general calm was el-^^here pervading the continent. It 
may be proper, however, to note, that n-om the commencement of the con- 
test, Massachusetts was particular!' solicitous of uniting all the colonies in 
one .system of measures. In pr>=5i-iance of this object, she devised the plan 
of electing committees in the --veral towns for the purpose of corresponding 
with each other, and with ^*i^ ^^^^^ colonies, which was adopted by the 
other provinces. The Aonour of originating the Legislative committees of 
correspondence in the several colonies, which after vvards became so essen- 
tially useful, is claimed, by Mr. Jeflerson, for Virginia. 

II. The general state of quiet which had been induced by the prudence of 
the European and American parties, the one forbearing to ship, and the oilier 
to order teas, was, after three years' continuance, terminated by the impolitic 
avarice of the British ministry. The East India company, the mo.st daring, 
ambitious, and .successful of commercial associations, had became embarrassed 
by lavish expcndilurc, the peculations of their servants, and the diminution 
of their trade in consequence of the American quarrel. Applying to the 
government for assistance, they propo.sed, that the duty of three pence per 
pound, payable on teas imported into the colonies, should be abolished, and 



154 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

that six cents per pound should be imposed on the exportation. This fa- 
vourable and honourable mode of removing the occasion for dispute between 
the parent and her offspring was, we cannot, now, say, unfortunately, rejected 
by the administration; who, as if by extraordinary stimulus to accelertite the 
coming contest, proposed and carried a bill authorizing the company to ex- 
port their teas altogether free of duty. Lord North, says the English histo- 
rian, recommended this measure to Parliament with a twofold view ; to 
relieve the India Company and to improve the revenue. The latter was to 
be accomplished by tempting the Americans to purchase large quantities of 
teas at a low price. But the Company would not venture to ship, until 
assured by the ministry, that in no event they should suffer loss. 

III. The export of tea to America, under these circumstances, was, in 
itself, sufficient to arouse opposition. But the occasion was eagerly seized 
by those whose interests would be promoted by popular resistance. Mer- 
chants in England, whose profits were endangered by this operation of the 
India Company, and cis-atlantic smugglers, whose trade was threatened 
with extinction, laboured with the patriot, to convince the people of the im- 
mutable determination of the parent state to tax the colonies ; and for that 
purpose, to compel the sale of the tea, in despite of the solemn resolutions, 
and oft declared sense of the inhabitants. The cry of endangered liberty 
was again heard from New Hampshire to Georgia. Town meetings wei-e 
held in the capitals of the different provinces, and combinations formed to 
obstruct the sale of the fatal weed. The consignees of the Company were, 
generally, compelled to relinquish their appointments, and substitutes could 
not be procured. 

IV. The most determined spirit of resistance displayed itself, in New 
Jersey, upon the first favourable opportunity. On the eighth of February, 
1774, the Assembly, on the proposition of Virginia, appointed from its mem- 
bers, a standing committee of correspondence,* whom they instwcted to 
obtain the most early and authentic intelligence of all the acts and reso- 
lutions of the Parlia»Tient of Great Britain, or the proceedings of the adminis- 
tration, which might ^iTect the liberties and privileges of his Majesty's sub- 
jects, in the British colo^jes of America ; to maintain a correspondence with 
the sister colonies, respecting tiigg,. important considerations, and to inform 
the speakers of the several c^ti^d^tal Assemblies of this resolution, request- 
ing, that, they would submit theu j^ their several Houses. They gave thanks, 
also, to the burgesses of Virginia,^^^. their early attention to the liberties of 
America. 

V. On the approach of the tea shi^ destined for Philadelphia, the pilots 
in the Delaware were warned not to coM^^^t them into harbour; and their 
captains, apprized of the temper of the people ^i^gj^ij^g it unsafe to land their 
cargoes, consented to return without making i^ g^^try at the custom house; 
the owners of goods, on board, cheerfully submit^CT to the inconvenience of 
having their merchandise sent back to Great Britan^ The captains of ves- 
sels addressed to New York, wisely, adopted the same resolution. The tea 
sent to Charleston was landed and stored, but not offered for sale ; and being 
placed in damp cellars, became rotten, and was entirely lost. The ships de- 
signated for Boston entered that port, but before the tea could be landed, a 
number of colonists, disguised as Indians, pursuont to a concerted plan, 
entered the vessels, and without doing other damage, broke open three hun- 
dred and forty-two chests, and emptied their contents into the sea. Such 

* Consisting of James Kinsey, Stephen Crane, Hendrick Fisher, Samuel Tucker, 
John Wetheriil, Robert Friend Price, John Hinchman, John Mehelm, and Edward 
Taylor. 



J 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 155 

was the union of sentiment among the people, and so systematic their oppo- 
sition, that not a single chest of the cargoes, sent out by the East India 
Company, was sold lor their benefit. 

VI. The conduct of the colonists, generally, in relation to the tea ships, and, 
especially, the daring trespass at Boston, gave great umbrage to the King. 
In his message * to Parliament, he characterized the colonial proceedings as 
obstructing the commerce of Great Britain, and subversive of her constitu- 
tion. High and general indignation was excited in that body. His Ma- 
jesty's measures wci-e almost unanimously approved, and pledges were given 
to secure the due execution of the laws, and the dependence of the colonies. 
To maintain that dependence, the whole nation seemed disposed to approve 
and support the severest measures of the ministry. All consideration for the 
just rights of the colonists, was lost in the desire to punish their audacity ; 
and, for the moment, the patriot forgot his principles, and the merchant his 
interest, whilst fired with indignation at the bold resistance to the will of the 
parent state. 

VII. Upon Massachusetts the vials of wrath were first poured out. Before 
the magnitude of her guilt the offences of other colonies became insignificant. 
By one act of Parliament the port of Boston was closed, and the custom 
house and its dependencies ti-ansferred to the town of Salem, until compen- 
sation should be made to the East India Company, and until the King in 
council, should be satisfied of the restoration of peace and good order in the 
town of Boston : By another act, the charter of Massachusetts was subvert- 
ed; the nomination of counsellors, magistrates, and other officers, being 
vested in the crown, during the royal pleasure : By a third, persons indicted 
in that province, for any capital ofl'ence, if an allegation were made on 
oath to the governor, that such offt-nce had been committed, in aid of the 
magistracy in the suppression of I'iots, and that a fair trial could not be had 
in the province, might be sent to any other colony, or to Great Britain, for 
trial. A bill was also passed for quartering soldiers upon the inhabitants. 
But these penal bills wei-e not wholly unopposed, in either house of Parlia- 
ment; in the Lords, the minority entered their protest against each. 

VIII. An act passed simultaneously with the foregoing, making more 
effectual provision for the government of the province of Quebec, excited as 
much indignation and more dread among the colonies, than the severe mea- 
sures against Massachusetts. The latter might be palliated as the result of 
indignation, violent, but not causeless; while the former, vesting the legisla- 
tive power in a council dependent on the crown, and subjecting the whole 
revenue to the King's disposal, bore strong indications of the resolution of the 
ministry to take from the colonies, generally, the right of self-government. 
Had sympathy failed to unite the other provinces to the fate of Massachusetts, 
regard to their common safety, so openly threatened, would have rendered 
their union indissoluble. Both were intensely felt. 

IX. The inhabitants of Boston had foreseen the present crisis, and they 
met it with undaunted spirit. Information of the passage of the port act was 
received on the tenth of May, and on the thirteenth, the town resolved, "that 
if the other colonies would unite with them to stop all importations from 
Great Britain and the West Indies, until that act should be repealed, it would 
prove the salvation of North America and her liberties ; but should they con- 
tinue their exports and imports, there was reason to fear that fraud, power, 
and the most odious oppression, would triumph over justice, right, social hap- 
piness, and freedom." A copy of this resolution was transmitted to the other 
colonies, the inhabitants of which expressed deep sympathy in the sufferings 

* 7th March, 1774. 



156 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of their brethren in Boston, endured in the common cause ; and concurring 
in opinion with them on the propriety of convening a provincial Conoress, 

delegates for that purpose were gcnRrally chosen. * 

Throughout the continent, the first of June, the day on which the Boston 
port act was to take etlect, on the resolution of the Assembly of Virginia, 
was adopted as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, to implore the 
divuie uitcrposition to avert ihe heavy calamity which threatened destruc- 
tion to their civil rights, and llie evils of civil war, and to give one heart and 
one mind to the people, firmly to oppose every invasion of their liberties. 

X. Early in the month of July, the inhabitants of the several counties of 
New Jersey, assembled at their respective county towns, and adopted reso- 
lutions strongly disapprobatory of the course of the ministry and of the late 
acts of Parliament, closing the port of Boston, invading the charter rights of 
the province of Massachusetts, subjecting supposed otienders to trial in other 
colonies and in Great Britain, and sending an armed force to carry these in- 
jurious measures into effect. They nominated deputies, to meet in conven- 
tion, for the purpose of electing delegates to the general Congress, about to 
convene at Philadelphia. The Convention, consisting of sevejity-two mem- 
bers, selected from the most intelligent and respectable citizens of the colony, 
among whom were many members of Assembly, met at New Brunswick on 
the twenty-first of July, 1774; and choosing Stephen Crane, chairman, and 
Jonathan D. Sergeant, clerk, proceeded to reiterate the sentiments of their 
constituents, and to nominate James Kinscy,* William Livingston, John De 
Hart, Stephen Crane, and Richard Smith to represent them in°Congress, and 
the following gentlemen as a standing committee of correspondenceif Wil- 
liam Pcartree Smith, John Chetwood, Isaac Ogdcn, Joseph Borden, Robert 

* Kinsey left Congress in Noveml^er, 1775, refusing to take the republican oath of 
allegiance.— JoMjTMiZ of Congress, 2d Deccmher, 1775. He was highly esteemed not- 
withstanding the course he took at this time. " He is a very o-ood man," says Go- 
vernor Livingston, in a letter to Samuel Allinson, of the 25th of July, 1773 " though 
not the best hand on dock in a storm." To Kinsey himself the governor wrote 6th 
of October, of the same year: "As I find myself engaged in writing to my old friend, 
I cannot help embracing this opportunity to express my concern at your standino- so 
much in your own light, as to forego your practice rather than submit to a test, which 
all governments ever have, and ever will, impose upon those who live within the 
bounds of their authority****. Your voluntary consent to take the test prescribed 
by law, would soon restore you to the good opinion of your country, (every body 
allowing you, notwithstanding unaccountable political obliquities, to be an "honest 
man) and your way to the magistracy would, doubtless, be easy and unincumbered " 
bomc years afterwards Mr. Kinsey became chief justice. Ho died about 1801 — 
Sedrrtoick's Life of Livingston, p. 16!). 

u nY'^i-'^^' ^^^^ following minute in the votes of the Assembly, November 17, 1775. 
Mr. kinsey and Mr. De Hart, two of the delegates appointed by this House, to at- 
tend the continental Congress, applied to the House for leave to resign their said ap- 
pointments, alleging that they are so particularly circumstanced, as'^to render their 
attendance, exceedingly, inconvenient to their private affairs." On the 22d November 
their resignations were, accepted, and the three remaining deletrates, or any two of 
them, were empowered to represent the colony in Congress. 

t Mr De Hart appears to have soon grown weary in°the race. On the organization 
ot the state government he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court, but refused 
ine omce. Mr. Smith held out much longer, but his course was equivocal He was 
a representative from Burlington, in the first legislative council, but did not attend its 
session. Upon a requisition to perform liis duties, by the council, he tendered his re- 
signation, which was rejected, on the ground tliat the constitution did not warrant its 
acceptance 1 ersevering in his refusal, the council, on the seventeenth of Mav, 1777, 
resolved, that he had neglected and refused to perform the duties of his station, as 
wiSlrnL 1, \/ ','"''' '" '^'':'''"' instances, and, particularly, by contumaciously 
lilnf h "J attendance at that sitting, thougli duly and repeatedly summoned ; 
and that he be expelled. He was re-elected to council in the succeeding October 
but It does not appear that he served. He was elected state-treasurer, in joint meet- 
ing, September 5th, 1776, and performed the duties of that station for about six 



ml 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 157 

Field, Isaac Pierson, Isaac Smith, Samuel Tucker, Abraham Hunt, and 
Hendrick Fisher. 

XL The delegates from eleven provinces assembled at Philadelphia, on 
the fourtii of September; those from North Carolina did not appear until the 
fourteenth.* On the fifth, Peyton Randolph, of Virginia, was unanimously- 
chosen president, and Charles Thompson elected secretary. As the Con- 
gress was composed of men who gave tone to the sentiments of the provinces 
which they respectively represented, it was in course, that the prominent acts 
of the colonics should be supported and enforced with the ability and dignity 
pertaining to their joint endeavours. Still there was a chivalrous disregard 
of self, in tlie prompt and energetic approbation of the highest measures of 
Massachusetts, which history rarely discloses among a temperate and calcu- 
lating people, even amid the excitements of political revolution ; and which 
leads us to believe, that even at this time, independence of Great Britain was 
a foregone conclusion, in the bosoms of most members of the Congress, 
which yet, they scarce dared acknowledge to themselves, still less breathe to 
others. 

Whilst expressing " their sympathy in the sufferings of their countrymen 
of Massachusetts, under the late unjust, cruel, and oppressive acts of the 
British Parliament," Congress approved of the resolve of the county of Suf- 
folk, in which Boston lies, " that no obedience was due from that province 
to such acts, but that they should be rejected as the attempts of a wicked 
administration." They resolved, that contributions from all the colonies, for 
supplying the necessities, and alleviating the distresses of their brethren at 

• Boston, ought to be continued in such manner, and so long, as their occa- 
sions might require. They requested the merchants of the several colonies 
to refuse new orders for goods from Great Britain, and to suspend the execu- 
tion of such as had been sent, until the sense of Congress, on the means to 
be adopted for the preservation of the liberties of America, should be made 
public. And soon after, they adopted resolutions prohibiting the importa- 
tion, the purchase, or use, of goods from Great Britain, or Ireland, or their 
dependencies, after the first day of the succeeding December; and directing 
that all exports to Great Britain and the West Indies, should cease on the 
tenth of September, 1775, unless American grievances should be sooner re- 
dressed. An association, corresponding with these resolutions, was then 
framed, and signed by every member present. " Never," says Mr. Mar- 
shall, " were laws more faithfully observed, than were the resolves of Con- 
gress at this period, and their association was, of consequence, universally 
adopted." 

The better to enforce these resolutions. Congress recommended the ap- 
pointment of committees in the several counties and towns, who, soon after 
their appointment, under the names of committees of superintendence and 
correspondence, assumed no inconsiderable portion of the executive power 
and duties in the several colonies, and became efficient instruments in aidino- 
the progress of the revolution. 

XII. The New Jersey delegates reported the proceedings of Congress to 

•the Assembly of that colony, on the 11th Januaiy, 1775, by whom they 
were unanimously approved; such members as were Quakers, excepting, 
only, to such parts as seemed to wear an appearance, or might have a ten- 

■ dency to force, as inconsistent with their religious principles. 

And the House resolved, that the same gentlemen should represent the 
colony in the fiiturc Congress, should report their proceedings therein to the 
Assembly at its next session ; should propose and agree to every reasonable 

* Congress held their sessions in Carpenter's Hall. 



158 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

and constitutional measure, for the accommodation of the unhappy differ- 
ences subsisting between the mother and her colonies. And having been 
informed that at the preceding Congress, an attempt was made to give 
some of tlie colonies a greater number of votes than others, in determin- 
ing questions before it, the Assembly, instructed their delegates not to agree 
to a measure of that kind unless upon condition, that no vote so taken, 
should be obligatory on any colony, whose delegates did not assent thereto. 
The equality of the colonies in their deliberations was, hov^^ever, preserved, 
and all questions were, throughout the contest, resolved by Congress, each 
colony having a voice alike potential. 

XIII. The joint action of the colonies was, specially, obnoxious to the royal 
government; and the governors of the respective colonies threw every obsta- 
cle in their power in the way of its accomplishment. To this end, Governor 
Franklin relused to summon the Assembly, notwithstanding the petitions of 
the people; and the first delegates to Congress were consequently elected by 
a convention, and not by the House. On opening the session of the Assem- 
bly, January, 1775, he observed. "It would argue not only a great,jgant of 
duty to his Majesty, but of regard to the good people of this province, were 
I, on this occasion, to pass over in silence, the late alarming transactions in 
this and the neighbouring colonies, or not endeavour to prevail on you to 
exert yourselves in preventing those mischiefs to this country, which, with- 
out your timely interposition, will, in all probability, be the consequence. 

"It is not for me to decide on the particular merits of the dispute between 
Great Britain and her colonies, nor do I mean to censure those who conceive 
themselves aggrieved, for aiming at a redress of their grievances. It is a duty 
they owe themselves, their country, and their posterity. All that I would 
wish to guard you against, is the giving any countenance or encouragement 
to that destructive mode of proceeding which has been unhappily adopted, in 
part, by some of the inhabitants of this colony, and has been carried so far in 
others, as totally to subvert their former constitution. It has already struck 
at the authority of one of the branches of the Legislature in a particular man- 
ner. And if you, gentlemen of the Assembly, should give your approbation 
to transactions of this nature, you will do as much as lies in your power, to 
destroy that form of government, of which you are an important part, and 
which it is your duty by all lawful means to preserve. To you, your con- 
stituents have entrusted a peculiar guardianship of their rights and privileges, 
you are their legal representatives, and you cannot, without a manifest breach 
of your trust, suffer any body of men in this, or any of the other provinces, 
to usurp and exercise any of the powers vested in you by the constitution. 
It behooves you, particularly, who must be constitutionally supposed to speak 
the sense of the people at large, to be extremely cautious in consenting to 
any act whereby you may engage them as parties in, and make them an- 
swerable for measures which may have a tendency to involve them in diffi- 
culties far greater than those they aim to avoid." 

"Besides, there is not, gentlemen, the least necessity, consequently, there 
will not be the least excuse for your running such risks, on the present occa- 
sion. If you are really disposed to represent to the King any inconveniences 
you conceive yourselves to lie under, or to make any propositions on the 
present state of America, I can assure you, from the best authority, that such 
representations or pi'opositions will be properly attended to, and certainly have 
greater weight coming from each colony in its separate capacity, than in a 
channel, the propriety and legality of which there may be much doubt." 

" You have now pointed out to you, gentlemen, two roads — one evidently 
leading to peace, happiness, and a restoration of the public tranquillity — the 
other inevitably conducting you to anarchy and misery, and all the horrors 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 159 

of a civil war. Your wisdom, your prudence, your regard for the true inte- 
rests of the people, will be best known, when you have shown to which road 
you give the preference. If to the fonner, you will probably afford satisfac- 
tion to the moderate, the sober, and discreet part of your constituents. If to 
the latter, you will perhaps give pleasure to the warm, the rash, and inconsi- 
derate among them, who, I would willingly hope, violent, as is the temper of 
the present times, are not even now the majority. But, it may be well for 
you to remember, should any calamity hereafter befall them from your com- 
pliance with their inclinations, instead of pursuing, as you ought, the dictates 
of your own judgment, that the consequences of their returning to a proper 
sense of their conduct, may prove deservedly fatal to yourselves." 

XIV. These persuasions were powerless, as we have seen, with the As- 
sembly, who, unanimously approved and adopted the very measures which 
the governor condemned; and it may be proper to give their justification of 
their conduct, in the reply of the House to his address. 

" We should, have been glad," they say, " that your excellency's inclina- 
tions to have gweii us early an opportunity of transacting the public busi- 
ness, as yyha cbnsistent with our ' convenience,' had terminated in a manner 
more agttjeable to your design, and more favourable to us, than it really has 
'done, on', the present occasion. If the petitions, which we understand have 
been presented to you, had been granted, we should have had a meeting 
more convenient to us than the present ; and that meeting, perhaps, would 
have prevented some of those ' alarming transactions,' which your excel- 
lency's apprehensions of your duty leads you to inform us, as having hap- 
pened in this colony. We thank you for your intention to oblige us ; but 
that it may not be so entirely frustrated in future, permit us to inform you, 
it will be much the most agi-eeable to us, that the meeting of the House, to do 
public business, should not be postponed to a time later than when the bill 
for the support of government expires." 

" We are sorry to hear, that in your excellency's opinion, there has been 
of late, any ' alarming transactions' in this and the neighbouring colonies ; 
our consent to, or approbation of which, may lead the good people we repre- 
sent, into ' anarchy, misery, and all the horrors of a civil war.' It is true 
you are pleased to tell us, that this destructive mode of proceeding has been 
adopted, but ' in part,' by some of the inhabitants of this colony. We as- 
sure you, that we neither have, nor do intend to give our approbation to 
measures destructive to the welfare of our constituents, and in which we shall 
be equally involved with them. — Their interests and our own, we look upon 
as inseparable. No arguments are necessary to prevail on us to endeavour 
to prevent such impending calamities ; and if we should, at any time, mistake 
our duty so much, we hope your regard to the public will induce you to 
exert the prerogative, and thereby give them the choice of other representa- 
tives, who may act with more prudence. The uncertainty, however, to 
what ' alarming transactions,' in particular, you refer, renders it sufficient 
for us to assure you, only, that we profess ourselves to be the loyal subjects 
of the King, from whose goodness we hope to be relieved from the present 
unhappy situation; that we will do all in our power to preserve that excellent 
form of government, under which we at present live; and that we neither 
intend to usurp the rights of others, nor suffer any vested in us by the 
constitution, to be wrested out of our hands, by any person or persons 
whatever. 

, " We sincerely lament the unhappy differences which at present subsist 
between Great Britain and her colonies. We shall heartily rejoice to see 
the time, when they shall subside, on principles consistent with the rights and 
interests of both, which we ardently hope is not far off; and though we can- 



160 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

not conceive how the sepai-ate petition of one colony, is more Ukely to suc- 
ceed, than the united petitions of all, yet, in order to show our desire to pro- 
mote so good a purpose, by every proper means, we shall make use of the 
mode pointed out by your excellency, in hopes that it will meet that attention, 
which you are pleased to assure us, will be paid to the representatives of 
the people." 

This was the language of men who had well weighed their measures, and 
were resolved to abide their consequences. Nor is such resolution rendered 
less obvious, by the tone of irony and jyersifiage, which pervades their 
comments on the specious, but hollow assurances of the governor, of the 
success which might ensue a departure from the union entered into by the 
colonies. 

XV. The rejoinder of the governor, was remarkable for good temper and 
moderation; evincing that his course was prompted, more by the duties of 
his station, than by his judgment, which would probably have united him 
with the people. 

" Were I to give such an answer," he said, "to your address, as the pecu- 
liar nature of it seems to require, I should be necessarily led into the expla- 
nation and discussion of several matters and transactions, which, from the 
regard I bear to you, and the people of this colony, I would far rather have 
buried in perpetual oblivion. It is, besides, now vain to argue on the subject, 
as you have with the most uncommon and unnecessary precipitation, given 
your entire approbation to that destructive mode of proceeding, which I so 
earnestly warned you against. Whether, after such a resolution, the petition 
you mention, can be reasonably expected to produce any good effect ; and 
whether you or I have best consulted the true interests of the people, on this 
important occasion, I shall leave others to determine." 

The language of the council, however, was in a different tone, and as 
loyal as the governor himself could desire. " We agree with your excellen- 
cy," say they, " that it would argue not only a great want of duty to his 
Majesty, but of regard to the good people of this province, were we, on this 
occasion, to pass over in silence, the present alarming transactions, which 
are so much the objects of public attention, and, therefore, beg leave to as- 
sure you, that feeling ourselves strongly influenced, by a zealous attachment 
to the interests of Great Britain and her colonies, and deeply impressed with 
a sense of the important connexion they have with each other, we shall, with 
all sincere loyalty to our most gracious sovereign, and all due regard to the 
true welfare of the inhabitants of this province, endeavour to prevent those 
mischiefs which the present situation of affairs seems to threaten ; and by our 
zeal for the authority of government on the one hand, and for the constitu- 
tional rights of the people on the other, aim at restoring that health of the 
political body, which every good subject must earnestly desire." 

" Your excellency may be assured, that we will exert our utmost influence, 
both in our public and private capacities, to restore that harmony between 
the parent state, and his Majesty's American dominions, which is so essen- 
tial to the happiness and prosperity of the whole empire. And earnestly 
looking for that happy event, we will endeavour to preserve peace and good 
order, among the people, and a dutiful submission to the laws." 

XVI. The committee appointed for the purpose, composed of Messrs. 
Wetherill, Fisher, Ford, Tucker, and Shepherd, reported a petition to his 
Majesty, which was adopted by the House. This instrument contained, in 
a short compass, the black catalogue of the grievances of the colonies, and 
prayed for that redress, which his Majesty's gracious assurances signified by 
their governor, that the representations or propositions of the colc^nies would 
be attended to, led them to expect. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 161 

In England, the proceedings of the Americans were still viewed with great-TiT/ 
indignation by the King and his ministry. His Majesty, in his opening 
speech,* to a Parliament newly elected, declared, before intelligence had 
been received of the course of the Congress, " that a most daring spirit of 
resistance and disobedience to the laws unhappily prevailed in the province 
of Massachusetts, and had broken forth in fresh violences of a very criminal 
nature ; and that these proceedings had been countenanced and encouraged 
in his other colonies ; that unwarrantable attempts had been made to obstruct 
the commerce of his kingdoms by unlawful combinations; and that he had 
taken such measures, and given such orders, as he judged most proper and 
effectual for carrying into execution the laws, which were passed in the last 
session of the late Parliament, relative to the province of Massachusetts ; an 
address, echoing the royal speech, was carried by large majorities in both 
Houses of Parliament, but not without a spirited protest from some few lords 
of the minority. f 

XVII. The reception, in London, of the proceedings of Congress appeared 
to have a momentary beneficial effect upon their cause. The administration 
was staggered, and the opposition triumphed in the truth of their predictions, 
that the measures pursued by the ministry would unite all the colonies in re- 
sistance. The petition of Congress to the King was declared by the Secre- 
tary of State, after a day's perusal, to be decent and proper, and was received, 
graciously, by his Majesty, who promised to lay it before his two Houses of 
Parliament. But the ministry had resolved to compel the obedience of the 
Americans. Hence every representation from America, coming through 
channels other than ministerial partisans, was unwillingly received, and de- 
nied all credit. The remonstrances of the representatives of three millions 
of men, made under the most awful and affecting circumstances, and the 
most sacred responsibilities, were treated, perhaps believed, as the clamours 
of an unruly multitude. In vain did the merchants of London, Bristol, 
Glasgow, Norwich, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and other places, 
by petition, pourtray the evils which must result from such determination, 
and predict the dangers to the commercial interests of the kingdom : In vain 
did the planters of the sugar colonies, resident in Great Britain, represent, 
that the profits on British property in the West India islands, amounting to 
many millions, which ultimately centered in Great Britain, would be deranged 
and endangered by the continuance of the American troubles : In vain did 
the venerable Earl of Chatham, roused from a long retirement, by the dan- 
ger of losing these colonies, which his own measures had protected, and, 
seemingly, assured to the parent state, apply his comprehensive mind and 

. matchless eloquence to arrest the fatal course of the administration : In vain, 
from a prophetic view of events, did he demonstrate the impossibility of sub- 
jugating the colonies; and urge the immediate removal of the troops collect- 
ed by General Gage, at Boston, as a measure indispensably necessary to 
open the way for an adjustment of the differences with the provinces : In 

, vain, when undiscouraged by the rejection of the motion, did he propose a 
bill for settling the troubles in America. The period of American emancipa- 
tion had approached, and the power which might have delayed it, was pro- 
videntially stultified. 

XVIII. Both Houses of Parliament joined in an address to the King, de- 
claring " that they find a rebellion actually exists in the province of Massa- 
chusetts." This was followed by an act for restraining the ti-ade and com- 

* October 30th. 

f Richmond, Portland, Rockingham, Stamford, Stanhope, Torrington, Ponsonby, 
Wycombe, and Camden. 

X 



162 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Amerce of the New England provinces, and prohibiting them from carrying 
on the fisheries on the banks of Newfoundland, which was subsequently 
extended to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, 
and the counties on the Delaware. 

Pending the consideration of this bill. Lord North introduced what he 
termed a conciliatory proposition. It provided that when any colony should 
propose to make provision, according to its circumstances, for contributing 
its proportion to the common defence, (such proportion to be raised under 
the authority of the General Assembly of such colony, and disposable by 
Parliament,) and should engage to make provision also, for the support of 
the civil government, and the administration of justice in such colony ; 
it would be proper, if such proposal were approved by his Majesty and 
Parliament, and for so long as such provision should be made, to forbear 
to levy any duty or tax, except such duties as were expedient for the re- 
gulation of commerce ; the net produce of such duties to be carried to the 
account of such colony. This proposition was opposed by the friends of the 
minister, as an admission of the correctness of the American views as to 
taxation by Parliament, and as a concession to armed rebels ; until it was 
explained, that the resolution was designed to enforce the essential pai't of 
taxation, by compelling the Americans to raise, not only what they, but what 
Parliament, should think reasonable. The minister declared, " that he did 
not expect the proposition would be acceptable to the Americans ; but, that, 
if it had no beneficial effect in the colonies, it would unite the people of Eng- 
land by holding out to them a distinct object of revenue; that, as it tended 
to unite England, it would produce disunion in America ; for, if one colony 
accepted it, the confederacy, which made them formidable, would be 
broken." 

This avowal of the character and tendency of the resolution was not re- 
quisite to enlighten the colonists. On its transmission to the provinces, it 
was unanimously rejected. 

XIX. For the sole purpose of communicating this resolution. Governor 
Franklin convened the Assembly of New Jersey, at Burlington, on the 15th 
of May, 1775; when, by a long and elaborate speech, he sought to set it be- 
fore them, in a light, different from that in which it had been viewed by the 
Legislatures of the other colonies. Soon after the opening of the session, a 
circumstance occurred, illy adapted to prepare the House for any favourable 
impression from the governor. Mr. Tucker laid before the Assembly, a 
copy of " The Parhamentary Register, No. 5," containing, among other 
things, an extract of a letter, from Governor Franklin to the Earl of Dart- 
mouth, dated the 1st February, 1775, received February 28th; in which the 
governor represents the House as divided in their approbation of the proceed- 
ings of the late Congress. The House sent the governor a copy of the ex- 
tract, with a request, to be informed, whether it contained a true representa- 
tion of the words or substance of the letter written by him, relative to the 
proceedings of the last session of Assembly. His excellency complained of 
the course of the House, in entering the extract upon their minutes, and en- 
deavouring to inculpate him; but denied the correctness of the extract. 
The House was still dissatisfied, and referred his answer to a committee, to 
report thereon, at the next session, when the matter was suffered to fall, 
without further notice. Under the excitement produced by this affair, the 
House replied to the governor's address, delivered at the opening of the 
session. 

" As the continental Congress," they said, " is now sitting, to consider of 
the present critical situation of American affairs, and as this House has al- 
ready appointed delegates for that purpose, we should have been glad that 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY- 163 

your excellency had postponed the present meeting, until their opinion could jS* 
be had upon the resolution now offered for our consideration, and to which 
we have no doubt a proper attention will be paid; more especially, as we 
cannot suppose you to entertain a suspicion, that the present House has the 
least design to desei-t the common cause, in which all America appears both 
deeply interested, and firmly united, so far as separately and without the 
advice of a body, in which all are represented, to adopt a measure of so 
much importance. Until this opinion be known, we can only give your 
excellency our present sentiments, being fully of the opinion, that we shall 
pay all proper respect to, and abide by the united voice of the Congress on 
the present occasion." * * * * * " We confess that your excellency has put 
a construction on the proposition which appears to us to be new, and if we 
could be of the opinion that the resolution ' holds no proposition beyond the 
avowal of the justice, the equity, and the propriety of subjects of the same 

> state, contributing according to their abilities and situation to the public bur- 
dens,' and did not convey to us the idea of submitting the disposal of all our 
property to others, in whom we have no choice, it is more than probable, that 
we should gladly embrace the opportunity of settling this unhappy dispute." 

" Most Assemblies on the continent have, at various times, acknowledged 
and declared to the world their willingness, not only to defray the charge of 
the administi'ation of justice and the support of the civil government, but also 
to contribute, as they have hitherto done, when constitutionally called upon, 
to every reasonable and necessary expense for the defence, protection, and 
security of the whole English empire ; and this colony in particular, hath 
always complied with his Majesty's requisitions for these purposes : And we do 
assure your excellency, that we shall always be ready, according to our abili- 
ties and to the utmost of our power, to maintain the interest of his Majesty and 
of the parent state. If, then, your excellency 's construction be right, and if a 
* proposal of this nature,' will, as you are pleased to inform us, be received 
by his Majesty with every possible indulgence, we have hopes, that the decla- 
ration we now make, will be looked on by his Majesty and his ministers, not 
only to be similar to what is required from us, but also to be, " a basis of a 
• negotiation, on which the present differences may be accommodated — an 
event which we most ardently wish for." 

" We have considered the resolution of the House of Commons. We would 
not wish to come to a determination, that might be justly called precipitate, 
in the present alarming situation of affairs. But if we mistake not, this reso- 
lution contains no new proposal. It appears to us to be the same with one 
made to the colonies, the year preceding the passage of the stamp act. Ame- 
rica then did not comply with it ; and though we are sincerely disposed to 
make use of all proper means to obtain the favour of his Majesty and the 

> Parliament of Great Britain, yet we cannot in our present opinion, comply 
with a proposition, which we really apprehend to give up the privileges of 
freemen ; nor do we want any time to consider, whether we shall submit to 
that, which, in our apprehension, will reduce us and our constituents to a 
state little better than that of slavery." 

" By the resolution now offered, if assented to, we think we shall be to all 
. intents and purposes, as fully and effectually taxed by our fellow subjects, in 
Great Britain, where we have not any representation, as by any of the late 
acts of the British Parliament, under which we have been aggrieved, of which 
we have complained, and from which we have prayed to be relieved; and 
that, too, in a much greater degree perhaps, than by all those acts put to- 
gether. We cannot consent to subject the property of our constituents to be 
taken away for services and uses, of the propriety of which Ave have no right 
to judge, while to us, are only left the ways and means of raising the money. 



164 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

IfWe have always thought and contended, that, we had a right to disposeqf 
our property ourselves, and we have always cheerfully yielded our assistance 
to his Majesty in that way, when the exigencies of" affairs required us so to 
do, and he has condescended to ask it of us. At this pei'iod we cannot form 
any judgment, either of the extent of the proposition, or of the consequences 
in which the good people of the colony may be involved, by our assent to a 
provision so indeterminate, for it appears to us to be impossible to judge what 
proportion or share the people can bear, until we know what situation they 
will be in, when any sum is intended to be raised." 

" Upon the whole, though sincerely desirous to give every mark of duty 
and attachment to the King, and to show all due reverence to the Parliament, 
we cannot, consistently, with our real sentiments, and the trust reposed 
in us, assent to a proposal big with consequences destructive to the public 
welfare, and hope that the justice of our parent country will not permit us to 
be driven into a situation, the prospect of which fills us with anxiety and 
horror." 

If the governor really supposed that he could prevail on the colony over 
which he presided to separate from the union, he had egregiously mistaken 
his power ; but he laboured so earnestly to effect this object, that his defeat 
should not, and did not lessen his claim upon the favour of his royal master. 
He observed, however, that his labour was in vain, and had the good sense 
to retire from further contest by a short and moderate rejoinder. 

Congress had fixed on the month of May, for their next meeting, that 
the disposition of the parent state might be known previously to their deli- 
berations. They entertained hopes, that their re-assembling might be un- 
necessary; that the union of the colonies, their petition to the King, and 
address to the people of Great Britain, might lead to the redress of their 
grievances. But these flattering delusions now gave place to the stern and 
gloomy truth, that their rights must be defended by the sword, their quarrel 
be determined by the god of battles. For this appeal, the colonies, generally 
prepared, as soon as the proceedings of Parliament, and the resolution of the 
ministry to send out additional troops were known. Means were every 
where taken to organize and instruct the militia, and to procure arms and 
munitions of war. 

XXI. The New Jersey committee of correspondence appointed by the 
convention, met at New Brunswick on the second of May, 1775; when 
taking into consideration the alarming and very extraordinary conduct of 
the British ministry for executing the acts of Parliament, as also the several 
acts of hostility which had been actually commenced for this purpose by the 
regular forces under General Gage, they directed their chairman, imme- 
diately, to call a second provincial convention, to meet at Ti'enton on the 
23d of May, to consider and determine on such matters as should then come 
before them.* 

This important body met at the time and place appointed, and elected 
Hendrick Fisher their president, Samuel Tucker, vice-president, Jonathan 
D. Sergeant, Secretary, and William Patterson, and Frederick Freling- 
hausen, his assistants. On the resignation of Mr. Sergeant, soon after, Mr. 
Patterson was chosen principal, and Mr. Frclinghausen deputy secretary. 

Under a deep and religious sense of the responsibility they had assumed, 
the members of the Convention declared, that, " Inasmuch as the business 
on which this Congress are now assembled, and is likely to engage their de- 
liberation, appears to be of the highest moment, and may, in the event, affect 
the lives and properties, the religion and the liberties of their constituents, 

* See Appendix, note CC, for the names of the members. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 165 

and of their I'emotest posterity, it unquestionably becomes the representative 
body of a Christian community, to look up to that all powerful Being, by 
whose providence all human events are guided, humbly imploring his divine 
favour, in presiding over, and directing their present councils, towards the 
re-establishment of order and harmony between Great Britain and her dis- 
tressed colonies; and that he would be graciously pleased to succeed the 
measures that may be devised as most conducive to these desirable ends : It 
is, therefore, ordered, that the president do wait on the ministers of the 
gospel in this town, and in behalf of this Congress, request their alternate 
attendance and service, every morning at eight o'clock, during the session, in 
order, that, the business of the day may be opened with prayer for the above 
purposes." 

The president opened to the Congress, the important occasion of their meet- 
ing, recommending the utmost deliberation in determining on the measures 
to be pursued in the defence of their rights and privileges, to which, by their 
happy constitution, the inhabitants of the province were justly entitled, and 
that due care might be taken to support the established civil authority, (so 
far as might consist with the preservation of their fundamental liberties) for 
the maintenance of good order and the undisturbed administration of justice. 
The restriction, which regard for " the established civil authority," imposed 
on the power of the Congress, was, indeed, very inconsiderable. For the 
Convention, reflecting the majesty of the people, assumed as occasion re- 
quired, the full power of all the branches of government. 

They proceeded, to take into consideration the unhappy contest betv/een 
Great Britain and the colonies, which they determined was of such a na- 
ture, and had reached such a crisis, that the Convention had become abso- 
lutely necessary, to provide such ways and means for the security of the 
province as the exigencies of the times require : and at the same time de- 
clared, that they had assembled with the profoundest veneration for the per- 
son and family of his sacred majesty, George III., firmly professing all due 
allegiance to his rightful authority and government. And as a majority of 
the members of the Legislature, convened at Amboy, in the preceding Janua- 
ry, had been instructed by their constituents, to appoint deputies to the Con- 
gress, and some of the counties had omitted so to instruct their representa- 
tives, who, notwithstanding, had cordially joined in such appointment, the 
Convention approved the nomination, and rendered thanks to the House, for 
the regard they had shown for the rights and liberties of the province, in 
timely adopting the continental association, and resolving in favour of the 
resolutions and proceedings of the continental Congress. But the Conven- 
tion, also, resolved, that whenever a continental Congress should again be 
■ necessary, that it would be most eligible, for the inhabitants of each county, 
to apoint deputies for the purpose of electing delegates. 

On the twenty-fifth of May, a written message was addressed to the conti- 
nental Congress, then, in session at Philadelphia, declaring that the provincial 
Congress was convened " with dispositions most heartily to concur, to the 
utmost of their abilities, in the common cause of America, but that they did 
not deem it advisable to enter into any measures of consequence, until some 
general plan had been adopted by the general Congress : That, in this first 
instance of such an assembly in the colony, without precedent for their 
direction, and anxiously desirous to make their provincial measures con- 
sistent with that plan, they deemed it necessary, by a special deputation, to 
request such advice and assistance as the Congress might be disposed to 
give.* This deputation reported on the thirtieth, that the Congress was not, 

* This committee consisted of William P. Smith and Elias Boudinot. 



166 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

then, prepared to give any advice upon the state of the province, but promised 
due attention to the request. 

The Convention adopted the following form of association, which they 
directed to be sent to the committees of observation or correspondence in the 
several counties, which had not already associated in a similar manner, in 
order that it might be signed by the inhabitants. 

" We, the subscinbers, freeholders and inhabitants of the township of 
in the county of and province of New Jersey, having 

long viewed with concern, the avowed design of the ministry of Great 
Britain to raise a revenue in America; being deeply atfecled with the cruel 
hostilities, already commenced in the Massachusetts Bay, for carrying that 
arbitrary design into execution; convinced that the preservation of the 
rights and privileges of America depends, under God, on the firm union of 
its inhabitants; do, with hearts abhorring slavery, and ardently wishing 
for a reconciliation with our parent state, on constitutional principles, 
solemnly associate and resolve, under the sacred ties of virtue, honour, 
and love to our country, that we will, personally, and so far as our in- 
fluence extends, endeavour to support and carry into execution, whatever 
measures may be recommended by the continental and our provincial 
Congress, for defending our constitution and preserving the same inviolate. 
We do, also, further associate and agree, as far as shall be consistent 
with the measures adopted for the preservation of American freedom, to 
support the magistrates and other civil officers in the execution of their 
duty, agreeable to the laws of this colony, and to observe the direction of 
our committee, acting according to the resolutions of the continental and pro- 
vincial Congresses; firmly determined, by all means in our power, to guard 
against those disorders and confusions to which the peculiar circumstances 
of the times may expose us." Surely, no more effectual mode could have 
been devised, of subjecting a people to the will of their leaders, than this 
association and its written pledge. Happily, the leaders and the people had 
the same interest, which the former steadily pursued. 

Mr. Pierpoint Edwards, having been deputed from Connecticut to New 
Jersey, for the purpose of obtaining intelligence of the true state of the pro- 
vince, and to communicate the actual condition of his own, the Convention 
gave their state and purposes as we have detailed them; and they, also, 
opened a correspondence with the provincial Congress of New York. 

The organization of the military force was, in every colony, an object of 
the first importance, and received from the provincial Congress of New 
Jersey, due attention. One or more companies of eighty men, each, were 
directed to be formed in each township or corporation, from the male inha- 
bitants between sixteen and fifty years of age, under the supervision of the 
respective committees, with power to elect their commissioned officers : The 
officers of the companies determined the number which should form a regi- 
ment, and named the officers. And as the inhabitants of Morris, Sussex, 
and Somerset counties, had made spirited exertions in raising minute men, 
pledged to march to any point of the country whenever called on, the Con- 
gress approved their conduct, and voted their thanks. 

In order to raise the necessary funds, the convention imposed a tax of ten 
thousand pounds, which they apportioned, specifically, among the several 
counties ; and each county quota was apportioned among the townships, by 
the township committees, according to the act of Assembly, settling the quotas 
of the several counties, to be collected by agents nominated by the township 
committees, and to be paid to the treasurer of the county committees. Then, 
after appointing a committee of their body, any three of whom, together with 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 167 

the president or vice-president, were empowered to convoke them, the Con- 
gress adjourned, upon the 3d day of June, after a session of eleven days. 

XXll. Before the continental Congress again met,* hostilities between the 
colonists and the British troops in America, had commenced. The battle of 
Lexington was fought,f — and Ticonderoga captured ;:]: — and soon after, the 
ever memorable engagement at Breed's Hill,§ gave confidence to the colo- 
nists ; and the British army, under General Gage, was besieged in Boston, 
instead of contending against orations of ministers, votes and acts of Parlia- 
ment, by petition and remonstrance, addresses and resolutions. Congress was 
now to be employed, in developing the resources and directing the energies 
of the colonies, to resist the military power of Great Britain. 

Peyton Randolph was again chosen president, but being in a kw days 
called to his duties, as speaker of the house of burgesses, of Virginia, Mr. 
John Hancock, of Boston, was unanimously elected his successor. Mr. 
Charles Thomi)son was re-appointed secretary. The leading patriots had 
long Ibreseen, that, the controversy must be decided by arms ; yet they were 
'anxious, that the odium of the war should fall on their oppressors. Care 
was, therefore, taken, to show that the royal troops had been the aggressors 
at Lexington ; and the inhabitants of New York were advised to act, defen- 
sively, on the arrival of British troops there ; to permit the forces to remain in 
barracks, but to sutler no fortifications to be erected, nor the communication 
between the town and country to be impeded. To this cause, we must also 
assign the resolution of Congress ascribing the capture of Ticonderoga, to 
the imperious necessity of resisting a cruel invasion from Canada, planned 
■ and commenced by the ministry. 

, Congress promptly proceeded to further measures of offence and defence. 
They prohibited exports to such parts of British America, as had not joined 
the confederacy — forbade the supply of provisions, or other necessaries, to 
the English fisheries on the coast, to the army and navy in Massachusetts, 
and to vessels employed in transporting British troops and munitions of war; 
and interdicted the negotiation of bills of exchange, drawn by British officers, 
agents or contractors, and the advance of money to them, on any terms what- 
ever. To secure the colonies against the forcible execution of the lafe ob- 
noxious acts of Parliament, they resolved, to put them immediately in a state 
of defence; recommending to them, severally, to provide the munitions of 
war — to prepare the militia; so classing them, that a fourth of their number 
might be drawn into action, at a minute's warning; and to form a corps for 
continual service ; — authorizing each colony, apprehensive of attack, to levy 
one thousand regulars at the expense of the confederacy. They organized 
the higher departments of the army, framed regulations for its government, 
and issued three millions of dollars, in bills of credit, for its maintenance. 
They prepared an address to the army and the people, reviewing the conduct 
of Great Britain, exposing the enormity of her pretensions, exhibiting the 
dreadful alternative she had created, of unconditional submission, or resist- 
ance by arms, and asserting the justice of their cause, the competency of the 
means to maintain it, and their fixed determination to employ, at every 
hazard, the utmost energy of the powers granted them by their Creator, for 
the preservation of their liberties. This spirit-stirring manifesto closed with 
the following solemn protestation. — " In our native land, in defence of the 
freedom which is our birth-right, and which we ever enjoyed, until the late 
violation of it, for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the 
honest industry of our forefathers, and ourselves, against violence actually 

* 10th May, 1775. t lOth April. 

t 9th May. § June 17th, 1775. 



168 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

offered, we have taken up arms; we shall lay them down when hostilities 
shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being re- 
moved, and not before." 

XXIII. Under other circumstances, the selection of a commander-in-chief, 
amid opposing pretensions, would have been exceedingly ditficult. The 
individual best fitted for this important trust was now a delegate in Con- 
gress, and had embarked a high character and splendid fortune, with his life, 
in the perilous contest. Of mature age, and advantageously known to all 
British America, by his military talents, sound judgment, firm temper, spot- 
less integrity, and dignified person and demeanour, there could not exist a 
single personal objection to his nomination. The middle and southern dis- 
tricts possessed no man having superior claims to public confidence; and if 
the northern had a preference for an individual of their own section, policy 
and gratitude required its sacrifice. The delegates of Massachusetts, there- 
fore, nominated Colonel George Washington, of Virginia, who was unani- 
mously appointed commander-in-chief of the united colonies.* His com- 
mission, revocable by Congress, invested him with " full power and autho- 
rity to act as he should think for the good and welfare of the service;" 
subject to the rules of war and the orders of Congress. By a resolution, 
simultaneous with his appointment, Congress declared, " that for the main- 
tenance and preservation of American liberty, they would adhere to him 
with their lives and fortunes." The reply of Mr. Washington, to the an- 
nunciation of his appointment, by the president of Congress, was marked by 
that modesty, disinterestedness, and devotion to duty, which eminently dis- 
tinguished him. As no pecuniary motive had excited him to assume the 
dangerous honour, he declined all compensation for services that were in- 
estimable; declaring that he would accept only the reimbursement of his 
expenses. 

Soon after the nomination of the commander-in-chief, Congress created 
and filled the offices of subordinate generals. Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, 
Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam, were appointed major-generals, ranking 
in the order we have named them ; Horatio Gates, adjutant-general ; and 
Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, 
Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathaniel Greene, 
brigadiers. 

XXIV. Although determined to resist to the uttermost the tyranny of the 
parent state, the colonies had given no public indication of their desire to be- 
come independent of her government. Many provincialists, certainly, looked 
to political independence as the possible result of the contest; some, perhaps, 
wished and sought it, but none avowed such wishes. The American people 
were proud of their derivation, and exulted in their connexion with Great 
Britain. Some of their most distinguished patriots could under no circum- 
stances, resolve to break the bonds which bound them to her. It was cha- 
ractei'istic, therefore, that, amid warlike preparations, renewed attempts 
should be made to propitiate the British government and people. Another 
petition to the King was, however, opposed by several members of the 
Congress, from a conviction that it would prove nugatory. But the influ- 
ence of Mr. Dickenson, by whom it was proposed and written, procured its ' 
adoption. 

This address, replete with professions of duty and attachment, declared, 
that " the provincialists not only most fervently desired the former harmony ' 
between Great Britain and the colonies to be restored, but that a concord 
might be established between them upon so firm a basis, as to perpetuate its 

* June 15th, 1775. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 169 

blessings, uninterrupted by any future dissentions, to succeeding generations 
in both countries. They, therefore, besought his Majesty to direct some 
mode by which the united applications of his faithful colonists to the throne, 
in pursuance of their common counsels, might be improved to a happy and 
permanent reconciliation. These sincere professions of three millions of his 
subjects, were contemptuously treated by the King. The petition was pre- 
sented through the secretary for American affairs, on the first of Septem- 
ber, by Messrs. Richard Penn and Henry Lee; and on the fourth, Lord 
Dartmouth informed them, that " to it no answer would be given." And in 
a speech from the throne, the colonists were accused of designing " to amuse, 
by vague expressions of attachment to the parent state, and the strongest 
protestations of loyalty to their King, while they were preparing for a ge- 
neral revolt; and their rebellious war was manifestly carried on for the 
purpose of establishing an independent empire." Contumely so unwise and 
undeserved, served but to confirm the scrupulous in America, in the course 
of resistance — removing the faintest hope of redress by the humble and 
pacific means of petition and remonstrance. 

Whilst resorting to arms, respect for the opinions of their fellow subjects 
induced Congress to make an exposition of their motives in addresses to the 
inhabitants of Great Britain, to the people of Ireland, and to the Assembly of 
Jamaica. They also published a declaration to the world, setting forth the 
necessity of assuming arms, and recapitulating the injuries they had sustain- 
.ed. " We are," they said, " reduced to the alternative of choosing an un- 
conditional submission to the tyranny of irritated ministers, or resistance by 
force. The latter is our choice. We have counted the cost of this contest, 
and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery." 

General Washington, immediately after his appointment to the chief com- 
mand, repaired to the army before Boston. With incredible difficulty he 
was enabled to maintain a show of force, which confined the British troops 
to that town from the month of June, 1775, until the month of March follow- 
ing, when the Americans, having seized and fortified Dorchester Heights, 
which overlooked and commanded the place. General Howe, who had suc- 
ceeded General Gage,* abandoned it, and sailed with his command for 
Halifax. 

The capture of Ticonderoga had opened the gates of Canada, and the im- 
petuous spirit of Colonel Arnold was eager to enter them. At his instance, 
Congress resolved to invade that province ; and from the unprepared state of 
its defence, and the friendly disposition of its inhabitants, well founded hopes 
were entertained of success. This step, which changed the character of the 
war from defensive to offensive, was justified by the obvious propriety of de- 
priving the enemy, for such the parent state was now considered, of the 
means of assailing the colonies from that quarter. The command of this en- 
terprise was given to Generals Schuyler and Montgomery. The former, 
however, soon retired, in consequence of ill health. The latter, with a force 
of one thousand men, having captured the fort at Chamblee, and the post of 
St. Johns, proceeded to Montreal in despite of the opposing efforts of General 
Carlton, governor of the province ; and, having obtained at this place many 
necessary supplies, led his gallant little army to the walls of Quejjec. 

During the progress of General Montgomery, Colonel Arnold, with bold- 
ness and perseverance rarely surpassed, conducted a detachment to the St. 
Lawrence, by an unexplored course along the Kennebeck and Chaudiere 
rivers, through a trackless desert of three hundred miles. His force origi- 
nally consisted of one thousand men, one-third of whom were compelled to 

* October lOtb. 



170 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

return by the want of necessaries. The remainder persevered with unabated 
resolution ; surmounting every obstacle of mountain and forest ; progressing 
at times, not more than five miles a day ; whilst so destitute of provisions, that 
some of the men ate their dogs, cartouch boxes, breeches and shoes. When 
distant a hundred miles from any habitation, their whole store was divided, 
yielding only four pints of flour per man ; and after having bailed and eaten 
their last morsel, they had thirty miles to travel before they could expect 
relief. After a march of thirty-one days, they reached the inhabited parts 
of Canada, where they were kindly received, and their wants supplied by the 
astonished natives. 

Before Montgomery attained Montreal, Arnold had reached Point Levy, 
opposite Quebec; and had it been possible lor the latter to cross the St. 
Lawrence, that important place would, probably, have been, immediately, sur- 
rendered by the astonished and aflrighted garrison. But the want of boats 
occasioned an indispensable delay of a few days, and the inhabitants, 
English and Canadians, alarmed for their property, united for its defence. 

The prospects of the Americans, however, were not desperate. The inhabi- 
tants of Canada, many of whom were from the colonies of New England 
and New York, were friendly to the colonial cause, and excited by the wis- 
dom and humanity of General Montgomery, gave the most efficient aid. 
The united American forces laid siege to Quebec, but the paucity of their 
number forbade any just expectations of reducing the place, unless by a 
coup de main. General Montgomery was induced, by various considera- 
tions, to attempt it by storm. The depth of winter was approaching ; dissen- 
tions had arisen between Arnold and his oilicers ; the specie of the military 
chest was exhausted, and the continental bills were uncurrent; the troops, 
wofn by toil, were exposed to the severities of the season ; the term for 
which many had enlisted was near expiring, and their departure for home 
was apprehended ; and the brilliant success that had hitherto attended them 
had excited hopes, which their high-spirited and enthusiastic commander 
dreaded to disappoint. He was not unaware of the danger and hazard of such 
an attempt. Governor Carlton, who commanded in Quebec, was an expe- 
rienced and able soldier; and the garrison, provided with every thing neces- 
sary for defence, daily acquired firmness. But success had often crowned 
adventures more hopeless than that which he proposed ; and the triumph of 
Wolfe, on this very field, taught him, that to the brave and resolute, difficult 
things were not impossibilities. 

The escalade of the town was made with a force of less than eight hun- 
dred men.* Two feints were directed, one by Colonel Livingston, at the 
head of his regiment of Canadian auxiliaries, the other by Major Brown ; the 
principal attacks were conducted by Montgomery and Ai'nold, in person. 
The former advancing against the lower town, had passed the first barrier, 
and was preparing to storm the second, when he was killed by the discharge 
of a cannon fired by the last of its retreating defenders. His death so dispi- 
rited the assailants, that Colonel Campbell, on whom the command devolved,' 
thought proper to draw them off. Arnold, at the head of about three hun- 
dred and fifty men, with irresistible impetuosity, carried a two gun battery ; 
but in the conflict, receiving a wound from a musket ball, which shattered 
his leg, he was compelled to quit the field. His party continued the assault, 
and mastered a second barrier. But, after a contest for three hours with the 
greater part of the garrison, finding themselves hemmed in, without hopes of 
success, relief, or retreat, they yielded themselves prisoners. This issue, so 
unfortunate for the colonists, relieved the town from all apprehensions for its 

* December 31st, 1775. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. ITt 

safety ; the invaders being so much weakened as to be scarce competent to 
their own defence. iVrnoId encamped at three miles distance from Quebec, 
and maintained his position amid many (hfficulties and great privations, until 
the spring, when he was joined by reinforcements. 

The fall of General Montgomery was deplored by friends and foes. He 
was an Irishman by birth, and though scarce thirty-eight years of age, 
a veteran soldier. He had shared in the labours and triumph of Wolte; 
was distinguished for talent and military genius, and blessed with a mild and 
constant temper, and dauntless courage. The highest honours of his profes- 
sion awaited liim in the British service. These he abandoned for the enjoy- 
ments of domestic happiness in the country of his adoption. But, devoted to 
freedom, he engaged enthusiastically in defence of the American cause, and 
by his early successes in the Canadian campaign, induced the highest antici- 
pations of future greatness. In Parliament, his worth was acknowledged, 
and his fate lamented ; the minister himself joined in his praise, whilst con- 
demning the cause in which he fell, and concluded his involuntary panegyric, 
in the language of the poet, crying, " Curse on his virtues, they've undone 
his country." In Congress he was mourned as a martyr to liberty, and by 
their direction a marble monument, of beautiful simplicity, with emblematical 
devices, has been erected to his memory, in front of St. Paul's church. New 
•York. 

XXVI. The provincial Congress of New Jersey re-assembled on the fifth 
of August, 1775, and engaged in devising further means for the collection 
of the tax they had imposed and for the organization of the militia. They 
directed fifty-four companies, each of sixty-four minute men, to be organized, 
allotting to each county a specific number, and assigning the duty of ap- 
pointing their officers to the respective county committees. The minute 
men entered into the following engagement : " We, the subscribers, do vo- 
luntarily enlist ourselves as minute men in the company of 
in the county of And do promise to hold ourselves in constant 

readiness, on the shortest notice, to march to any place where our assistance 
may be required, for the defence of this and any neighbouring colony ; as 
also to pay due obedience to the commands of our officers, agreeable to the 
rules and orders of the continental Congres, or the provincial Congress of 
New Jersey, or during its recess, of the committee of safe^ty." These troops 
were formed into ten battalions ; in Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, 
Somerset, Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon, and Burlington, one each; in Glou- 
cester and Salem one, whilst in the counties of Cumberland and Cape May 
were independent light infantry and rangers: — They took precedence of the 
other militia, and were entitled to be relieved at the end of four months, 
unless in actual service. Congress, also, resolved, that two brigadier-gene- 
rals should be appointed, but named, at the time, only Mr. Philemon Dicken- 
son to that command. Mr. Livingston soon after received the other com- 
mission. And as there were a number of people within the province, 
whose peculiar religious principles did not allow them, in any case to 
bear arms — the Congress declared, that they intended no violence to con- 
science; and, therefore, earnestly recommended it to such persons to con- 
tribute the more liberally, in these times of universal calamity, to the relief 
of tiieir distressed brethren; and to do all other services to their oppressed 
country, consistent with their religious profession. 

But the chief measure of the provincial Congress was the perpetuation of 
the authority which they had assumed. To this end they resolved, that, 
" Whereas, it is highly expedient, at a time when this province is likely to 
be involved in all the horrors of civil war, and when it has become abso- 
lutely necessary to increase the burden of taxes, already laid on the good 



172 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

people of this colony, for the just defence of their invaluable rights and privi- 
leges, that the inhabitants thereof should have frequent opportunities of re- 
newing their choice and approljation of the representatives in provincial 
Congress : — Therefore, the inhabitants in each county, qualified to vote for 
representatives in General Assembly, shall meet together, (at places desig- 
nated) on the twenty-first day of September next, and elect, not exceeding 
five substantial freeholders as deputies, with full power to represent such 
county in provincial Congress to be holden at Trenton on the third of Octo- 
ber next: — That during the continuance of the present unhappy disputes 
between Great Britain and America, there be a new choice of deputies in 
every county, yearly, on the third Thursday of September : — That on the 
said Thursday in every year, such inhabitants shall choose a sufficient num- 
ber of freeholders to constitute a county committee of observation and cor- 
respondence, with full power as well, to superintend and direct the necessary 
business of the county, as to carry into execution the resolutions and orders 
of the continental and provincial Congresses : — That the inhabitants of each 
township, so qualified, do immediately choose a sufficient number of free- 
holders to constitute a township committee, and that on the second Tuesday 
of March, thereafter, they make a like choice, to act as committee of observa- 
tion and correspondence, in the townships, respectively, with power within 
their precincts, similar to that conferred upon the county committees. 

Having appointed Jonathan D. Sergeant their treasurer, and a committee of 
safety to exercise their powers during the recess, the Congress adjourned to 
the twentieth day of the ensuing September,* at which session no important 
matters seem to have occurred. The Congress, elected in September, con- 
vened in October, when they were employed chiefly in modifying the ordi- 
nance for regulating the militia, and in collecting and preparing the scanty 
stock of munitions of war which the country contained. At their rising, this 
Congress, also, appointed a committee of safety from among themselves, 
who, in the vacation, continued the measures for the defence of the country. 
They called before them persons accused of disaffection to the American 
cause, fined, imprisoned, or held them to bail, as they deemed meet; and 
where the accused was an officer of the government, they suspended him 
from the exercise of his functions. But having received several communica- 
tions from tiie continental Congress, relative to raising of additional force 
for the general service, the establishment of a court of admiralty, and regu- , 
lations tor the continental troops, raised in the colonies, they summoned the 
provincial Congress to meet at New Brunswick, on the thirty-first of Ja-' 
nuary-t 

The procurement of arms and munitions was a labour of very great diffi- 
culty. The policy of the continent, in its anterior warfare with the ministry, 
having prohibited importation, the whole country was bare of these indis- 
pensable agents of war; and to equip even one battalion, that of Colonel 

* Names of committee of safety — Hendrick Fisher, Samuel Tucker, Isaac Pearson, 
John Hart, Jonathan D. Sergeant, Azariah Dunham, Peter Schenk, Enos Kelsey, 
Joseph Borden, Frederick Freelinghausen, and John Schurman. — Min. of Convention. 
This committee was changed, by the Congress holden in Trenton, in October. But I 
have not been able to find tlie minutes of the sessions of the provincial Congress of , 
September and October, 1775. The proceedings, then had, do not seem to have been 
considered important, since they were not printed, so far as my researches have ena- 
bled me to dicover. The following are the names of the committee of safety ap- 
pointed in October; at least of such as attended the session of January 10th, 1770; the 
proceedings of which have been published, viz. Samuel Tucker, president, Hendrick 
Fisher, vice-president, Abraham" Clark, secretary, Azariah Dunham, Ruloffe Van- 
dyke, John Dennis, Augustine Stevenson, John Pope, John Hart, Joseph Holmes. 

t See Appendix, note D D, for the names of tlie members of provincial Congress, 
elected in September, 1775. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 173 

Maxwell, ordered to march to Canada, the provincial Congress was com- 
pelled to apply to the county committees, and to appeal to the patriotism of 
individuals. 

On the sixth of February, 1776, the Convention made a new appointment 
of delegates, to the continental Congress, for the current year, consisting of 
William Livingston, John de Hart, Richard Smith, John Cooper, and Jona- 
than Dickenson Sergeant, who, or any three of them, were empowered to 
agree to all measures which such Congress might deem necessary, and 
in case of the adjournment of the continental Congress, to represent the pro- 
vince in any other such Congress as might assemble during their delegation. 
The thanks of the Convention were given to their late representatives. 

This Congress, like its predecessors, exercised the whole power of the 
state, assuming control over its funds, and directing its physical energies. A 
first measure was an endeavour to protect such points as they deemed most 
exposed to the forces from the British fleet ; which, under the supposition, 
that New York was adequately defended, they believed to be Perth Am- 
boy, and Swedesborough on the Delaware. For this object the conti- 
nental Congress was solicited to take into pay two battalions and two com- 
panies of artillery; but Congress were unable to do more than order the 
procurement of twelve pieces of small cannon, and to engage for the mainte- 
nance of two companies of artillery, which were raised by the province. An 
ordinance was passed modifying the form of association, and delaring, that, 
though it was not the design of the Congress to offer violence to conscience, 
yet it was highly necessary, that all the inhabitants should associate, so far as 
their religious principles would permit ; and, therefore, directing, that all per- 
sons, whose religious principles would not suffer them to bear arms, and to 
sign the general association, might sign it with the following proviso. " I 
agree to the above association, as far as the same is consistent with my reli- 
gious principles." All persons refusing to sign this modified form, were 
to be disarmed, to give security for their peaceable conduct, and pay the 
expenses attending thereon. The township and county committees were 
charged with the execution of this ordinance, and appeal by a party aggrieved 
was permitted from the township, to the county, committee, and from the latter 
to the Congress. These committees were also empowered to confine any 
person, notwithstanding his offer of security, whose freedom might prove 
dangerous to the common cause. It was further declared, that all such 
persons, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, who should not attend, 
properly accoutred, and bear arms, on the times appointed for the general 
muster of the militia, should pay ten shillings for each default, to be reco- 
vered by warrant of distress. And in order to encourage enlistment into the 
service of the United Colonies, the Congress granted to the soldiers, exemption 
of person and goods from execution for small debts, and to pi'ocure a sup- 
ply of nitre and common salt, they established a bounty on the manufacture 
of both articles. 

The impending invasion of New York, filled that city with alarm, and 
many of its inhabitants actuated by various motives, disposed themselves in 
the neighbouring counties of New Jersey. So numerous was this emigration 
that the provincial Congress, doubting, whether it was caused by cowardice 
or cunning, passed an ordinance to repress it. — Providing, that " whereas, 
large numbers of people are daily removing from the neighbouring colonies 
into New Jersey, and it being unknown upon what principles such removals 
are occasioned, whether to seek an asylum from ministerial oppression, or 
the resentment of their injured country, to whom they may have become ob- 
noxious, by adhering to the present system of tyranny, now endeavouring to 
be executed in America ; and it being inconsistent with the principles of per- 



174 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

sons, properly attached to the cause of liberty, to desert thoir town or county 
at a time their assistance may be absolutely necessary for its defence, unless 
the support and maintenance of their families may make such removal neces- 
sary — This Congress, therefore, think it advisable, that, although the inha- 
bitants of this colony ought most cheerfully, to receive into their protection, 
and aflbrd all the relief in their power, to all such as are helpless, and unable 
to defend themselves, yet they ought to prevent the desertion of places in 
immediate danger of attack from the enemy, by all who are proper to re- 
main for the defence thereof, and also to prevent persons inimical to the 
liberties for which the United States are contending, from taking refuge in 
this province — For remedy whereof, they resolved, that all persons proper 
to bear arms, who had removed, or should remove into the colony from any 
city or county of another province, in danger of being suddenly attacked, 
should immediately return to make that defence, becoming every good citi- 
zen, unless they should produce permits from the committee of the precinct, 
from whence they removed, to reside in this colony, or unless such residence 
appeared necessary for the support of the resident's family, or he had no 
visible means of support whence he came, and could procure such support 
by his industry in this colony. And they further resolved, that all suspected 
persons removing into the colony, should be immediately returned to the 
place whence they came, unless their detention as delinquents should be 
proper; or unless they produced certificates from the committee of the 
precinct, from which they came, that they had signed the association recom- 
mended by Congress, and had not subsequently contravened it." The execu- 
tion of this ordinance was consigned to the several county and township 
committees. 

Some irregularities having taken place in the election of the existing Con- 
gress, this body resolved to dissolve itself, and to direct the election of another, 
on the fourth Monday of May, following, and thence annually ; and repealing' 
a former ordinance, they passed one, for that purpose, in which the right 
to vote was extended to all persons, who having signed the general associa- 
tion, were of full age, had resided immediately preceding the election, for the 
space of one year, in the colony, and were worth fifty pounds in personal 
estate. 

XXVII. Governor Franklin convened the Legislature on the 16th of No- 
vember, 1775, that they might have an opportunity of transacting such busi- 
ness as the public exigencies required. In his opening address he observed. 
" Having lately said so much to you, concerning the present unhappy situa- 
tion of public affairs, and the destructive measures which have been adopted 
in the colonies under the pretence of necessity ; and as I do not see, that the 
urging any more arguments on that head has a chance of producing any 
good effect, I shall not endanger the harmony of the present session by a 
further discussion of the subject." He proceeded, however, to inform them 
from his instructions, " That his Majesty laments to find his subjects in Ame- 
rica, so lost to their own true interests, as neither to accept the resolution of 
the House of Commons of the 20th of February, nor make it the basis of a 
negotiation, when, in all probability, it would have led to some plan of ac- 
commodation, and that, as they have preferred engaging in a rebellion, which 
menaces to overthrow the constitution, it becomes his Majesty's duty, and is 
his firm resolution, that the most vigorous efforts should be made, both by 
sea and land to reduce his rebellious subjects to obedience. But it is hoped, 
that unfavourable as the prospects are at present, the time will come, when 
men of sense, and friends to peace and good order will see the fatal conse- 
quences of the delusions which have led to the measures the people of America 
are now pursuing, and that we may yet see the public tranquillity re-esta- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 175 

blished on the ground of the terms held out by his Majesty and the Parlia- 
ment." 

"Ahhough," he continued, "the King's officers in this province, have not, 
as yet, (except in one or two instances,) met with any insults or improper 
treatment from any of the inhabitants ; yet such has been the general infatua- 
tion and disorder of the times, that had I followed the judgment and advice of 
some^of my best friends, I should ere this, have sought, (as others of the 
Kmg's governors have done,) an asylum on board of one of his Majesty's 
ships. But, as I am conscious that I have the true interest and welfare of 
the people at heart, (though I am so unhappy as to difler widely in opinion 
with their representatives with respect to the best means of serving them, in 
the present crisis,) 1 shall continue my confidence in that affection and re- 
gard which I have on so many occasions experienced from all ranks during 
my residence in this colony." 

_ "I have, indeed, the stronger inducement to run this risk and to use my 
mfluence with the other crown officers to do the same, because our retreat 
would necessarily be attributed to either the effect, or well grounded appre- 
hension of violence, and of course subject the colony to be more immediately 
considered as in actual rebellion, and "be productive of mischiefs, which it is 
my earnest inclination and determination to prevent, as far as may be in my 
power. Let me, therefore, gentlemen, entreat you to exert your influence 
likewise with the people, that they may not by any action of theirs, give 
cause for bringing such calamities on the province. No advantage can 
possibly result from the seizing, confineiTient, or ill-treatment of officers, ade- 
quate to the certain damage such acts of violence must occasion the province 
to suffer." 

" However, gentlemen, if you should be of a different opinion, and will not, 
or cannot, answer for our safety, all 1 ask is, that you would tell me so in 
such plain and open language, as cannot be misunderstood. For as senti- 
ments of independency are, by some men of present consequence, openly 
avowed, and essays are already appearing in the public papers, to ridicule 
the people's fear of that horrid measure, and remove their aversion to repub- 
lican government, it is high time, that every man should know, what he has 
to expect. If, as I hope, you have an abhorrence of such a design, you will 
do your country an essential service, by declaring it in so full and explicit 
terms, as may discourage the attempt. You may always rely on finding me 
ready to co-operate with you in every proper expedient for promoting peace, 
order, and good government ; and I shall deem it a particular happiness to 
have an opportunity of being instrumental in saving this province from the 
present impending danger." 

XXVIII. The prominent objects of this address, seem to have been to ob- 
tam from the Assembly, an assurance of personal safety, and a disavowal of 
all intention to proclaim independence. And in these, the governor was 
successful. For the House replied, " your excellency's safety, or that of any 
of the officers of government, we apprehend to be in no danger. We place our 
own safety in that protection which the laws of our country and the execu- 
tive powers of government afford to all the King's subjects. It is the only 
asylum which we have to fly to, and we make no doubt that it will be, as it 
hitherto hath been, found fully equal to the purpose, both of securing your 
excellency and others. And we hope to find, that the officers of government 
will conduct themselves so prudently, as not to invite any ill usage ; and that 
they will not make any supposed ' infatuation or disorder' of the times, a pre- 
tence to leave the province, and thereby endeavour to subject the inhabitants 
to any calamities." 

" We know of no sentiments of independency, that are, by men of any con- 



176 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

sequence, openly avowed ; nor do we approve of any essays tending to encou- 
rage such a measure. We have already expressed our detestation of such 
opinions, and we have so frequently and fully declared our sentiments on 
this subject, and particularly, in our petition to the King, at the last session 
of the Assembly, that we should have thought ourselves, as at present we 
really deserve to be, exempt from all suspicions of this nature." 

The dread of independence seems to have seized, at this time, others than 
the governor. Several petitions were presented from the freeholders of Bur- 
lington county, pi-aying the House to enter into such resolves as might dis- 
courage an independency on Gi'eat Britain. The petitioners were summoned 
before the House, and stated, that they had been induced to address it, 
" from reports that some affected independency." Whereupon, it was re- 
solved, that reports of independency, in the apprehension of the House, are 
groundless : — That it be recommended to the delegates of the colony, to use 
their utmost endeavours for obtaining a redress of grievances, and for restor- 
ing the union between the colonies and Great Britain, upon constitutional 
principles ; and that, the said delegates be directed not to give their assent, 
but utterly to reject any propositions, if such should be made, that may sepa- 
rate this colony from the mother country, or change the form of government 
thereof. The spirit of these resolutions differed widely from that which ani- 
mated the provincial Congress, which, in the succeeding February, instructed 
the delegates to agree to all measures which the continental Congress might 
deem necessary. 

XXIX. At this session the governor communicated to the Legislature, the 
royal approbation of an act, for issuing on loan, bills of credit to the amount 
of one hundred thousand pounds. For more than twelve years this had been 
a desirable object with the Assembly, who, as we have, elsewhere, observed, 
frequently passed bills for this purpose, which had hitherto been rejected by 
the crown ; but as if every concession to the wishes of the people, was a 
grant of property for which some consideration was due. Lord Dartmouth, 
in remitting the approval, informed the governor, "At the same time I am 
commanded by the King, to say to you, that it would have been more agreea- 
ble to his Majesty, if the Assembly, instead of a general appropriation of the 
interest of the loan to the support of government in such manner as shall be 
directed by future acts, had thought fit to make a settlement, during the 
existence of that loan, upon the civil officers of government, of salaries more 
suitable to their respective offices than they now receive ; and to appropriate 
a specific proportion of the said interest, to building houses for the residence 
of the governor and the meeting of the Legislature, of which you say there 
is a shameful want. Such an appropriation is no more than what they owe 
to the dignity of their own government, and his Majesty's just expectations ; 
and, therefore, it is his Majesty's pleasure, that you do require the Assembly, 
in his Majesty's name, to make such provision accordingly, trusting that 
they will not make such an ill return to his Majesty's grace and favour, in 
the confirmation of this law, as not to comply with so just and reasonable a 
requisition." Thus, a measure was conceded by all parties, having power over 
it, to be just and necessary, and yet, an individual, who, in all matters relating 
to the public weal, should have been deemed but an individual, inflated by the 
worship of crowds, dared to talk oi" g7'ace and favour in the performance of a 
simple and imperious duty. But the age is passing away, when men will 
make themselves golden calves for worship, and when a feeble mortal shall 

"Assume the God, 

Affect to nod, 

And seem to shake the spheres." 

But the name of the King was no longer a spell sufficiently potent to open 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 177 

the purses of the people, for a prescribed series of years, in favour of royal 
officers. The Assembly declared, " that though they entertained the most 
grateful sense of the attention shown to the wishes of the colony, in the 
allowance of the loan act, and of his Majesty's gracious inclinations to give 
" every indulgence consistent with the true principles of commerce and the 
constitution," and are sincerely disposed to grant his Majesty's requisitions ; 
yet, at this time, the House cannot consider it prudent, to go into any in- 
crease of the salaries of the officers of government, nor do they apprehend 
that it will be beneficial for his government over us, to settle them longer 
than the usual time ; or expedient to erect buildings at present, better to ac- 
commodate the branches of the Legislature." 

On December 6th, 1775, the House was prorogued by the governor until 
the third day of January, 1776, but it never re-assembled; and thus termi- 
nated the provincial Legislature of New Jersey. 



!■'■ 



178 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Comprising Civil Events of the year 177(3. — 1. State of the Public Opinion at the com- 
mencement of the year 1776 — Gradual growth of the desire of Independence. — 
II. Resolution of Congress for the establishment of Independent Colonial Go- 
vernments. — III. Provincial Congress re-assembles — Proceeds to the Forma- 
tion of a Colonial Constitution. — IV. Review of the Constitution. — V. Oath of 
Abjuration and Allegiance established. — VI. Tories — their motives. — VII. Law 
relative to Treason. — VIII. Imprisonment and Relegation of Governor Frank- 
lin. — IX. Measures adopted against the Disaffected. — X. Adoption of the Decla- 
ration of Independence. 

I. For more than a year the whole country had been, not, only, in open 
rebellion against the King, but its inhabitants had actually made war upon 
their fellow subjects, who, unconscious of oppression, had preserved their 
loyalty. Yet, during this period, the governments of the United Colonies, 
respectively, were administered in the King's name, and the people, every 
where, professed affection for his person, and attachment to the parent state. 
In tlie first half of the year 1755, amongst the great mass of the people and 
many of their leaders, these sentiments were real. But the more daring and 
ambitious spirits had, not only foreseen that the continuance of political con- 
nexion was not much longer possible, but had, successfully, sought to in- 
spire the people with the desire of independence. And, probably, there was 
not a profoundly reflecting man in revolted America, who did not, in the 
depths of his heart, believe, that the severance of the ties between the parent 
and daughters was, at no very distant period, inevitable; though many, 
from various causes, such as timidity, selfish policy, and influence of family 
relations, were disposed to postpone the event.* 

But this inconsistent state of things could not continue, without the most ^ 
odious and useless hypocrisy, nor without the greatest injury to the cause of 
the colonists. Whilst the expectation of a reunion was suffered to delude the 
minds of men, a reluctance to pursue those energetic measures which the 
crisis demanded, would paralyze the best efforts of the patriots who had 
assumed the direction of aflJiirs. In effecting a change and demonstration of 
public opinion, perhaps, no single agent was more powerful, than a pamphlet 
styled Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine; which, in a clear, perspi- 
cuous, and popular style, boldly pronounced a continued connexion with 
England unsafe, as well as impracticable; and successfully ridiculed her 

* In 1768 the following language was holden in the American TVJiig, a periodical 
paper, published in New York, edited by Mr. William Livingston, afterwards, gover- 
nor of New Jersey; and the article is said to have been written by him. — Sedgwick's 
Life of Livingston, p. 145. " The day dawns in which the foundation of this mighty 
empire is to be laid, by the establishment o? a regular American Constitution. All that 
has hitherto been done, seems to be little besides the collection of materials for the^ 
construction of this glorious fabric. 'Tis time to put them together. The transfer ofm 
the European part of the great family is so swift, and our growth so vast, that before 
seven years roll over our heads, the first stone must be laid. Peace or war, famine or 
plenty, poverty or affluence, in a word, no circumstance, whether prosperous or ad- 
verse, can happen to our parent, nay, no conduct of hers, whether wise or imprudent;^ 
no possible temper on her part, will put a stop to this building*** What an era is 
this to America ! and how loud the call to vigilance and activity ! As we conduct, so 
will it fare with us and our children." Notwithstanding this prophecy and the spirit 
which prompted it, and which filled the bosom of every leading man in every colony, ■ 
Mr. Livingston was of those who believed, that the time for its fulfilment had not 
arrived, and that the declaration of independence, when made, was premature. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 179 

constitution, which had hitherto been deemed the masterpiece of political 
workmanship. This pamphlet was universally read, and among those who 
were zealous in the war, obtained, every where, friends to the measure of 
independence. The belief became general, that a cordial reconciliation with 
Great Britain was impossible ; that, mutual confidence could never be re- 
stored ; that, reciprocal jealousy, suspicion, and hate, would take place of 
that affection, indispensably necessary to a beneficial connexion ; that, the 
commercial dependence of America upon Britain, was injurious to the former, 
which must derive incalculable benefit from full liberty to manufacture her 
raw material, and to export her products to the markets of the world; that 
further dependence upon a nation or sovereign, distant three thousand miles, 
ignorant and regardless of their interests, was intolerable in the present ra- 
pidly increasing strength and power of the colonies; that the hazard in pro- 
longing the contest was as gi-eat as in the declaration of independence ; and 
that, since the risk of every thing was unavoidable, the greatest good attaina- 
ble should be made, in common justice and pi'udence, the reward of success. 
It was urged, also, with great force, that foreign aid could be more certainly 
obtained from the rivals of Great Britain, if they felt assured that such aid 
would tend to the permanent dismemberment of her empire. The bias 
given by all these forces was confirmed among the people, on finding, that, 
they were declared to be in a state of rebellion; that foreign mercenaries 
were employed to forge their chains ; that the tomahawk and scalping knife 
were engaged in the British service ; and that their slaves were to be seduced 
from their masters and armed against them. 

II. The measures of Congress during this remarkable contest, took their 
complexion from the temper of the people. Their proceedings against those 
disaffected to their cause became more vigorous ; their lano;uao;e relative to the 
British government, less that of subordinate states — general letters of marque 
and reprisal were granted, and the ports were opened to all nations not sub- 
ject to the British crown. At length, the great and important step of inde- 
pendence was in effect, though not in fijrm, taken. On the 15th May, 1776, 
Congress declared, that his Britannic Majesty, with the lords and commons, 

• had, by act of Parliament, excluded the united colonies from the protection of 

■ the crown ; that, not only had their humble petition for redress and reconcilia- 
tion been received with disdain, but the whole force of the kingdom, aided by 

, foreign mercenaries, was about to be exerted for their destruction ; that, there- 
fore, it was irreconcilable with i-eason and good conscience for the colonists 
to take the oaths for supporting any government under the crown of Great 

, Britain; and it was necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority 
under the crown should be suppressed, and that all the powers of government 
should be exercised by the people of the colonies for the preservation of inter- 
nal peace, virtue, and good order, and the defence of their lives, liberties, and 
properties, against the hostile invasions and cruel depredations of their ene- 
mies. And they resolved, " That it be recommended to the respective Assem- 
blies and conventions of the united colonies, where no government sufficient 
to the exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such 
government as shall, in the opinions of the representatives of the people, best 
conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents m particular, and 
America in general." 

This was virtually a declaration of independence. It was such almost in 
terms. The renunciation of allegiance to the British crown, and the establish- 
ment of governments by the authority of the people, were made, certainly, 
with no hope of reconciliation, nor desire of re-union with the parent state. 
When Massachusetts asked advice of Congress on the propriety of " taking 



180 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

up and exercising the powers of civil government,"* they recommended such 
regulations, only, as were indispensable, and those to be conformed as nearly 
as possible to the spirit of their charter, and to endure no longer than until a 
governor of his Majesty's appointment should consent to govern the colony 
according to that instrument. This was in perfect accord with the profes- 
sions of the colonies of respect and attachment, and dependence on Great 
Britain. But the resolution now adopted spoke not of limitation to the powers 
to be assumed by the people, neither as to their nature nor duration. 

In seeking redress from British taxation, and denying to Parliament the 
right for its unlimited exercise, great unanimity had prevailed. The old 
parties forgot their animosities, and united to oppose a common oppression. 
Whilst bound with the band of loyalty to the King, this union appeared indis- 
soluble, but when armed resistance became necessary, still more, after it had 
commenced, strong repulsive qualities discovered themselves in the mass. 
The Quakers, opposed to every form of war, and strongly attached to the 
parent state, and to their church, and family connexions therein, shrunk 
with deep sensibility from the unnatural contest, and with horror from perma- 
nent separation and independence. The royal officers, their dependents and 
connexions, embracing a large proportion of the wealthy and distinguished 
of the province, beheld in a change of government the loss of official emolu- 
ment and influence. The great body of the people, however, led by enter- 
prising spirits, who were not only impatient of oppression, but who saw even 
in the vicissitudes of war the excitement they loved, and in independence 
successfully maintained, bright visions of glory and wealth, hailed with rap- 
ture the recommendation of Congress to take the first irrevocable step towards 
political emancipation. 

For these parties names were borrowed from English politics. The de- 
votees of American freedom and independence assumed the title of whigs, 
whilst they designated their opponents by that oftories. 

III. The provincial Congress of New Jersey, elected on the fourth Monday 
in May, pursuant to the ordinance of the preceding Congress, convened at 
Burlington on the 10th of June, 1776, and was organized by choosing 
Samuel Tucker, Esq. president, and William Patterson, Esq. secretary. Before 
the 21st of that month, many petitions were received from East Jersey, for 
and against the formation of a new government ; and on the day last men- 
tioned, the convention resolved, that a government be formed for regulating 
the internal police of the colony, pursuant to the recommendation of the 
continental Congress, of the 15th of May, by a vote of 64, against three mem- 
bers. Messrs. Green, Cooper, Jonathan D. Sergeant, Lewis Ogden, Jona- 
than Elmer, Hughes, Covenhoven, Symmes, Condict, and Dick, were 
appointed a committee to prepare a constitution on the 24th of June, who 
reported a draught on the 26th, which, after a very short and imperfect con- 
sideration, was confirmed on the 2d day of July. 

At this time Congress, impelled by the tide of public opinion, had gone far 
beyond their resolutions of the 15th of May; and had, actually, resolved on 
declaring the colonies independent states, thereby severing forever, all politi- 
cal ties which had connected them with Great Britain. Yet, the convention 
of New Jersey was not disposed to abandon all hopes of accommodation; 
providing in the last clause of their constitution, that if reconciliation between 
her and the colonies should take place, and the latter be again taken under 
the protection and government of the crown, the charter should be null and 
void. This door of retreat was kept open by the fears of the president of 
the convention, who, in a few months after, claimed the clemency of the 

* June, 1775. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 181 

enemy, with whom this clause gave him an interest.* Other clauses of the 
constitution show also, that it was made for the colony. The laws were to 
be enacted, and all commissions, writs, and indictments, were to be in the 
name of the colony. On the 18th of July, 1776, the provincial Congress 
assumed the title of the " convention of the state of New Jersey." And after 
the declaration of independence, in practice, the commissions and writs ran in 
the name of the state, the indictments concluded against the peace of the 
state, and an act of Assembly of 20th September, 1777, substituted the word, 
state, in all such cases for the word, colony. 

The collision between the views of the continental Congress, and the New 
Jersey convention did not escape the reprobation of some of the members of 
the latter, who moved to defer the printing of the constitution for a few days, 
that the last clause might be considered by a full House. The effort, how- 
ever, was negatived, when not more than half the members were present. It 
must not hence be inferred, that New Jersey was timid or backward in en- 
gaging in the contest. She had kept pace with the foremost, and her spirited 
conduct was the more meritorious, that it had less of the excitement of imme- 
diate interest, inasmuch, as she had yet felt no burthen, and was not irritated by 
the vexations of commercial restrictions. She had no ships, no foreign com- 
merce. Her instructions to her delegates in Congress, chosen on the 21st of 
June, empowered them to join in declaring the united colonies independent of 
Great Britain. The convention consisted of sixty-five members, five from 
each of the thirteen counties, and on the 2d of July when the motion for re- 
considering the last clause was made, there were present only twenty-five 
members ; of whom, Messrs. Camp, Hardenburg, Joseph Holmes, Mott, Sparks, 
Cooper, Clark, Elmer, Harris, Bowen, Leaming, Shaver, Shinn, Tallman, 
Fennimore, Shreve, and Covenhoven, voted in the negative. And Messrs. 
Frelinghausen, Paterson, Mehelm, Josiah Holmes, Ellis, Sergeant, Symmes, 
and Dick, in the affirmative. Had the House been full on this vote, the adop- 
tion of the constitution would have, probably, been delayed, and the character 
of an independent state, at once fearlessly assumed. 

IV. This instrument is styled in the proceedings of the convention, and 
within itself, a constitution. But it is not such, in the present political sense of 
this word, in America. A constitution of government may now be defined, a 
written expression of the will of the people of a state, establishing and limiting 
unalterably, except by themselves, the political powers therein created. Or 
it may be deemed a power of attorney from the people to their agents, speci- 
fying, distinctly, the powers assigned to each.f The constitution and the 
govei-nment are frequently confounded, and treated as synonymous ; whereas, 
they are essentially different; the former being the creator and the law of the 
latter. The difference between them is not less, than that, between the whole 
power of the people, and that of their special delegates. Every country has 
a government, but few have a constitution. The government in England, is 
by king, lords, and commons, but that nation has no constitution; that is, 
no instrument restraining the political omnipotence of those agents. No act 
of theirs can be compared with a designation of their powers, and be thereby 
corrected or annulled. But, whatever they may do, however oppressive and 
arbitrary, has necessarily the authority of law. A constitution may create 
any form of government — may give any quantum of power, less than the 
whole ; for if it give the whole, it destroys itself. And such is the defect, 

V * Votes of Assembly, 1776. 

X It might be objected, tliat the convention which framed the constitution, exceeded 
their powers, or had, in fact, no power to touch the subject — that they mistook in sup- 
posing themselves the people, and that it is essential to the existence of a constitution, 
that the people should formally and expressly pass upon it. But acquiescence must 
be deemed assent. 



182 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

and such has been, partially, the fate, of the constitution of New Jersey. The 
only restriction it contains, upon the agents to which it gave being, is found 
in the twenty-third article, requiring each member of Council and Assembly, 
to declare, upon oath or affirmation, that he will " not assent to any law, 
vote or proceeding, which shall appear to him injurious to the public welfare; 
nor that shall annul or reptal that part of the third section of the charter, 
which establishes, that, the elections of members of the legislative Council 
and Assembly, shall be annual; nor that part of the tiventy-second section, 
respecting the trial by jury; nor that shall annul, repeal or alter the 
eighteenth and nineteenth sections;'''' which relate to the freedom of religious 
worship. This specification of things, which the Legislature shall not alter, 
admits its power to change all others, and puts within its control, the whole 
form of the government, with the partition of its powers. 

The powers of government are commonly divided into the legislative, 
executive and judicial branches ; though the third is but a modification of the 
second, since the making and executing the laws, comprise the whole duty of 
every government. Most of the constitutions of the States of North America, 
define the manner in which these branches shall be constituted, the powers 
they shall, respectively, exercise, and protect each against the other. But, 
by the constitution of New Jersey, the executive, and judiciary powers, may 
be remodelled in any way. The office of governor may be vested in an in- 
dividual for life, or made hereditary — the judges may be appointed for 
months, for years, or for life — their number be increased or diminished, and 
their compensation varied, and the courts continued or abolished, at the 
pleasure of the Assembly — in a word, all the ordinate branches are depen- 
dent on, and at the mercy of, the legislative. And, with the very inconsi- 
derable restrictions already noticed, the whole power of the people, for all 
purposes, is in the hands of their representatives ; who are, thus created 
universal and not special agents, and have no law but their own will. 

We have seen with what extraordinary haste this instrument was formed. 
Less than two days were employed by the committee in framing, and less 
than six days by the convention, in considering and confirming, the govern- 
ment of the state. This would be deemed extraordinary and unprofitable 
haste, at the present day, when political science is more generally under- 
stood, the several powers more orderly classified, and models of tried con- 
stitutions abound. At that period, resort could be had to two models, only, 
of free government — those of England, and her colonies. In both, the pow- 
ers of the state were divided between the king, or his representatives, and 
the representatives of the people. But most of the powers which had been 
exercised by the royal governors, were held by this convention to have been 
taken from the people, and were, by it, restored to their representatives;' 
doubtless, in the conviction, that, they were thereby restored to the people. 
The government of Great Britain was deemed too exceptionable to copy 
from; and its hereditaiy executive and hereditary branch of the Legislature, 
were not congenial with the habits and wishes of the people. 

By the constitution of New Jersey, the legislative power is vested in an ■■ 
assembly and council, annually elected by, and from, the people. 

The council is composed of one representative from each county. This i 
allotment seems based upon no political principle. It has regard, neither to 
extent of territory, nor amount of population ; but would seem to be, wholly, 
arbitrary. 

The minimum number of the Assembly, was fixed at thirty-nine. Three 
members were given to each county, with a like disregard of territorial 
extent and population. But the Legislature was empowered to diminish 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 183 

the number or proportion of the representatives in the Assembly for any 
county. 

The quahfication for a member of the Legislature is, that he should be 
for one whole year, before his election, an inhabitant and freeholder of the 
county in which he is chosen. — If for council, that he should be worth one 
thousand pounds. — If for the Assembly, five hundred pounds, in real or per- 
sonal estate. Neither mature age, nor citizenship, nor oath of allegiance, 
are required from the law-giver of the land. But notwithstanding the con- 
stitution has thus defined the qualification of the representative, the Legisla- 
ture, exercising the power which it unquestionably possesses, but which 
would not pertain to it, if the constitution were obligatory upon it, have de- 
clared, that no alien should hold office ; and that every officer shall take a 
prescribed oath of allegiance. And it has, thus, by the requisition of qualifi- 
cations not prescribed by the constitution, added to the instrument. 

That the Legislature may be preserved as much as possible from all sus- 
picion of corruption, no judge, sheriff, or other person possessed of any post 
of profit, under the government, other than justices of the peace, may sit 
in the Assembly. But, on taking his seat, his office is vacated. This re- 
striction does not extend to the council, and was borrowed from the provin- 
eial laws. 

The electors are required to be of full age, worth fifty pounds, clear estate, 
and to have resided within the county for twelve months previous to the 
election. This qualification also, has been found in practice too broad; ad- 
mitting all inhabitants, bond and free, white or black, male or female, native 
or foreign, citizen or alien; and the Legislature has again exercised its 
power, over the constitution, by limiting, more narrowly, the qualification of 
electors; declaring that no person shall vote in any state or county election, 
unless he be a free white male citizen of the state. 

The property qualification required in the electors and elected, is a 
striking, because the only aristocratic, feature in the constitution. It is 
copied from the law of the colony, and was introduced, probably, into the 
constitution, by proprietary influence, which still prevailed in both sections 
©f the province. But the people having since condemned the restriction, the 
Legislature has removed it from the electors, by declaring, that, every person 
who shall, in other respects, be entitled to a vote, and who shall have paid a 
tax for the use of the county, or state, and whose name shall be enrolled on 
any duplicate list of the last state or county tax, shall be adjudged by the 
officers conducting the election, to be worth fifty pounds. In practice, the 
property qualification of the elected, is almost wholly disregarded. Under 
the royal government, a freehold estate was required in the voter. In the 
convention, an effort was made to give this franchise to all who paid taxes, 
and the qualification required by the constitution was probably a composition 
^between the parties. 

The Assembly has power, under the constitution, to choose its officers — 
to judge of the qualification and election of its members — to sit upon its own 
adjournments — prepare bills — and to empower the speaker to convene the 
members when necessary. Like powers are given to the council ; except, 
that, it may not alter any money bill. In this restriction, we have a striking 
evidence of the haste, and confusion of ideas, under which the constitution 
was framed. In the British government, the right to grant money is claimed, 
exclusively, by the commons, because the other branches of the Leofislature 
are presumed to have an interest, and to be subject to an influence, foreign to 
the mass of the people. The principle was adopted in the colonies, and the 
right of framing money bills reserved to the Assembly, for the same cause; — 
the governor and council being creations of the crown. But the reason 



184 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

ceasing, wholly, with the change of government, the rule should have ceased, 
also. The members of council, in their relation to the people, differ in 
nothing from the members of the Assembly. They are not like the senators 
of the United States, the representatives of territorial divisions ; removed in 
a degree from the people by the mode of their creation, and less responsible 
by the length of the term of office ; but are annually elected, by the same 
electors, at the same time, and in practice, from the same class, as the mem- 
bers from the lower House. By the letter of the constitution a distinction is 
made. More property is requisite to qualify them for office. But this dis- 
tinction makes them safer guardians of the public purse, because it gives 
them a deeper interest in it. 

The Assembly and council have power to make the great seal : — They 
are required to meet, separately, on the second Tuesday next after the day 
of election ; and the consent of both Houses is necessary to every law. — 
Seven form a quorum of the council ; and no law can pass, unless there be 
a majority of all the representatives of each body, personally present, and 
agreeing thereto. 

The council and Assembly, in joint meeting, are empowered to elect the 
governor, annually, by a majority of votes, at their first meeting after each 
annual election ; to elect, in the same manner, the judges of the supreme and 
inferior courts, justices of the peace, clerks of courts, the attorney general, 
the secretary of state, the treasurer, and all general and field officers of 
militia. 

It is now a settled principle of political science, that, the legislative and 
executive powers of government ought not to be in the same hands. That 
government in which they are blended is a tyranny in proportion to the 
extent of the amalgamation ; because, responsibility for the execution of the 
laws is, proportionately, destroyed. Where the whole of the legislative and 
executive powers are vested in the same person or persons, the government 
is despotic ; and it may be the despotism of the one, or of the many. Every 
executive act may be a new volition of the legislative power, and the law 
may, nay, will be, changeable and uncertain ; and ofttimes never proclaimed, 
never known, until its execution. In the classification of powers, that of 
appointing the expounders and the subordinate executors of the law, is pro- 
perly assigned to the executive branch of the government, co-ordinate with, 
and independent of, the Legislature ; but the difficulty of producing a prompt 
and adequate responsibility, of the executive to the people, has, in practice, 
occasioned various restrictions on the exercise of this power. When the Le- 
gislature appoints these officers, it assumes the functions of the executive. 
But experience would seem to teach us, that the danger of corrupt adminis- 
tration is equal, where the ministrative or judicial officer depends, for the 
tenure of his office, upon the chief executive, or upon the legislative Assem- 
bly. The corruption most common, and most to be dreaded, in popular 
governments, is subservience to party spirit. Thus, we daily see officers de- 
pendent upon the will of a single headed executive, a council of appointment, 
or a legislative assembly, changing their opinions, modelling their conduct, 
or losing their offices, with the mutations of party — following all its phases, 
or buried in the obscurity of forgetfulness. To preserve the Legislature, 
whose purity is indispensable to the public weal, from every temptation, to 
act under any other inlluence, than that of sound reason and discretion, it 
should have, neither the power to appoint, nor remove, any other, than such 
officers, as are necessary to the exercise of its functions. It is, wisely, object- 
ed, that the power of appointment should not be exercised by a body com- 1 
posed of several individuals; because responsibility for its deeds is diminished i 
or destroyed, by comminution ; and because consociated assemblies, every | 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 185 

where, take a latitude in morals, from which unprotected, unsupported indi- 
viduals, would shrink with dismay. If such power be vested in an indivi- 
dual, although he be not elevated above the temptation to abuse it, he is not 
only legally responsible for its improper exercise, but he stands constantly 
before the tribunal of public opinion, and may be instantly arraigned for 
malversation in this, as in every other department of his office ; and when 
the continuance of the appointee in office, is independent of the will of the 
appointor, it would seem, that, the constitution, in this particular, possesses all 
practical guarantees for honest administration. 

But the constitution of New Jersey vests in the legislative power, to an 
alarming degree, all the powers of government. Thus, the incumbents of 
chief executive offices, including the judiciary, are not only dependent upon 
the Legislature, for their commissions, but for the amount of their salaries, 
M^hich is subject to enlargement, or diminution, at its pleasure. The place- 
men, therefore, moved by ambition or avarice, whether governor, judges, 
secretary, treasurer, clerks, or chief officers of the army, are the creatures of 
the Assembly, not of the people ; receiving from it, life and daily sustenance, 
and following it, as the sunflower does the sun, whatever be its course. 
Officers actuated by such motives, are always attainable; and when the 
Legislature may be corruptly influenced, its power will be despotic in the 
direct or indirect exercise of^ all the functions of the government. If the 
constitution were, indeed, the supreme law of the land, unchangeable by the 
Legislature, it would present, in the prescribed tenure of office for some of 
the officers, a check upon legislative influence. Thus, judges of the Supreme 
Court, hold their offices for seven — judges of the inferior courts, justices of 
the peace, clerks of courts, the attorney-general, and secretary, for five 
years. But the Legislature may alter the constitution, in this, as in other 
particulars, and make the term of office in these cases annual, as in case of 
the governor and treasurer; or at will, as in the case of the principal militia 
officers.* 

* The following is given, by Judge Griffiths, as the actual result, in the state, of 
this commingling of powers. We cannot of our own knowledge, vouch for the truth 
of the picture, but it has sufficient verisimilitude. 

" One of the most threatening effects of the connexion of the legislative and execu- 
tive in the same body, is its apparent tendency to corrupt the Legislature. 

" First. By placing the power of filling the offices of government in the Legisla- 
ture, and permitting the choice from their own body, a temptation of the most direct 
■ kind is oftered to their virtue : offices will be erected for no other purpose, but to 
gratify the expectations or promote the private ends of popular and ambitions leaders 
in the Assembly. 

" Second. But the most pernicious effect of this executive power in the Legislature, 
is seen in the intrigues and party purposes, which it promotes and cherishes in a body,, 
that ought to be free from every local and every interested consideration. 
• "It is impracticable here to enter into a detail of facts, to prove, that the virtue of 
■the Legislature has been, and will be, constantly assailed and overcome, by commit- 
ting to it the nomination and appointment of the executive afficers. It shows itself in 
the very formation of the Legislature. No sooner does an election for a legislative 
"assembly and council approach, than the question is not, who are the wisest and most 
disinterested, and of most integrity; but who will best answer the views of party, of 
private ambition, or personal resentment. In every county, there will be constantly 
a succession of people aspiring to appointments, civil or military : some desire to be 
judges, some justices, some majors, and some colonels; some have interests depend- 
ing in the courts of law, and some perhaps have resentments against existing officers, 
and would fain oust them from their seats: all these, and a thousand more passions, 
are set to work, parties are formed, and nominations to the Legislature will be direct- 
ed and supported, upon principles altogether beside those, which should form the 
basis for a rio-ht election of legislative characters; the result must, of course, be un- 
liivourable to the public good. But this is not all; — not only are elections rendered 
vicious, and the morals of the people corrupted in these struggles for personal advan- 
tages, but unhappily the candidates partake of the contamination They nuist promise 
2 A 



186 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

By the constitution the governor has the supreme executive power; is 
captain-general of all the militia and other military force; is chancellor, and 
ordinary and surrogate-general; and as president of council, is judge of the 
court of appeals, in the last resort; presides in council, and has a casting 
vote in their proceedings. The council choose a vice-president, who acts as 
president, and governor, in the absence of the governor; and any three 
members of the council, are at all times a privy council, to advise the 
governor, in all cases where he may find it necessary to consult them. 

Whilst the proper powers of the executive are given to the Legislature, 
the governor is o])[)ressed with various heterogeneous duties, which have been 
conferred upon him ; not because he is the proper organ for their exercise, 
but because the members of the convention were habituated to behold them 
lodged with the colonial governors ; who engrossed them, that they might 
increase their emoluments. As chancellor, surrogate, and president of the 
court of appeals, the governor is a high judicial officer, and as such, gives 
decisions, which as an executive officer, he may be called upon to enforce; 
As the president of council, he has a potential voice and influence in legisla- 
tion, and, thus, exorcises, in a limited degree, to be sure, all the powers of 
government. Thus, in another of its branches, the government assumes 
the essence of tyranny. This combination of powers, might prove very 
dangerous, were not the governor so ephemeral in his existence, that he 
has not space, in his official life, to mature and effectuate a plot; and is 
wholly dependent upon the Legislature for his compensation, which is, not 
unconmionly, a principal mean of his subsistence. But, he is not deterred 
from making his powers subservient to the dominant party of the Legislature, 

allegiance to their party — you sliall be a judge, and you a justice — you a major, and 
you a colonel — you a clerk, and you a commissioner, I will solicit your cause in the 
court of errors, and will vote for your friend to fill a seat in the judiciary. Thus the 
executive authorities confided to an annual tegislature, lay the foundation of corrup- 
tion at the threshold of its election; instead of being elected with a national view, 
and for the purpose of forming general laws, for the more equal and salutary govern- 
ment of the people, the persons go there to represent the interests and gratify the de- 
sires of a few partisans in their different districts, upon the performance of which will 
depend their reappointment at the ensuing election! 

" When the Legislature is formed, and a joint meeting agreed upon, then begins a 
scene of intrigue, of canvassing and finesse, which bafiies all description, and is too 
notorious to require proof, and too disgusting for exhibition. The members of a 
county, in which an office is to be disposed of, are beset by friends and partisans of 
the candidates ; their hopes and fears are excited, by all the arts whicii can be sug^ 
gested to influence their choice; from these, the attack extends itself, till it reaches 
every member of the Legislature ; and so strong and so general does the contest be- 
come, by the different repi'esentations, having each particular objects to attain, that 
one grand scene of canvass and barter ensues; a vote for one, is made the condition 
of voting for another, withoHt regard to qualifications; even laws which- are to affect 
the public interest, are made the price of these interested concessions; and not unfre- 
quently almost the whole sitting of the Legislature is spent in adjusting the preten- 
sions, and marshalling the strength of the respective candidates for ofiice. To such 
a pitch has this grown, that even the members of the Legislature complain of it, aa 
an intolerable evil. These contests again, lay the foundation for new parties and 
new resentments at the next election. To counteract the opposition which may be 
stirred up, all the appointments will be made, with a view to strengthen the interest 
of the sitting members. New commissions, civil and military, judges and justices,' 
general officers, general staff and field oflacers, will be made with a reference to the 
state of parties in the county, instead of being dictated by quite a contrary spirit. 

" The result of all this, is seen and felt in every quarter. From hence proceed the 
jars and divisions which destroy the pleasures of social life in every neighbourhood 
and village; and from hence arises the instability of laws, the multiplication of magis- 
trates, the weakness and divisions of the courts of justice, the heats and ill-directed 
zeal at elections, and that general languor and dereliction of principle in every 
department, wliicli menaces the total depravation of the body politic." — EumeneS') 
pp. 130—13^. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 1S7 

and thus to submit himself to a corrupt influence. There is another point of 
view in which this comminghng of powers is prejudicial to the state. It de- 
mands qualities for their execution, which are so rarely found in the same 
individual, as to seem incompatible. The qualifications for a commander- 
in-chief, are not those of the legislator, much less those of the judge. 

It is not the fault of the constitution of New Jersey, alone, to vest in the 
chief executive oflicer, a portion of the legislative power. It is done by the 
constitution of the United States, and by many oi' the states, with an ex- 
pediency, which daily experience renders less than doubtful. The feature 
is borrowed from the English government, where its chief use is to preserve 
the prerogative of the Kizig, against the encroachments of the people. 

The inferior executive officers, beside those abovenamed, who are cre- 
ated by the constitution, are a sheriff, and one or more coroners, elected, 
annually, fi-om each county; who are eligible three years, successively, but 
after which, not again for three years; — and a constable, and commissioners 
of appeal, in case of taxation, also, annually elected in each township. 

But in no particular, is the imperfection of this constitution more visible, 
than in its provisions relative to the judiciary. Neither the courts nor the 
number of judges which shall respectively constitute them, are determined 
by it. The power is given to appoint the judges of the Supreme Court, and 
of the inferior courts of Common Pleas, of the several counties. These 
courts, and the chancery, were established by an ordinance of the King, re- 
cognised and confirmecl by the acts of Assembly, and are continued under 
the new constitution, by articles twelve and twenty-two; declaring, that all 
the laws contained in Allinson's edition, and the common law of England, 
and so much of the statute law, as had been theretofore practised, shall 
continue in full force, until altered by the Legislature ; such parts only ex- 
cepted, as were incompatible with the charter. If any difterence of opinion 
may exist, relative to the power of the Legislature over the constitution, 
there can be none, as to their power over the laws; — consequently, they 
may alter or abolish, all or either of the courts, at their pleasure ; and there- 
fore the constitution has made no provision for the permanence of the judi- 
ciary. The fixed term of office of the judges, supposing the constitution 
unalterable by the Legislature, becomes no protection to their independence, 
since the laws upon which the courts depend, may be i-epealed, and the 
commissions of the judges fall with them. Of the manner in which the 
courts are at present constituted, there are many seemingly well founded 
complaints, which it is no part of our province to examine or to judge. But 
we may remark, with regard to the Court of Chancery, that we cannot con- 
ceive, of a worse organization, than that, by which the highest law officer of 
the state, is not only subject to annual change, but is actually and repeatedly 
changed from year to year. The judge has no inducement to qualify him- 
self for the duties of his place, since his labour will not be rewarded ; and 
'the business of the court nnust be ignorantly, slovenly and sluggishly exe- 
cuted, inasmuch, as more than one chancellor may frequently intervene be- 
tween the hearings of the same cause.* 

* For the manner in which the S3'6teni of the inferior courts works, we refer the 
reader to the following remarks of Judge Griffiths — observing that the judges of these 
courts are without limit as to number, have not a professional education, and receive 
Bo compensation, save some inconsiderable bench fees. 

" Let any man go into a county court in New Jersey, and one hour's observation 
will satisfy him, tliat it is neither a place of common sense, nor of common justice. 
He will see disputes maintained with great heat and prolixity, on questions which 
none would hear debated, but those who feel difficulty in every thing, from their 
total ignorance of every thing, of a legal complexion; ho will sec the most prepos- 
terous decisions, after those preposterous pleadings ; ho will see cause after cause 



188 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The judges and othci- officers, chosen by the Assembly, are commissioned 
by the governor, and may bo reappointed at the end of their several terms, 
and dismissed when adjudged guilty of misbehaviour, by the council, on im- 
peachment of the Assembly. 

By article ninth, the governor and council, (seven whereof shall be a 
quorum,) form the Court of Appeals, in the last resort, in all cases at law, as 
theretofore; and have power to grant pardons to criminals, after condemna- 
tion. By statute, this court has also been made the Court of Appeals in 
equity cases. 

This feature is also copied from the colonial government, in which, it 
was analogous, somewhat, to the judicial power of the House of Lords; 
with this important and extraordinary difference, that in England, the execu- 
tive, or the King, is not a member of the court; and the court there, is 
always aided by the great law officers of the state, and guided by their col- 
lected wisdom and learning. Whilst in New Jersey, the executive forms a 
part of the court, and the court consisting of members annually chosen, and 
perhaps annually changed, whose education and pursuits do not qualify 
them to determine legal questions, sits to revise — and perhaps, to reverse de- 
cisions given under the best lights of the land.* 

The 18th and 19th articles of the constitution, which are exempted from 
the power of the Legislature, provide, that no person shall be deprived of the 
privilege of worshipping Almighty God, in a manner agreeable to the dic- 
tates of his own conscience, nor under any pretence, compelled to attend any 
place of worship contrary to his own faith and judgment, nor be obliged to 
pay tithes, taxes, or any other rates, for the purpose of building or repairing 
any church, or place of worship, or for the maintenance of any minister or 
ministry, contrary to what he believes to be right, or has deliberately or 
voluntarily engaged himself to perform. 

" That there shall be no establishment of any one religious sect, in prefer- 
ence to another ; and that no protcstant inhabitant shall be denied the enjoy- 
ment of any civil right, merely on account of his religious principles; but, 
that all persons professing a belief in the faith of any protestant sect, who 
shall demean themselves peaceably under the government, shall be capable 
of being elected into any office of profit or trust, or being a member of either 

torn by piecemeal from their foundations ; the judges perplexed or dismayed with 
every trifling occurrence, upon which a legal doubt arises ; he will see the judges 
divided in opinion, looking round for help; and finally, he will see the business of the 
session abandoned where it began, and put off upon frivolous pretexts to a more con- 
venient season; and when he has seen tliis at one court, at one term, he will have a 
very accurate sample of the dignity and ability, which pervades the judiciary system 
of his enlightened country. Those who are best acquainted with the subject of this 
description, will allow that it is not exaggerated; they know that there is little 
dignity, and less ability in most of the courts, to which their professional pursuits call 
them; they know, it is sometimes a subject of ridicule, and oftener of serious regret," 
that the judges, instead of knowing the laws better than those who advocate them, 
are generally ignorant of first principles, and instead of directing business with that 
manly confidence, which is always the attendant of knowledge, they are led away by 
their deference to professional eminence, perhaps by the fallacious sophistry of a con- 
cluding harangue. Far be it from me to apply this indiscriminately ; there are ex- 
ceptions ; and still farther it is from me, to place this general defection in the judi- 
ciary, to a depravity of personal character; quite the contrary. It would be difficult 
to find more private integrity in any equal number of men ; but no qualities of the 
heart, can compensate for the want of knowledge in any science; and in that of the 
law, however paradoxical it may seem, mere goodness of heart is a dangerous pro- 
pensity." — Eumcnes, pp. 107, 108. 

* Members of the bar are frequently elected to council. To them, of course, the 
foregoing remark is not applicable. An increase of business in this court, would pro- 
bably render it as necessary to have the councillors all lawyers, as it is that the 
governor should be one. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 189 

branch of the Legislature, and shall fully and freely enjoy every privilege 
and imnuinity enjoyed by others, their fellow subjects." 

Tins last clause, much less liberal than were the Concessions of the pro- 
prietaries, stands a monument of British intolerance; for it is modelled on the 
laws of England, excluding Catholics from office; yet whilst in Great Britain 
this intolerance has ceased, it is continued here, and the Catholic christian, 
together with all who do not profess a belief in the faith of a Protestant sect' 
are excluded from full participation in civil rights. This restriction is far 
behind the age, and calls loudly for removal ; although, to the honour of the 
state, in no instance, has it been enforced. Yet, it is a foul blot on the polity 
of the country. 

By the 16th article of the constitution, all criminals were admitted to the 
same privileges of witness and counsel, as the prosecutor; and by the 18th, 
: the estates of persons destroying their own lives, and chattels occasioning', 
accidentally, the death of any one, are declared not to be subject to forfeiture. 
V\ e have thus given all the provisions of the existing constitution, with a 
running commentary upon its leading features, in which the deficiency of 
the instrument, as a constitution, has been chiefly considered. Compared 
with what such an instrument should be, it has many faults of expediency, 
which have been frequently noticed by eminent citizens of the state; some of 
wfiich have been, and others may be, amended, by the Legislature. But as a 
constitution, the instrument is radically defective; first, that it is not obliaa- 
tory upon the Legislature, but may be, as it has been, altered, by the power 
which makes the ordinary law; second, that it does not separate and define 
the powers of the several departments of the government; and third that it 
has made every department subject to, and dependent upon, the Legislature. 
Consequently a despotic power lies in that body, which may be abused to 
party purposes, and to the subversion of political liberty. That this power 
has been so abused, is not less certain, than that ever/ cause in action must 
produce Its appropriate effect. That such abuses have not been intolerable 
.may be ascnbed first, to the want of opportunity of working extensive evil ' 
n for no great convulsion of the people has yet "'arisen, in which individuals 
! could advance their interests, by the utter subversion of established i)rinciples 
i and drawing to themselves as members of the Assembly, the actual exercise 
I of all pohtical power; although a continued assumption of such power mio-ht 
1 perhaps, be traced in the Legislature, from the establishment of the sTate 
, government: 2dly, To the restraining power of public opinion, enlightened 
M by that political science, which sends more or less of its rays into every part 
f| of our country, and to which the annual election of the members of the Leo-is- 
lature makes them amenable. But, that the state is subject to all the evils 
i which may result from an unlimited and indefinite government, is as unques- 
; tionable, as that the man who dwells beneath the impending avalanche or on 
; the slumbering volcano, is exposed to destruction from the fall of the one or 
irruption of the other. That he has not already been overwhelmed, can' be 
, no protection against the next convulsion of nature. 

« - The transition from a provincial to an independent state, was made with as 
, httle pam and confusion, at the moment, as a modification micrht now he 
: effected in an American state, where the sense of a majority of^lhe neonle 
^ forms the unresisted law. A simple resolution of the convention "that the 

■ judges, justices of the peace, sheriffs, coroners, and other inferior officers of 
the late government, proceed in the execution of the several offices under the 
authority of the people, until the intended Legislature, and the several officers 
of the new government should be settled and perfected, havino- respect to the 

■ present constitution and the orders of the provincial Congresses and that 
: all suits of law should be continued, altering only the style and form thereof" 



ic)0 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

was sufficient to continue without much embarrassment, the whole machinery 

of society- ■•,/-, 

V. After the adoption of the constitution, the provmcial Congress, pro- 
ceeded by an ordinance, to carry it into etibct. The second section of the 
charter appointed the second Tuesday in August, for the election of the mem- 
bers of the Legislature, sheriffs, and coroners. The ordmance ascertained the 
places and manner of election, and created a new qualification for the mem- 
bers of council and Assembly, and for the electors, which may be considered 
the second violation of the constitution just established ; requirmg, from tfie 
voter and member, respectively, an oath or affirmation, that he did not hold 
himself bound to bear allegiance to George the Third, King of Great Britain, 
and would not by any means, directly or indirectly, oppose the measures 
adopted by the colony, or the continental Congress, against the tyranny 
attempted to be established over the colonies by the Court of Great Britain; 
but would bear true allegiance to the government established in the colony, 
under the authority of the people. The council and Assembly, when elected, 
were directed to meet, the first time, at Princeton. 

VI. The period of the revolution has been termed the ''time for trying 
men's souls;'' and this was emphatically true, at the moment of declaring 
independence. The unanimity with which resistance against the measures 
of the parent state had been continued, was then broken. The timid, the 
interested, and the conscientious, were alike unwilling to sever irreparably, 
the ties which connected them with her. The professions of loyalty and de- 
pendence, were sincerely made by a large majority of the provincialists, and 
they were adhered to by many, with religious tenacity, who truly believed 
that political happiness and salvation existed, only, in the British empire, ihe 
timid, and especially the timid rich, shrunk from the disgrace and pains of 
treason— the placeman, and the expectant of place, who looked upon the 
risincT sun, struggling amid clouds as a portentous, but evanescent, meteor, 
could not turn from the rays of meridian splendour, in which they had long 
lived or hoped to bask; whilst others united with their fellow subjects of the 
European isles, by the tenderest charities of blood and affinity, of tastes and 
business could not summon resolution to break connexions, which were the 
great pleasures of their existence. The wonder, therefore, is not that a great 
many valuable men preserved their loyalty and became distinguished as 
tories • but, that the declaration of independence had not more equally divided 
the country. But there was, also, a class of men of desperate character, 
opposed to American independence, who, confident in the strength and suc- 
cess of Great Britain, availed themselves of her protection to prey upon 
the country, and under pretence of loyalty and readiness to punish treason, 
(to stratify their own malignant passions, their foul revenge, and cupidity. 
Bands of these marauders soon haunted the forests and shores of the eastern 
part of the state, particularly of Monmouth, and the mountams of Morris and 
Sussex counties; breaking out from time to time, and doing far greater evi, 
than the recrular inimical soldiery. New York, one of the largest, richest, 
and most powerful of the royal colonies, was the most divided on the question 
of independence. The tories, there protected by the English forces, were 
numerous, wealthy, and active; they had many friends, relatives, and de- 
pendents in East jersey, over whom they exercised a dangerous mfluence. 
Durino- the whole interval from the commencement of hostdities until the 
treaty ''of peace. New Jersey was a frontier state, and exposed to all the mise- 
ries of border warfare; at one time, the enemy lay upon her northern and 
southern boundaries, and her losses in proportion to her wealth and popula- 
tion, were probably greater than those of any other state, save South Care 
jina. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 191 

Upon the arrival of -the British army in 177G, the disafiected in New York 
and New Jersey, were embodied under officers selected from among them- 
selves. Mr. Oliver Delancey, an influential officer of the late government, 
in New York, was appointed brigadier-general, and empowered to raise 
three battalions, to consist of fifteen hundred men. But, notwithstanding 
great exertions on his part, his command did not exceed six hundred. Mr. 
Courtlandt Skinner, late attorney-general, and speaker of the Assembly 
of New Jersey, his brother, the late treasurer, who had recently been re- 
ceived in the council, and every member of that family, adhered to the 
enemy. Courtlandt was, also, appointed a brigadier, and directed to raise 
two thousand five hundred men, but he could rarely bring into the field more 
than five hundred. 

VII. With the assumption of independent sovereignty, came the duty of 
supporting it, by the denunciation of the pains and penalties of treason, 
against such as should attempt its overthrow. An ordinance of the 18th of 
July, 1776, therefore, prescribed, that, all persons abiding within the state, 
deriving protection from its laws, owed allegiance to its government, and 
were members of its community ; and, that, sojourners receiving like pro- 
tection,- owed like allegiance whilst within its "limits; that all persons, so 
owing allegiance, who should levy war against, and within, the state, or be 
adherent to the King of Great Britain, oi- others, the enemies of the state 
within the same, or to the enemies of the United States of North America, 
giving them aid or comfort, should be adjudged guilty of high treason, and 
suffer the pains thereof (death) as by the ancient laws. This act transmitted 
the cases of disafiected residents, en masse, to the ordinary tribunals. 

VIII. To those opposed to the rising order of things, the loyalty of Go- 
vernor Franklin aflxDrded countenance. The torrent of public opinion was 
too strong, for him to attempt to turn its course, and he was compelled to 
stand by, an almost idle spectator, whilst it swept away all the powers and 
services which, lately, pertained to him ; but which he was not disposed to 
abandon without an effort for their maintenance. Before the resolution to 
.establish a new government had been formally adopted, by this state, the 
whole political power had passed, by the voice of the people, to their dele- 
gates in Convention ; which became the government de facto; and the 
powers flowing from royal authority, were suspended by the exercise of 
those derived from the people. This, however, was a conclusion which the 
governor was very unwilling to attain, and he resolved to determine whether 
it were indeed true, by attempting to collect and set in action the component 
parts of his Majesty's government. Could this be effected, a powerful effort 
might yet be made in the royal cause; and whatever might be the final 
result, disunion and distraction in the proceedings of the state would be inevi- 
table. Of the thirty members of Assembly, seven, only, were members of 
the Convention ; and the governor may, probably, have supposed, as some 
of the former body were distinguished royalists, that he might array one 
popular Assembly against another. He, therefore, by proclamation of the 
thirtieth of May, summoned the House, in the name of the King, ta meet on 
the twentieth of June. The provincial Congress, instantly, foresaw the mis- 
chief of this measure, and prepared to defeat it. On the fourth af the last 
month, they resolved, by a vote of thirty-eight to eleven, that the proclama- 
tion of William Franklin, late governor, ought not to be obeyed ; and on the 
sixteenth, by a vote of thirty-five to ten, that, by such proclamation, he had 
acted in direct contempt, and violation, of the resolve of the continental Con- 
gress of the fifteenth of May ; had discovered himself to be an enemy to the 
liberties of the country; and that, measures should be immediately taken to 
secure his person: — And by a vote of forty-seven to three, they ftn-ther re- 



I.. 



19^ HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

solved, that all payments of money, on account of salary, or otherwise, to 
him, as governor, should thenceforth cease; and that the treasurers of the 
province should account for the moneys, in their hands, to the provincial 
Congress, or to the future Legislatui-e of the colony. 

Immediately upon the adoption of these resolutions, the Congress issued 
the following order to Colonel Nathaniel Heard, of the first battalion of the 
Middlesex county militia. " The provincial Congress of New Jersey, re- 
posing great confidence in your zeal and prudence, have thought fit to entrust 
to your care, the execution of the enclosed resolves. It is the desire of Con- 
gress, that this necessary business, be conducted with all the delicacy and 
tenderness which its nature can possibly admit. For this end you will find, 
among the papers, the form of a written parole, in which there is left a blank 
space for you to fill up, at the choice of Mr. Franklin, with the name of Prince- 
ton, Bordentown, or his own farm at Rancocus. When he shall have signed 
the' parole, the Congress will rely upon his honour, for the faithful perform- 
ance of his engagements ; but should he refuse to sign it, you are desired to 
put him under strong guard, and keep him in close custody, until further 
orders. Whatever expense may be necessary will be cheerfully defrayed 
by the Congress. We refer to your discretion, what means to use for that 
purpose, and you have full power and authority to take to your aid, what- 
ever force vou may require." 

On the seventeenth. Colonel Heard and Major Deare, waited on the gover- 
nor at Amboy, and desired him to comply with the order of Congress, and 
sign the parole. Upon his refusal, they surrounded his house with a guard 
of sixty men, and despatched an express to report their proceedings to, and 
ask further instructions from, the Congress; who commanded, that Mr. 
Franklin should be immediately brought to Burlington. 

In the mean time, Mr. Tucker addressed a letter to Mr. Hancock, presi- 
dent of the continental Congress, in the following terms : " Sir, our colony 
has, of late, been alarmed with sundry attempts of disaffected persons, to 
create disturbances. The proclamation of Mr. Franklin, our late governor, 
for calling together the Assembly, is one of those we have thought deserving 
the most serious attention. Enclosed, we have sent a copy of certain resolves 
which we have thought necessary to pass on the occasion, together with a 
copy of our instructions to Colonel Heard. We, this minute, received, by 
express from Colonel Heard, a letter, of which the enclosed is a copy. We 
have ordered down to this place, Mr. Franklin, under guard ; and now beg 
leave to submit, to the consideration of the Congress, whether it would not 
be for the general good of the United Colonies, that Mr. Franklin should be 
removed to some other colony. Congress will easily conceive the reasons 
of this application, as Mr. Franklin, we presume, would be capable of doing 
less mischief in Connecticut or Pennsylvania, than in New Jersey. What- 
ever advice Congress may think proper to give us, we shall be glad to re- 
ceive ; and would further 'intimate, that the countenance and approbation of 
the continental Congress, would satisfy some persons who might, otherwise, 
be disposed to blame us." . 

President Hancock replied, transmitting the following resolution : In 
Congress, June 19th, 1776— Resolved, that it be recommended to the Con- 
ventfon of New Jersey, to proceed on the examination of Mr. Franklin ; and 
if, upon such examination, they should be of opinion, that he should be con- 
fined, to report such opinion to this Congress, and then this Congress will 
direct the place of his confinement; they concurring in sentiment with the 
Convention of New Jersey, that it would be improper to confine him in 

that colony." n j i, r 

On the twenty-first of June, Mr. Franklin was, accordingly, called before 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 193 

the provincial council, to be examined, touciiing such parts of his conduct, 
as were deemed inimical to the liberties of America. He refused to answer 
all questions put to him ; denying the authority of this body, which he 
alleged had usurped the King's government in the province. Whei-eupon, 
the Congress resolved, that as by this and his former conduct, in many in- 
stances, he appeared to be a virulent enemy to this country, and a person 
■who might prove dangerous, he should be confined in such place and man- 
ner, as the honourable continental Congress should direct ; and that Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Bowes Read, should keep him under safe guard, until further 
order of the continental Congress. That order was received on the twenty- 
fifth of June, directing that the deposed governor should be sent, under guard, 
to Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, who was desired to take his parole, 
and in case he refused to give it, to treat him agreeably to the resolutions of 
Congress, respecting prisoners. This request was immediately complied with. 
On his release, he sailed to England, where he received a pension for his 
losses.* 

IX. Towards the disaffected the conduct of the patriots was, at first, truly 
lenient. Those taken in arms were treated as prisoners of war ; and no 
other proceeding was had against those not in arms, from whom danger 
was apprehended, than such as would prevent them from committing the 
mischief they meditated. Congress had great confidence in the power of 
reason and gentle treatment, on the presumption, that the disaffected were, 
generally, the misinformed. Under this impression, resolutions were adopt- 
ed, second January, 1776, recommending to the several township and county 
committees, and other friends of American liberty, to explain to the honest 
and misguided, the nature of the controversy, and the many, but fruitless 
efforts which had been made to effect an accommodation ; but, at the same 
time, to proceed with vigour, against active partizans from whom danger 
might be apprehended, disarming them, keeping them in safe custody, or 
binding them with sufficient sureties to their good behaviour. Strong mea- 
sures were not, however, immediately taken against them, in those parts of 
the country where they were the most powerful. In Long and York islands, 
where General Lee had been stationed, principally, to counteract their ma- 
chinations, they maintained, even, afler the arrival of the commander-in- 

* Governor Franklin was born about the year 1731. He was a captain in the French 
war, and served at Ticonderoga. After the peace of Paris he accompanied his father 
to England. Going to Scotland he became acquainted with the Earl of Bute, on 
whose recommendation, to Lord Halifax, he was appointed governor of New Jersey, 
in 1763; from which time he continued in office, until deposed in the manner above 
stated. He died in England, November 17th, 1813, aged eighty-two years. By his 
first wife, a West Indian, he had a son, William Temple Franklin, who edited the 
works of his grandfather, suppressing, as it is said, at the instance of the British go- 
vernment, some very important memoirs. He died at Paris, May 25th, 1823. Go- 
vernor Franklin differed, essentially, in temperament from his illustrious father, pre- 
fering ease to action, and gained a life of inglorious comfort, by the sacrifice of an 
eternity of fame. His own conduct and the reputation of his father, had made him 
respected in New Jersey, and had he joined the popular party, he would, probably, 
have attained high distinction among American patriots. Governor Franklin, as well 
as Governors Bernard and Hutchinson, were Americans, and though sons of the soil, 
their devotion to the parent state, and the royal cause, was right loyal ; and such was 
the effect of the royal favour, on them, as to give us occasion to rejoice, that it had 
not been more bountifully dispensed among the patriots of 1776. To carry his points 
in England, Lord North was profusely beneficent. Ten peers, at once, were called 
up into the English House, and one day, the 22d of July, 1777, saw the Irish peerage 
reinforced by eighteen new barons, seven barons furtlier secured by being created 
viscounts, and five viscounts advanced to earldoms. It was, perhaps, happy for Ame- 
rica, that, at the dawn of the rebellion, the griefs of the complainants had not been 
medicated by a patronage like this. 

2B 



194 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

chief, a regular intercourse witii Governor Tryon, and devised plans for co- 
operating with the enemy. When the contest assumed the form of active 
hostility, disaifection to the American cause took a decided shape, and its 
enemies united as a party; still numbers followed with the body of their 
countrymen, and were not distinguishable until the declaration of indepen- 
dence. That measure effectually separated the mass. 

Where the previous measures of the continental and local governments 
had been genei-ally and cordially suj)ported, the public mind was prepared 
for independence. In New England, Virginia, and South Carolina, there 
was scarce a dissentient voice. From New York to Maryland, inclusive, the 
people were more divided. In North Carolina an efficient majority was 
friendly, but there was a powerful minority, ready to seize the tirst oppor- 
tunity to manifest their hostility. Georgia was weak and disunited. 

In New York and New Jersey the British were received with open arms, 
by the disaffected, as their deliverers from oppression. The tories were so 
numerous, that, as the army advanced into the country, the militia of the 
islands were embodied for their defence; and these states afforded corps of 
regulars, equal to their quotas in the American army. Upon taking pos- 
session of Long Island, General Howe assured his army, that they were 
among friends, and prohibited, under the severest penalties, every species of 
violence.*' As he advanced to the White Plains, the state Convention enter- 
tained fears of a dangerous insurrection, and seemed apprehensive of an 
attempt to punish the disaffected, though actually engaged in enlisting men 
for the British service. Much dread was felt, that they would seize the im- 
portant passes of the highlands ; and it was thought dangerous to march the 
militia fi-om some of the neighbouring counties for their protection, lest 
their absence should encourage the loyalists to assemble in ax'ms. 

On entering the Jerseys, Lord Cornwallis gave orders similar to those of 
General Howe, on Long Island. The proclamation, offering protection to 
those who would come in and take the oaths of allegiance, within sixty 
days, also, contained assurances, that the obnoxious laws, which had occa- 
sioned the war, would be revised. The effect of these measures, with the 
military success of tlie enemy, was to extinguish, nearly, the spirit of re- 
sistance. A few militia, only, were in arms, under General Williamson; 
whose indisposition, compelling him to leave the service, they were after- 
wards commanded by General Dickenson ; but the great body of the 
country was either with the enemy, or had too little zeal for the cause, to 
hazard their lives and fortunes in its support. When urged to take up arms, 
they answered, " that General Howe promised them peace, liberty, and 
safety, and more they could not require." 

The articles of association of 1775, may be deemed the entering wedge of 
division, between the parties in New Jersey, as in other parts of America. 
Those who refused to sign, or having signed, disobeyed, their requisitions, 
were held enemies to their country, and as such, were not only denounced 
by the county and township committees, but were fined and imprisoned, as 
well by the order of such committees, as by that of the provincial Conven- 
tions and committees of safety. Notwithstanding these measures, counter 
associations Avere attempted, resolving to pay no tax levied by order of the 
provincial Congress, nor to purchase any goods distrained for such taxes, or 
for non-attendance at militia musters. These, and like demonstrations of 
hostility, induced the committee of safety of the province, on the fifteenth of 
January, 1776, earnestly to recommend to the several county and toAvn com- 
mittees, the execution of the resolve of the continental Congress, of the 

" For violation of these orders some soldiers were condemned and executed. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 195 

■second of that month, recommending due moderation and prudence, and re- 
questing all officers of militia to lend their assistance. Under this resolu- 
tion several persons, from different parts of the state, were brought before the 
committee of safety, and the provincial Congress, Axhich sat from the thirty- 
first of January to the second of March, 1776. Most of the prisoners con- 
fessed their faults, craved pardon, and Avere either dismissed unscathed, or 
subjected to a small pecuniary mulct, and to give security, in various sums, 
for future good conduct. But with the progress toward independence, the 
number of the disatfected, increasing rapidly, gave much employment to the 
provincial Congress, which assembled on the tenth of June ; and which 
framed the state constitution ; and their proceedings assumed a greater de- 
gree of severity. Memorials, from several counties, complaining of the hos- 
tile intentions and proceedings of the disaffected, particularly, in Monmouth, 
Hunterdon, Bergen, and Sussex, called forth a reiteration of previous in- 
structions to the county committees, and formal summons to the inculpated, 
to appear before the Convention. On the twenty-sixth of June, that body 
having intelligence, that there were several insurgents in the county of Mon- 
mouth, who took every measure in their power to contravene the regulations 
of Congress, and to oppose the cause of American freedom, and that it was 
highly necessary, that an immediate check should be given to so daring a 
spirit of disaffection, resolved, that Colonel Charles Read should take to his 
aid, two companies of the militia of the county of Burlington, and proceed, 
without delay, to the county of Monmouth, to apprehend such insurgents as 
were designated to him by the president of the Convention. Authentic 
information was, at the same time, received, that other disaffected persons 
in the county of Hunterdon had confederated for the purpose of opposing the 
measures of Congress, and had even proceeded to acts of open and daring 
violence; having plundered the house of a Captain Jones, beaten, wounded, 
and otherwise abused the friends of freedom in the county, and publicly de- 
clared, that they would take up arms in behalf of the King of Great Britain. 
In order, efiectually, to check a comljination so hostile and dangerous. Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Abraham Ten Eick and Major Berry were directed, with the 
militia of the counties of Hunterdon and Somerset, to apprehend these insur- 
gents. On the first of July the provincial Congress resolved, that the seve- 
ral colonels of the counties, should, without delay, proceed to disarm all per- 
sons within their district, who, from religious pi-inciples, or other causes, re- 
fused to bear arms. Two days after the last, an additional order was given 
to Colonel Charles Read, Lieutenant-colonel Samuel Forman, and Major 
Joseph Haight, with two hundred militia of Burlington, and two hundred 
of Monmouth county, to proceed, without delay, to quell an insurrection 
in Monmouth, and to disarm and take prisoners, whomsoever they should 
find assembled, with intent to oppose the friends of American freedom; and 
to take such measures as they should think necessary for this service. On 
the fourth of July, Congress resolved, that as divers persons, in the county 
of Monmouth, who had embodied themselves, in opposition to its mea- 
sures, had expressed their willingness to return to their duty, upon as- 
surances of pardon, alleging, that they have been seduced and misled, by 
the false and malicious reports of others; such persons as should, without 
delay, return peaceably to their homes, and conform to the orders of Con- 
gress, should be treated with lenity and indulgence, and upon their good 
behaviour, be restored to the favour of their country ; providing, that such 
as appeared to have been the leaders and principals in these disorders, and 
who, to their other guilt, had added that of seducing the weak and the un- 
wary, should yet be treated, according to their demerits. 

Under these and like resolutions many persons, among whom were seve. 



196 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

ral of largo property and great respectability, were brought before Congress. 
Some were imprisoned, sonic fined, and others suffered to go at lai'ge upon 
their parole ; others were compelled to enter into recognizance with security, 
conditioned for their good behaviour; and others were relegated to such 
places within the province, as the Congress supposed could give them the 
least opportunity of evil.* 

When the state government was organized, under the constitution, the 
Legislature enacted a law of like tenor, with the ordinance of the convention, 
against treason; — and further declared, that any one owing allegiance to the 
state, who should by speech, writing, or open deed, maintain the authority of 
the King and Parliament of Great Britain, should be subject, by the first of- 
fence, to fine, not exceeding three hundred pounds, and imprisonment, not 
exceeding one year; and for the second, to the pillory, and the like im- 
prisonment; — that reviling, or speaking contemptuously of the government 
of the state, of the Congress, or United States of America, or of the 
measures adopted by the Congress, or by the Legislature of the state, or 
maliciously doing any thing whatever, which would encourage disaffection, 
or manifestly tend to raise tumults and disorders in the state; or spreading 
such false rumours, concerning the American forces, or the forces of the 
enemy, as would tend to alienate the affections of the people from the govern- 
ment, or to terrify or discourage the good subjects of this state, or to dispose 
them to favour the pretensions of the enemy, should, also, be punishable in 
the same manner. By the same act, two justices of the peace were empow- 
ered to convene by summons or warrant, any person, whom they should 
suspect to be dangerous or disaffected to the government ; and compel him 
to take the oath of abjuration, and of allegiance, under penalty of being 
bound with sufficient sureties to his good behaviour, or imprisoned until the 
meeting of the Quarter Sessions ; when, upon refusal, he might be fined or 
imprisoned, at discretion of the court. This act drew the cords around the 
discontented much more closely, than they had hitherto been. But it became 
necessary to strain them still tighter. 

An act of June 5th, 1777, declaring, that divers of the subjects of the 
state, having, by the arts of subtile emissaries from the enemy, been seduced 
from their allegiance, and prevailed upon by delusive promises, to leave their 
families and friends, and join the army of the King of Great Britain, and had 
since become sensible of their error, and desirous of returning to their duty; 
that many of such fugitives and others, who had been guilty of treasonable 
practices against the state, secreted themselves to escape the punishment of 
their crimes — and that, in compassion to their unhappy situation, the Legis- 

* We could give a very long list of names of disafFected persons; but we refrain 
for very obvious reasons. Persons who are curious to revive the remembrance of 
these scenes, may have recourse to the journals of the convention, and the columns 
of the newspapers of the period, where they may find many a name which has since 
been distinguished for good service to the state. We may, however, make the follow- 
ing extract from the minutes of the Congress. — " The petition from sundry ladies, 
from Perth Amboy, was read the second time, and ordered, that a copy of the follow- 
ing letter, addressed to Mrs. Franklin, one of the subscribers, be signed by the presi- 
dent and secretary — 'Madam: I am ordered, by Congress, to acquaint you, and 
through you, the other ladies of Amboy, that their petition, in favour of Dr. John 

L , has been received and considered. Could any application have promised a 

greater indulgence to Dr. L , you may be assured yours could not have failed of 

success. But, unhappily, madam, we are placed in such a situation, that, motives of 
commiseration to individuals, must give place to the safety of the public. As Dr. 

L , therefore, has fallen under the suspicion of our generals, we are under the 

necessity of abiding by the steps which we have taken;' &c. The doctor was tram- 
ferred to Morristown, on his parole, not to depart thence, more than six miles, without 
leave of Congress." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 197 

lature was desirous that no means should be left unemployed, to prevent the 
eifusion of blood, and to give those an opportunity of returning to their alle- 
giance, who should testily their desire to be restored to the inestimable rights 
' if freemen. To this end the act provided. That, such offender, on or before the 
first of August, then next ensuing, might appear before a judge or justice of 
the peace, and take the oaths to the state; and should, thereupon, be pardoned 
his oftence, and restored to the privileges of a citizen ; That, if he were so far 
lost to every sense of duty to his country, his family, and his posterity, as to 
decline the clemency so proffered, his personal estate should be forfeited to 
the state; and all alienations thereof, and of his real estate, subsequent to 
the act, were declared void; That commissioners should be appointed in the 
respective counties, to make inventories of such personal estate, to dispose of 
perishable parts, or where in danger of falling into the hands of the enemy, 
of the whole ; to keep the proceeds for the owner claiming the benefit of the 
act, but paying the same to the treasurer for the use of the state, in case of 
the non-claim of the proprietor within the prescribed time. 

This act was followed by another of 18th April, 1778, directing the com- 
missioners of the several counties to make return to a justice of the peace, of 
the name and late place of abode of each person whose personal estate they 
should seize, and to obtain from the justice a precept for summoning a 
jury of freeholders, to inquire whether he had, since the date of the act 
against treason, (4th October, 1776,) and before the 5th June, 1777, joined 
the army of the King of Great Britain, or otherwise offended against his al- 
legiance to the state. The jury finding against the accused, their inqui- 
sition was returned by the justice, to the next court of Common Pleas; where 
it might be traversed, either at the return, or the succeeding, term, by the 
party, on entering into recognisance, to prosecute with effect. But in de- 
fault, judgment of forfeitures was rendered, and the commissioners empower- 
ed to sell all the personal estate of the fugitive, and to take possession of all 
his books of account, bonds, mortgages, &c., in whose hands soever they 
might be; and to collect all debts due to him. Similar provisions were made, 
relative to persons committing like offences, subsequent to the act of pardon, 
of the 5th of June, 1777. The commissioners were, also, empowered to take 
into their possession and management, all the real estate of the offender, and 
lease the same for a term not exceeding a year, and to hold possession of 
such estate, before inquisition found, when it had been abandoned by the 
owner. Tenants in possession, were required to attorn to the commissioners. 
All sales of real or personal estate, by any person, against whom inquisition 
was found, made after the offence committed, were declared void. 

This severity was carried still further by the act of December 11th, 1778, 
directing, that all the real estate of offenders at the time of the offence, or 
thereafter, acquired, in fee or otherwise, against whom inquisition and judg- 
ment had been, or should be, rendered, should be forfeited to the state; 
and that, every person, whether an inhabitant of this state, or of any other 
of the United States, seized or possessed of real or personal estate, who 
had, since the I9th day of April, 1775, (the day of the battle of Lexington) 
and before the 4^/t day of October, 1776, aided and assisted the enemies of 
the state, or of the United States, by joining their armies within the state, or 
elsewhere, or had voluntarily gone to, taken refuge or continued with, or en- 
deavoured to continue with, the enemy, and aid them by council or otherwise, 
and who had not since returned and become a subject in allegiance to the 
present government, by taking the prescribed oaths or affirmations when re- 
quijpd, to be guilty of high treason, and on inquisition and judgment, his 
whole estate, real and personal, was forfeited to the state ; but such proceed- 



198 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

ings affected the estate only, not the person of the offender. The real estates 
so forfeited were sold, and title made therefor, by the commissioners, and 
no error in the proceedings affected the purchaser, nor did pardon relieve the 
forfeiture. The forfeited estates were held liable lor the debts of the offender, 
and some efforts, unsuccessful we believe, were made, to render them respon- 
sible for such damages as the former owners might commit in their predatory 
excursions. 

The same act declared, every inhabitant of the state who had joined the 
enemy by taking refuge among them, or affording them aid by counsel or 
otherwise, and who should be convicted of high treason, or otherwise forfeit 
his estate, pursuant to the act, or should be duly convicted of treason, felony, 
or misdemeanour, for going to, taking refuge with, or affording any aid and 
assistance to the enemy, incapable of holding any office of trust or profit, or 
of exercising the elective franchise, and deprived all persons within the state 
who had suffered fine or imprisonment for refusing to testify their allegiance, 
by taking the oaths, of the capacity to exercise any military office. 

Under these acts, a large mass of property was brought into the market 
and sold for the benefit of the state, and also of many of the commissioners. 
In 1781, the market was probably glutted, and property was very greatly 
sacrificed; when the act of June 26th, declaring, that the continuance of 
the sales might prove injurious to the interests of the state, directed their 
suspension until further order, and the authority of the commissioners to 
cease. Another act of 1781, (20th December,) substituted a single agent, in 
the respective counties, for the commissioners; and the act of December 16th, 
1783, directed such agents to proceed in the sale of such estates, and to I'e- 
ceive in payment any obligation of the state. Subsequently, various provi- 
sions were made for satisfying the claims of the creditoi's of the offenders. 

During the greater part of the war, the tory refugees from New Jersey 
were embodied on Staten, Long, and York islands; and when the British 
were in force in the state, they collected on the eastern and south-eastern 
border, and occasionally appeared in other districts. Their hostility was 
more mafignant than that of the British soldiery, and being commonly 
directed by revenge, was more brutally practised, and more keenly felt. 
Intimately acquainted with the country, they could more suddenly enter it, 
strike a barbarous stroke and retreat. This spirit was encountered by one 
almost as fierce and ruthless, in which, however, there was the redeeming 
quality of patriotism. Many a tale of the romantic daring of the invaders, 
and of the fearless devotion of the defenders, is yet told, along the eastern 
shores, and amid the cedar swamps, and pine forests of the state. 

The entei'prise of the refugee royalists was frequently directed against the 
persons of the distinguished patriots of the state. Among their first success- 
ful attempts, was that on Mr. Richard Stockton. On the entrance of the 
British army into New Jersey, after the capture of Fort Washington, that 
gentleman withdrew from Congress in order to protect his family and pro- 
perty, at his seat near Princeton. He removed his wife and younger children 
into the county of Monmouth, about thirty miles from the supposed route of 
the British army. On the 30th of November, he was, together with his friend 
and compatriot John Covenhoven, at whose house he resided, dragged from his 
bed by night, stripped and plundered, and carried by the way of Amboy to 
New York. At Amboy he was exposed to severe cold weather in the common 
jail, which, together with subsequent barbarity in New York, laid the founda- 
tion of disease, that terminated his existence in 1781. His release was 
probably procured by the interference of Congress, in January. 

We camiot more fiilly, nor more truly justify the measures of severity 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 199 

adopted against the disaffected, than by the following extract from the sj^eech 
of Governor Livingston, to the Assembly, on the 29th of May, 1778. 

" I have further to lay before you, gentlemen, a resolution of Congress of 
the 23d of April, recommending it to the Legislatures of the several states, 
to pass laws, or to the executive authority of each state, if invested with suffi- 
cient power, to issue proclamations otfering pardon, with such exceptions and 
under such limitations and restrictions as they shall think expedient, to such 
of their inhabitants or subjects as have levied war against any of these states, 
or adhered to, aided or abetted the enemy, and shall surrender themselves 
to any civil or military officer of any of these states, and shall return to the 
state to which Ihey may belong, before the tenth day of June, next ; and 
recommending it to the good and faithful citizens of these states, to receive 
such returning penitents with compassion and mercy, and forgive and bury 
in oblivion their past tailings and transgressions. 

" Though 1 think it my duty to submit this resolution to your serious con- 
sideration, because it is recommended by Congress, I do not think it my 
duty to recommend it to your approbation, because it appears to me both 
unequal and impolitic. It may, consistently, with the proibundest veneration 
for that august Assembly, be presumed, that they are less acquainted with 
the particular circumstances and internal police of some of the states, than 
those who have had more favourable opportunities for that purpose. There 
seems, it is true, something so noble and magnanimous in proclaiming an 
unmerited amnesty to a number of disappointed criminals, submitting them- 
selves to the mercy of their country; and there is in reality something so 
divine and christian in the forgiveness of injuries, that it may appear rather 
invidious to offer any thing in obstruction of the intended clemency. But as 
to the benevolent religion to which we are under the highest obligations to 
conform our conduct, though it forbids at all times and in all cases the indul- 
gence of personal hatred and marlevolence, it prohibits not any treatment of 
national enemies or municipal offenders, necessary to self preservation, and 
the general weal of society. And as to humanity, I could never persuade 
myself that it consisted in such lenity towards our adversaries, either British 
or domestic, as was evidently productive of tenfold barbarity on their part, 
when such barbarity would probably have been pi-evented by our retaliating 
upon them the first perpetration ; and consequently our apparent inhumanity 
in particular instances, has certainly been humane in the final result. Alas 
how many lives had been saved, and what a scene of inexpressible misery 
prevented, had we from the beginning treated our bosom traitors with proper 
severity, and inflicted the law of retaliation upon an enemy, too savage to 
be humanized by any other argument. As both political pardon and punish- 
ment ought to be regulated by political considerations, and must derive their, 
expedience or impropriety from their salutarj' or pernicious influence upon 
the community, I cannot conceive what advantages are proposed by invitino- 
to the embraces of their country, a set of beings from which any country, I 
should imagine, would esteem it a capital part of its felicity to remain for- 
ever at the remotest distance. It is not probable that those who deserted us 
to aid the most matchless connoisseurs in the refinenaents of cruelty, (who 
have exhausted human ingenuity in their engines of torture,) in introducing 
arbitrary power, and all the horrors of slavery; and will only return from 
disap])ointment, not from remorse, will ever make good subjects to a state 
founded in liberty, and inflexibly determined again,st every inroad of lawless 
dominion. The thirty-one criminals lately convicted of the most flagrant 
treason, and who, by the gracious interposition of government, were upon 
very hopelul signs of penitence, generously pardoned, and then with hypo- 
critical cheerfulness enlisted in our service, have all to a man deserted to the 



200 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

enemy, and are again in arms against their native country, with the accu- 
mulated guilt of its being now not only the country that first gave them liie, 
but which hath, after they had most notoriously forfeited it, mercifully res- 
cued them from death. Whence it is probable, that a real tory is by any 
human means absolutely inconvertible, having so entirely extinguished all 
the primitive virtue and patriotism natural to man, as not to leave a single 
spark to rekindle the original flame. It is indeed, against all probability, that 
men arrived at the highest possible pitch of degeneracy, the preferring of 
tyranny to a free government, should, except by a miracle of omnipotence, 
be ever capable^of one single virtuous impression. They have, by a kind of 
gigantic effort of villany, astonished the whole world, even that of transcend- 
ing in the enormities of desolation and bloodshed, a race of murderers before 
unequalled, and without competitor. Were it not for these miscreants, we 
should have thought, that for cool deliberate cruelty and unavailing undeci- 
sive havoc, the sons of Britain were without pai'allel. But considering the 
education of the latter, which has familiarised them to the shedding of inno- 
cent blood from the mere thirst of lucre, they have been excelled in their own 
peculiar and distinguished excellence by this monstrous birth and offscouring 
of America, who, in defiance of nature and of nurture, have not only by a 
reversed ambition chosen bondage before freedom, but waged an infernal war 
against their dearest connexions for not making the like abhorred and abo- 
minable election. By them, have numbers of our most useful and meritorious 
citizens been ambushed, hunted down, pillaged, unhoused, stolen, or butchei'- 
ed; by them has the present contest on the part of Britain been encouraged, 
aided and protracted. They are therefore responsible for all the additional 
blood that has been spilt by the addition of their weight in the scale of the 
enemy. Multitudes of them have superadded perjury to treason. At the 
commencement of our opposition, they appeared more sanguine than others, 
and like the craclding of thorns under a pot, exceeded in blaze and noise, the 
calm and durable flame of the steady and persevering. They have associ- 
ated, subscribed, and sworn to assist in repelling the hostile attempts of our 
bowelless oppressors; they have, with awful solemnity, plighted their faith 
and honour, to stand with their lives and fortunes by the Congress, and their 
general, in support of that very liberty, which, upon the first opportunity, 
they perfidiously armed to oppose, and have since sacrilegiously sworn, utter- 
ly to exterminate. This worthy citizen has lost a venerable father; that 
one a beloved brother; and a third, a darling son, either immediately by their 
hands or by their betraying him to the enemy, who, from a momentary unin- 
tentional relapse into humanity, were sometimes inclined to spare, when these 
pitiless wretches insisted upon slaughter, or threatened to complain of a re- 
lenting officer, merely because he was not diabolically cruel." 

X. From the actual assumption of political independence, to that of a formal 
declaration, the interval could not be long. On the very day that Congress 
adopted the resolution recommending to the colonies a change in their form of 
government; the convention in Virginia resolved unanimously, that their 
delegates in Congress should propose to that body, to declare the United Colo- 
nies free and independent states, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence 
on the King and Parliament of Great Britain. The public mind was now 
fully prepared for this measure. The Assemblies of Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
and New York, which had displayed the greatest reluctance and forborne the 
longest, at length assented to it. The proposition was made in Congress, on 
the 7th of June, 1776, by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, and seconded by 
Mr. John Adams of Massachusetts, '■'■that the United Colonies are, and of 
right ought to he, free and independent states, and that all political con' 
nexion between them and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to he. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 201 

totally dissolved.'''' This resolution was referred to a committee of the whole 
Congress, where it was daily debated. In favour of the resolution, Messrs. 
Lee and Adams were the most distinguished speakers. The latter has been 
characterized as " the ablest advocate" of independence. Its most formida- 
ble opponent was Mr. John Dickenson, whose "Farmer's Letters," had sig- 
nally served to awaken the resistance of the people to British oppression. 
Mr. Dickenson's views were those of a sincere, but timid patriot. He lived 
to discover that his fears were groundless, and to give his aid in maturing and 
perfecting the institutions of independent America. In resisting the declara- 
tion of independence, he was actuated by no ignoble personal fears ; his appre- 
hension was for his country. For at this period, no man could be more ob- 
noxious to British statesmen, than the author of the Farmer's Letters, who 
now, bore a colonel's commission, and was, in the month of July, 1776, upon 
the lines of New Jersey, and New York. The considerations which weighed 
upon his mind atlccted the minds of others; among whom were Wilson of Penn- 
sylvania, R. R. Livingston, of New York, E. Rutlcdgc, and R. Laurens, of 
South Carolina, and William Livingston, of New Jersey; who, if they did 
not doubt of the absolute inexpediency of the measure, believed it ])remature. 

On the first day of July, the resolution declaratory of independence, was 
approved in committee of the whole, by all the colonies, except Pennsylvania 
and Delaware. Seven of the delegates from the former were present, four 
of whom voted against it. Mr. Rodney, one of the delegates from the latter, 
was absent, and the other two, Thomas M'Kean and Gorge Read, were di- 
vided in opinion ; M'Kean voting for, and Read against, the resolution. On 
the report of the committee to the House, the further consideration of the 
subject was postponed until the next day, when the resolution was finally 
adopted, and entered on the journals.* Pending this memorable discussion, a 
committee, consisting of Messrs. Jefferson, John Adams, Franklin, Sherman, 
and R. R. Livingston, was appointed to prepare the delaration of inde- 
pendence. Messrs. Jefferson and Adams were named a sub-committee, 
charged especially with that duty; and the original draught of that eloquent 
manifesto was made by the former. It was adopted by the chief committee 
without amendment, and reported to Congress on the twenty-eighth of June. 
On the fourth of July, having received some slight alterations, it was sanc- 
tioned by the vote of every colony.f 

The delegation in Congress, from New Jersey, during part of the time, 
employed in the consideration of the question of independence, had been 
[ elected by the Convention, on the fourteenth of February, 1776. It con- 
sisted of Messrs. Livingston, De Hart, Richard Smith, John Cooper, and 
Jonathan Dickenson Sergeant. After the proposition of the fifteenth of May 
for organizing provincial governments, it would seem that nearly all these 
gentlemen were reluctant to assume the responsibility of measures which led, 
eventually, to independence. Richard Smith, alleging indisposition, re- 
signed his seat on the twelfth, John Do Hart on the thirteenth, and Mr. Ser- 
geant on the twenty-first of June. Mr. Cooper appears to have taken no 
part in the proceedings of this Congress. His name, with that of Mr. Ser- 
geant, is regularly on the minutes of the State convention, from the 10th of 
June, to the 4th of July. Mr. Livingston was withdrawn, on the 5th of 
June, to assume the duty of brigadier-general of the New Jersey militia. 
Messrs. Richard Stockton, Abraham Clarke, John Flart, Francis Hopkinson, 
and Dr. John Witherspoon, were substituted for the previous delegation, on 
the 21st of June ; and were, probably, all present at the time of the final votes 
upon the resolution, and the declaration of independence. It is certain, that 

* Journals of Congress. t Ibid. 

2C 



202 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

on the 28th of June, Mr. Hopkinson appeared in the continental Congress, 
and presented instructions empowering him and his colleagues to join in 
declaring the united colonies independent of Great Britain, entering into 
a confederation for union and common defence, making treaties with foreign 
nations, for commerce and assistance, and to take such other measures as 
might appear necessary for these great ends."* 

On the 17th of July, the provincial Congress resolved, that, " Whereas, 
the honourable, the continental Congress have declared the United Colonies 
free and independent States, We, the deputies of New Jersey, in provincial 
Congress assembled, do resolve and declare, That we will support the freedom 
and independence of the said States, with our lives and fortunes, and with 
the whole force of New Jersey." And on the succeeding day they changed 
the style and title of the "provincial Congress of New Jersey," to that of the 
" Convention of the State of New Jersey." 

* Journals of Congress, vol. ii. p. 230. 

We are careful in noting these circumstances, as Mr. Samuel Adams, in a letter, 
dated 15th July, 1776, to Richard Henry Lee, observes, " We were more fortunate 
than we expected, in having twelve of the thirteen colonies in favour of the all-impor- 
tant question. The delegates of New Jersey were not empowered to give their voice 
on either side. Their convention has since acceded to the declaration, and published 
it, even before they received it from Congress." — Mem. of Richard Henry Lee, vol. i. 
p. 183. This error has been further proinulged by the following note, in Mr. Sedg- 
wick's Life of Livingston, page 1!»4. — " This delegation, consisting of Witherspoon, 
Stockton, and others, arrived after the declaration had been signed, but were allowed 
to fix their names to it." We do not find on the Journal of Congress, the name of any 
other of the delegates, than Mr. Hopkinson, between the 21st of June, and 4th of 
July. But the following statement given in the life of R. H. Lee, vol. i. 176, upon, we 
know not what authority, shows, if correct, that another of the Jersey delegates was 
present, at the adoption of the declaration. " Li the clause of the original draught, 
that upbraids George HL, with the hiring and sending foreign mercenary troops to in- 
vade America, among those mentioned, the Scotch are specified. It was said that Dr. 
Witherspoon, the learned president of Nassau Hall College, who was a Scotchman by 
birth, moved to strike out the word, ' Scotch,' which was accordingly done." 

The following extract from the life of Mr. Stockton, in the Biography of the Signers 
of the Declaration of Independence, proves, that he, also, was present. — " Mr. Stock- 
ton immediately took his seat in the continental Congress, and was present at the 
debates which preceded the promulgation of that memorable charter of national inde- 
pendence, to which his name is affixed. It has been remarked by Dr. Benjamin Rush, 
who was a member of the same Congress, that Mr. Stockton was silent during the 
first stages of this momentous discussion, listening with thoughtful and respectful at- 
tention to the arguments that were offered by the supporters and opponents of the 
important measure then under consideration. Although, it is believed, that, in the 
commencement of the debate, he entertained some doubts as to the policy of an imme- 
diate declaration of independence, yet in the progress of the discussion, his objections 
were entirely removed, particularly by the irresistible and conclusive arguments of- 
the honourable John Adams, and he fully concurred in the final vote, in favour of that 
bold and decisive measure. This concurrence he expressed in a short and energetic 
address, which he delivered in Congress, towards the close of the debate." It may be 
true, but is not probable, that Mr. Stockton doubted, in Congress, upon this measure. 
It is certain, that he was instructed by the convention, which appointed him, to 
support it, and in so doing, performed a delegated trust, which he was too honest to 
betray. This State had decided the question before she sent him to announce her, 
consent. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 203 



^ CHAPTER XIII. 

I. Military Proceedings in Canada. — II. Measures adopted In Great Britain. — III. Ob- 
jects proposed for the Campaign of 1776. — IV. Operations against New York, 
and the surrounding Country. — V. Proposals for accommodation, by the British 
> Commissioners. — VI. Condition of the American Forces, at New York — Landing 

of Lord Howe, on Long Island. — VII. Battle of Brooklyn. — VIII. Retreat of 
the American Army from Long Island. — IX. Unhappy Effect of the Defeat of 

~ the American Army. — X. Lord Howe renews his Attempts for accommodation 
of the Quarrel — Proceedings of Congress. — XI. Military Movement of the Ar- 
mies, after the Battle of Brooklyn. — XII. American Army, by advice of General 
Lee, quit York Island.— XIII. Battle of White Plains.— XIV. Capture of Fort 
Washington. — XV. Abandonment of Fort Lee, and retreat of the American 
Army — Its condition — Inhabitants join the British. — XVI. Washington crosses 
the Delaware — The enemy possess themselves of the left bank. — XVII. Cap- 
ture of General Lee. — XVIH. New efforts of the Commander-in-Chief— The 
enemy retire into Winter Quarters. — XIX. Battle of Trenton. — XX. The Bri- 
tish re-open the Campaign. — XXI. The American Army re-enters Jersey. — 
XXII. Battle of Princeton. — XXIII. The American Army retreat to Morris- 
town — Beneficial results of the late actions. — XXIV. Firmness of Congress. — 
XXV. Condition of New Jersey. — XXVI. The American Army innoculated 
for the Small Pox. — XXVII. Measures for reclaiming the disaffected of Now 
Jersey. — XXVIII. License of American Troops — restrained. 

I. The early .successes of General Montgomery, had induced Congress to 
reinforce the army under his command; and on the intelHgence transmitted 
previous to the assault on Quebec, they resolved, that nine battalions should 
be maintained in Canada.* Nor did the repulse extinguish this ardour. 
The council of war, of the army before Boston, resolved, that as no troops 
could be spared from Cambridge, the colonies of Massachusetts, Connecticut, 
and New Hampshire, should forward their regiments to Canada; and Con- 
gress, in addition to the reinforcements previously ordered, directed four bat- 
talions from New York. The indispensable articles, blankets, were pro- 
cured by contributions of householders, from their family stocks, and specie, 
by the enthusiasm of patriots, who readily exchanged, at par, their Mexican 
dollars, for the paper bills of Congress. It was resolved, also, to raise a corps 
of artillery for this service, and to take into pay one thousand Canadians, in 
addition to Colonel Livingston's regiment, and to place them under the com- 
mand of Moses Hazen, a native of Massachusetts, who had resided many 
years in Canada. A stimulating address to the inhabitants, was published 
by Congress; and a printing press, and a priest, were despatched, that the 
cause might have the powerful aid of letters and religion. Dr. Franklin, 
and Mr. Chase, members of Congress, and Mr. Carrol, who was of the 
" Roman Catholic persuasion, proceeded to Canada, with the design of gaining 
over the people ; having authority to promise them admission to the union of 
the colonies, upon equal terms, with the full enjoyment of their liberty, and 
ecclesiastical property. Such was the diligence exerted, that, in despite of 
the season, the first . reinforcements reached the American army, before 
Quebec, on the eleventh of April, one thottsand seven hundred and seven- 
ty-six. 

Notwithstanding these exertions of the United States, their interest in 
Canada had daily declined, from the fall of Montgomery. The unsuccessful 

* January 8th, 1776. 



204 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

assault on Quebec, had dispirited the friendly Canadians, and Indians. The 
small pox, which had been communicated to the army by a woman who had 
been sent, voluntarily or compulsorily, from the city, so disabled the troops, 
that, of three thousand men, nine hundred only were fit for duty. The af- 
fections of the people were aliened by the misconduct of the continental 
soldiery, which, in many instances, officered by men from obscure life, 
without education, or morals, abandoned themselves to plunder, and other 
crimes, not more disgraceful to themselves than injurious to the cause they 
were sent to support. And, finally, the early opening of the St. Lawrence, 
and the arrival of the British succours, compelled the Americans to com- 
mence their retreat, very early in the month of May,* with so much precipi- 
tation, as to leave their artillery, military stores, and some of their sick, 
behind. To the last, as well as to such stragglers as were apprehended, or 
came in, the humanity of General Carlton was exemplary ; and more adapted 
to injure the American cause, than the cruelty of other British commanders. 
He dismissed his prisoners, after liberally supplying their wants, with the 
recommendation, " to go home, mind their farms, and keep themselves and 
their neighbours from all participation in the unhappy war." 

A disastrous retreat was pursued, during which. General Thomas, the 
chief in command, fell a victim to the small pox. On his death, the direc- 
tion of the army devolved, first on Genei-al Arnold, and afterwards on Gene- 
ral Sullivan. Brigadier-general Thompson made an unsuccessful attempt 
on the British post at Trois Rivieres, in which he was made prisoner, 
though little other loss was sustained. On the first of July, the whole army 
reached Crown Point, where the first stand was made. The retreat was 
rendered more painful, by the reproaches of those Canadians, who had united 
with the invaders, and who were about to be abandoned to the penalties of 
unsuccessful insurrection, and by the plunder of the merchants of Montreal, 
by the avaricious and profligate Arnold. 

II. Notwithstanding the universal resistance, in America, to the measures 
of the ministry, the Parliament and people of Great Britain, could not be 
made to believe, that it would be maintained against a determined spirit on 
the part of the government, and a few thousand troops to aid the established 
authorities. This erroneous opinion was confirmed by the royal officers, 
who were, probably, themselves deceived by their wishes. The military 
operations, therefore, of the year 1775, were adopted, more to strengthen 
the civil authority, than to support a contest for empire. But the battles of 
Lexington, Breed's Hill, and the measures subsequently adopted by Con- 
gress, awakened the nation from this delusive dream, and produced an ear- 
nest resolution, at all hazards, to establish its supremacy over the colonies. 

The speech from the throne, on the opening of the Parliament, twenty- 
fourth October, 1775, declared, that his Majesty's subjects, in America, 
" meant, only, to amuse, by vague expressions of attachment to the parent 
state, while they were preparing for a general revolt;" "that the rebel- 
lious war, now levied by them, was become more general, and, manifestly, ' 
carried on for the purpose of establishing an independent empire; and that it 
was become the part of wisdom, and in its efl^ects, of clemency, to put a 
speedy end to these disorders, by the most decisive exertions." The senti- ' 
ments of the speech were echoed in the addresses of both Houses of Parlia- 
ment, but not without a spirited protest in the Lords. Nineteen dissenting 
members declared the approaching war to be " unjust and impolitic in its 
principles, and fatal in its consequences," and that they could not approve an . 
address " which might deceive his Majesty and the public, into a belief of 

" On the 4th. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 205 

their confidence in the present ministers, who had disgraced Parliament, de- 
ceived the nation, lost the colonies, and involved them in a civil war, against 
their dearest interests, and on the most unjustifiable grounds, v/antonly spilling 
the blood of thousands of their fellow subjects." 

With the sanction of Parliament, estimates for the public service were 
made on the basis of operations against a foreign armed power. Twenty- 
eight thousand seamen and fifty-five thousand land forces were immediately 
voted ; authority was soon afterwards given to employ foreign mercenaries ; 
and to give full efficacy to these measures, an act of parliament* interdicted 
all trade with the Americans; authorized the capture of their property, 
whether of ships or goods, upon the high seas ; and directed, " that the mas- 
ters, crews, and other persons found on board captured American vessels, 
should be entered on board his Majesty's vessels of war, and there considered 
to be in his Majesty's service, to all intents and purposes, as if they had en- 
tered of their own accord. And this, worse than Mahommedan slavery, 
was insolently represented, as a merciful substitution of an act of grace and 
favour, for the death which was due to rebellion. This bill, also, authorized 
the crown to appoint commissioners, with power to grant pardon to indivi- 
duals, to inquire into general and particular grievances, and to determine 
whether any colony or part of a colony was returned to that state of obe- 
dience, which might entitle it to be received within the King's peace and 
protection ; in which case the restrictions of the law were to cease. In the 
debate on the bill. Lord Mansfield, whose ability and legal knowledge were 
known and admired in America, declared, " that the questions of original 
right and wrong were no longer to be considered — that they were engaged 
in a war, and must use their utmost efforts to obtain the ends proposed by 
it — that they must either fight or be pursued — and that the justice of the 
cause must give way to their present situation." This declaration, justified 
by circumstances, from the mouth of a ministerial partisan, excited the asto- 
nishment, and aided to cement the union, of the colonists; and the act was, 
justly, characterized by a member of the opposition, as " a bill for carrying 
more effectually, into execution, the resolves of Congress." By treaties, ap- 
proved by Parliament, with the Landgrave of Flesse Cassel, the Duke of 
Brunswick and the hereditary prince of Hesse Cassel,f sixteeen thousand of 
their subjects were engaged to reduce the rebellious colonies to submission. 

In the selection of a general for the royal forces, the command, as a matter 
of right, was offered to General Oglethorpe, the first on the list of general 
officei-s. To the surprise of the minister, the gallant veteran readily accepted 
the proffer, on condition, that he should be properly supported. A nume- 
rous and well appointed army and fleet were promised him. " I will assume 
the charge," replied he, " without a man or vessel of war, provided, I am 
authorized, to proclaim to the colonists, that you will do them justice." i^' I 
know the people of America well," he added, " and am satisfied that his 
Majesty has not, in any part of his dominions, more obedient and loyal sub- 
jects. You may secure their obedience by doing them justice, but you will 
never subdue them by force of arms." A commander-in-chief, with such 
opinions, was unacceptable to the ministry, and the command was given to 
Sir William Plowe. 

III. It was resolved, to open the campaign with a force that would look 
down opposition, and produce submission without bloodshed; and to direct it 
to three objects: 1. The relief of Quebec; the recovery of Canada; and 
the invasion of the adjacent provinces: 2. The chastisement of the southern 
colonies ; and — 3. To seize New York with a force sufficient to keep pos- 

* 20th Nov. 1775. t Feb. 29th, 1766. 



206 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

session of the Hudson river, to maintain the communication with Canada, or 
to overrun the adjacent country. The partial success of the first we have 
already noticed. The execution of the second, was committed to General 
Clinton and Sir Peter Parker, and eventuated in their repulse, from Charles- 
ton, by the vigorous efforts of the colonists, at Fort Moultrie ; and the exer- 
tions of General Lee, who had charge of the southern department. The 
thii'd, which involves the operations in New Jersey, asks from us particular 
detail. 

IV. The command of the force, consisting of about three thousand men, 
destined against New York, was given to Admiral Lord Howe, and his 
brother, Sir William, officers, high in the confidence of the British nation ; 
who were, also, appointed commissioners for restoring peace to the colonies. 
On evacuating Boston, General Howe, as we have seen, retired to Halifax, 
designing, there, to await reinforcements from England. But his situation 
proving uncomfortable, and the arrival of succours being delayed, he at 
length (June lUth, 1776) resolved to sail for New York. On the fourth of 
July his whole force was established on Staten Island, where he resolved to 
await the arrival of the troops from Europe. The inhabitants received him 
with great demonstrations of joy, took the oath of allegiance to the crown, 
and embodied themselves under the command of the late Governor Tryon. 
He received, also, strong assurances from Long Island, and the neighbouring 
parts of New Jersey, of the favourable disposition of the greater proportion 
of the people to the royal cause. Admiral Lord Howe, after touching at 
Halifax, arrived, with the fleet and auxiliary forces, on the twelfth of the 
same month. 

It had early been conceived by General Washington, that the British 
would endeavour to possess New York. Its central position, contiguity to 
the ocean, and capacity of defence, made it highly desirable to both parties. 
While the English were yet in Boston, General Lee had been detached from 
Cambridge, to put the city and Long Island in a posture of defence. As 
the departure of General Howe from Boston became certain, the probability 
of his going to New York, increased the necessity of collecting a force for 
its defence. By a resolution of a council of war, (March 13th, 1766) five 
regiments, with a rifle battalion, were marched upon it, and the states of New . 
York and New Jersey, were requested to furnish — the foi'mer two thousand, 
and the latter one thousand men, for its immediate defence. General Wash- 
ington soon afterwards followed, and early in Api'il, fixed his head quarters 
in that city. 

The experience which the American commander already had of the mate- 
rial that must necessarily compose his army, determined him to pursue the 
Fabian mode of war, a ^i'cir of posts; to hazard nothing, but to hover round 
tH6 enemy, watching his motions, cutting off his supplies, and perpetually 
harassing him with small detachments, until his own army had became accus- 
tomed to military fatigue and danger. With this view, works were erected, 
in and about New York, on Long Island, and the heights of liaerlem. Con- 
gress on the opening of the campaign, had a force far inadequate to its objects. 
And though feeling the inconvenience of the temporary armies formed of the 
militia, on short tours of service, they, or the country, probably both, were 
not prepared to enlist men for periods that would render them efficient sol- 
diers, and therefore they adopted middle expedients. They instituted a flying , 
camp, composed of one thousand men from the states of Pennsylvania, Dela- 
ware, and Maryland, engaged until the first day of the ensuing December, 
and at the same time, called out 13,800 of the ordinary militia. The ranks 
of the first were chiefly filled, but great deficiencies occurred in those of the 
second. The difficulty of providing the troops with arms which had hitherto 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 207 

been distressingly great, was now much increased. By the returns of April, 
the garrison at Fort Montgomery in the Highlands, composed of two hundred 
and eight privates, had only forty-one guns fit for use ; and that at Fort Con- 
stitution of one hundred and thirty-six men, had only sixty-eight guns. 
Flints were scarce, and the lead for musket balls was obtained, by strip- 
ping the dwellings. 

V. Notwithstanding independence had been declared, the British com- 
manders and commissioners resolved before commencing military operations, 
to try the influence of their powers for pacification. On the 14th of July, 
Lord Howe sent on shore, by a flag, a circular letter, addressed severally, 
to the late governors under the crown, enclosing a declaration which he re- 
requested them to publish, announcing to the people his authority to grant 
pardon to all, who having departed from their allegiance, would, by speedy 
return to duty, merit the royal favour; to declare any colony, town, port, or 
place, in the peace, and under the protection of the crown, and excepted from 
the penal provisions of the act of Parliament, prohibiting trade and intercourse 
with the colonies ; and to give assurances, that the services of all persons 
aiding in the restoration of public tranquillity, should be duly considered. 
These papers were transmitted to Congress, who caused them to " be pub- 
lished in the several gazettes, that the good people of the United States might 
be informed of what nature were the powers of the commissioners, and what 
the terms," offered by them. About the same time, his lordship addressed a 
letter to " George Washington, Esq.," which the general refused to receive, be- 
cause his public character was not, thei'eby, recognised, and in no other, could 
he have intercourse with the writer. This reason, unquestionably sound, was 
approved by the Congress. The commissioners, earnest in their purpose, 
sent Colonel Patterson, adjutant-general of their army, to the American com- 
mander, with another letter, directed to "George Washington, &c. &c. &c." 
When introduced to the general, he addressed him by the title of " Excellen- 
cy ;" and presented the regrets of General Plowe, for the difficulty which had 
arisen with respect to the direction of the letter; observing, that the mode 
adopted was deemed consistent with propriety, and was founded on prece- 
dent in cases of diplomates, when disputes had been made about rank; that 
General Washington had, in the preceding summer, addressed a letter to " the 
honourable William Flowe;" that the commissioners did not mean to dero- 
gate from his rank, or the respect due to him, and that they held his person 
and character in the highest esteem ; but that, the direction, with the addition 
of &c. &c. &c. implied every thing which ought to follow. The colonel, 
then, produced a letter, which he said was the same that had been before 
sent, and which he laid upon the table. But the general declined to receive 
it. He still urged, that, the address of a letter to one in a public character, 
should indicate such character, and remarked, that though the et ceteras im- 
plied every thing, they also implied any thing: That, his letter to General 
Howe was an answer to one he had received from him under a like address, 
and that he would decline any letter relating to his official station, directed 
to him as a private person. During the subsequent conference, which the 
adjutant-general wished to be considered as a first advance towards concilia- 
tion, he remarked, that "the commissioners were clothed with great powers, 
and would be very happy in effecting an accommodation." But he received 
for answer, that " from appearances, they had power only to pardon those, 
who having never transgressed, sought no forgiveness." Soon after this 
interview, a letter from General Howe respecting prisoners, properly address- 
ed to General Washington, was duly received. 

These seductive efforts of the British agents were repaid by Congress in 
kind. A resolution of the 1 4th of August, offered to all foreigners who should 



208 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

leave the armies of his Britannic Majesty in America, and become members 
of any of the states, protection in the free exercise of their reUgion, the en- 
joyment of the privileges of natives, together with fifty acres of land. 

VI. The amount of the American force rendered the British comman- 
ders cautious in commencing their operations by land. Their fleet, how- 
ever, gave them great advantages, and soon demonstrated the total ineffi- 
ciency of the American obstructions to the passage of the North river. 
Frigates and smaller vessels passed the batteries of New York, Paules Hook, 
Red Bank, and Governor's Island, almost with impunity. The American 
army in the vicinity of New York, on the 8th of August, consisted of not 
more than seventeen thousand men, mostly new recruits, distributed in small 
and unconnected posts, some of which wei-e fifteen miles distant from others. 
It was soon after increased by Smallwood's regiment from Maryland, two 
regiments from Pennsylvania, and a body of New England and New York 
militia, to twenty-seven thousand ; of whom, however, one-fourth were un- 
fitted for duty by sickness. A part of this force was stationed on Long 
Island, where Major-general Greene had originally commanded, but becom- 
ing extremely ill, had been succeeded by Major-general Sullivan. 

As the defence of Long Island was intimately connected with that of New 
York, a brigade had been stationed there, whilst the army was assembling ; 
and had taken a strong post at Brooklyn, where an extensive camp had been 
marked out and fortified. The village is on a small peninsula, formed by 
the East river, the Bay, and Gowan's Cove, into which a creek empties itself. 
This encampment fronted the main land of the island, and the works stretch- 
ed quite across the peninsula, from Waaleboght Bay in the East river, on 
the left, to a deep marsh on the creek emptying into Gowan's Cove on the 
right. The rear was covered by the batteries on Red Hook, Governor's 
Island, and on the East river. In front of the camp was a range of hills, 
crowned with thick woods, which extended from east to west, near the 
length of the island ; and though steep, they were every where passable by 
infantry. 

The whole of the English force having at length arrived. General Howe 
indicated his intention to remove to Long Island — a battle for its possession 
became inevitable. To this selection he was induced by its abundant pro- 
duct of the supplies which his forces required. He lauded on the 22d of 
August, between the small towns, Utrecht and Gravesend, without opposi- 
tion; Colonel H^and, with a Pennsylvania regiment, retiring before him to 
the woody heights commanding the pass leading through Flatbush to the 
works at Brooklyn. Lord Cornwallis immediately marched to seize this 
pass, but finding it occupied, took post in the village. 

VII. On the 25th of August, Major-general Putnam took command at 
Brooklyn, with a reinforcement of six regiments. On the same day. Gene- 
ral de Heister landed with two brigades of Hessians; and on the next, took 
post at Flatbush. In the evening. Lord Cornwallis drew off to Flatland. 
General Washington passed the day at Brooklyn, making arrangements for 
the approaching action, and returned at night to New York. 

The Hessians, under de Heister, composed the centre of the British army 
at Flatbush; Major-general Grant commanded the left wing extending to 
the coast ; and the greater part of the forces, under General Clinton, Earl 
Percy, and Lord Cornwallis, turning to the right, approached the opposite 
shore at Flatland. 

The armies were now separated by the range of hills already mentioned. 
The British centre was scarce four miles from the American lines, at Brook- 
lyn. A direct road, from the one to the other, led across the heights. 
Another, but more circuitous road ran from Flatbush, by the way of Bedford, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. SO0 

a small village on the Brooklyn side of the hills. The right and left wings 
of the British were nearly equidistant, five or six miles from the American 
works. The road from the Narrows, along the coast, and by Gowan's Cove, 
was the most direct route to their leil ; and their right might cither return by 
the way of Flatbush, and unite with the centre, or take a more circuitous 
course, and enter a road leading from Jamaica to Bedford. These roads 
united between Bedford and Brooklyn, a small distance in front of the 
American lines. 

In the hills, on the direct road from Flatbush to Brooklyn, near the for- 
mer, the Americans had reared a fortress, which had a body of troops with 
several pieces of artillery, for its defence. The coast and Bedford roads 
were guarded by detachments, posted on the hills, within view of the English 
camp, which were relieved daily, and were engaged in obstructing the ways 
by which the enemy might advance. General VVoodhull, with the militia 
of Long Island, was ordered to take post on the high grounds, as near the 
enemy as possible; but he remained at Jamaica, scarcely recognising the 
authority of the officer commanding on the island. Light parties of volun- 
teers patrolled the road from Jamaica to Bedford; about two miles from 
which, near Flatbush, Colonel Miles, of Pennsylvania, was stationed with a 
regiment of riflemen. 

On the 26th, Colonel Lutz, of the Pennsylvania militia, commanded on the 
coast road ; and Colonel Williams, from New England, on the road leading 
from Flatbush to Bedford. Colonel Miles, with his regiment, remained 
where he had been, originally, placed. About nine at night, General Clin- 
ton, silently drew the van of the army from Flatland, in order to seize a pass 
in the heights, about three miles east of Bedford, on the Jamaica road. In 
the morning of the 27th, about two hours before day, within a half mile of 
the pass, he captured an American party, which had been stationed on the 
road, to give notice of the approach of the enemy. He possessed himself of 
the unoccupied pass, and with the morning light, the whole column passed 
the heights, and advanced into the level country between them and Brooklyn. 
They were immediately followed by another column, under Lord Percy. 
Before Clinton had secured the pass. General Grant proceeded along the 
coast, with the left wing, and ten pieces of cannon. As his first object was 
to draw the attention of the Americans from their left, he moved slowly, 
skirmishing with the light parties in his front. 

As it had been determined to defend the passes through the hills. General 
Putnam, apprized of these movements, reinforced his advance parties, and 
as the enemy gained ground, employed stronger detachments on this service. 
About three o'clock in the morning. Brigadier-general Lord Stirling, with 
the two nearest regiments, was directed to meet the enemy, on the road lead- 
ing from the Narrows. Major-general Sullivan, who commanded all the 
troops without the lines, proceeded at the head of a considerable body of 
New Englandmen, on the road leading directly to Flatbush, while another 
detachment occupied the heights between that place and Bedford. 

About break of day. Lord Stirling reached the summit of the hills, where 
he was joined by the troops which had been already engaged, and were re- 
tiring slowly before the enemy, who almost immediately appeared in sight. 
Having posted his men advantageously, a warm cannonade commenced on 
both sides, which continued several hours; and some sharp, but not very 
close skirmishing took place between the infantry. Lord Stirling being 
anxious, only, to defend the pass, could not descend in force from the heights ; 
and General Grant did not wish to drive him thence, until the part of the 
plan intrusted to Sir Henry Clinton, should be executed. 
2D 



210 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

In the centre, De Heister, soon after daylight, began to cannonade the 
troops under Sullivan ; but did not remove from Flatbush, until the British 
right had approached the left and rear of the American line. In the mean 
time, the more effectually to draw attention from the point where the grand 
attack was intended, the fleet was put in motion, and a heavy cannonade 
commenced on the battery at Red Hook. 

About half past eight o'clock, the British right having then reached Bed- 
ford, in the rear of Sullivan's left, De Heister ordered Colonel Donop's corps 
to advance to the attack of the hill, following himself with the centre. The 
approach of Clinton was now discovered by the American left, which imme- 
diately endeavoured to regain the camp at Brooklyn. They were retiring 
from the woods by regiments, with their cannon, when they encountered the 
front of the British, consisting of the light infantry and light dragoons, who 
were soon supported by the guards. About the same time, the Hessians 
advanced from Flatbush, against that part of the detachment which occupied 
the direct road to Brooklyn.* Here General Sullivan commanded in per- 
son ; but he found it difficult to make his troops sustain the first attack. 
The firing towards Bedford had disclosed to them the alarming fact, that the 
British had turned their left flank, and were getting into their rear. Per- 
ceiving, at once, their danger, they sought to escape, by regaining the camp 
with the utmost celerity. The sudden route of this party enabled De Heister 
to detach a part of his force against that engaged near Bedford. In that 
quarter, too, the Americans were broken and driven back into the woods, 
and the front of the column led by General Clinton, continuing to move for- 
ward, intercepted and engaged those who were retreating along the direct 
road from Flatbush. Thus attacked in front and rear, and alternately driven 
by the British on the Hessians, and by the Hessians on the British, a succes- 
sion of skirmishes took place in the woods, in the course of which, some 
parts of corps forced their way through the enemy, and regained the lines of 
Brooklyn, and several individuals saved themselves under cover of the 
forest ; but a greater proportion of the detachment was killed or taken. The 
fugitives were pursued to the American works, and such was the ardour of 
the British soldiery, that their cautious commander could scarce prevent an 
immediate assault. 

The fire towards Brooklyn gave the first intimation to the American right, 
that the enemy had gained their rear. Lord Stirling perceived that he 
could escape only by instantly retreating across the creek, near the Yellow 
Mills, not far from the cove. Orders to this effect were immediately given,, 
and the more effectually to secure the retreat of the main body of the de-. 
tachment, he determined to attack, in person, a corps of the British, under 
Lord Cornwallis, stationed at a house somewhat above the place at which he i 
proposed crossing the creek. About four hundred of Smallwood's regiment 
were drawn out for this purpose, and the assault was made with great spirit. 
This small corps was brought several times to the charge, and Lord Stirling ; 
was on the point of dislodging Lord Cornwallis, when the force in his front •; 
increasing, and General Grant also advancing on his rear, he could no lon- 
ger oppose the superior numbers which assailed him, on every quarter; and I 
the survivors of this brave party, with their general, became prisoners of I 
war. This bold and well judged attempt, though unsuccessful, was not i 
without its advantages; giving an opportunity to a large part of the detach- 
ment, to save themselves by crossing the creek. 

The loss sustained by the American army on this occasion was conside- 
rable, but could not be accurately ascertained. Numbers were supposed to ' 

* General Howe's Letter. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 211 

have been drowned in the creek, or suffocated in the marsh ; and exact ac- 
counts from the militia could not be procured. General Washington did not 
admit it to exceed a thousand men, but in this estimate he could only have 
included the regular troops. General Howe states the prisoners to have 
amounted to one thousand and ninety-seven, among whom were Major-gene- 
ral Sullivan, and Brigadiers Lord Stirling, and Woodhull, by him named 
Udell. He computes the loss of the Americans at three thousand three hun- 
dred, but this computation is, probably, excessive. He supposes too, that the 
troops engaged on the heights, amounted to ten thousand; but it is impossi- 
ble they could have much exceeded half that number. His own loss, he 
states at twenty -one officers, and three hundred and forty-six privates killed, 
wounded, and taken. 

As the action became warm. General Washington passed over to the camp 
at Brooklyn, where he saw with inexpressible anguish, the destruction in 
which his best troops were involved, and from which it was impossible to ex- 
tricate them. He could direct his efforts only to the preservation of those 
which remained. 

Believing the Americans to be much stronger than they were in reality, 
and unwilling to commit any thing to hazard. General Howe made no imme- 
diate attempt to force their lines. He encamped in front, and on the twenty- 
eighth, at night, broke ground in form, within six hundred yards of a redoubt 
on the left. 

VIII. Successful resistance to the victorious enemy being now hopeless, 
and the American troops, lying in the lines without shelter from the heavy 
rains, becoming daily more dispirited, the resolution was taken to withdraw 
the army from Long Island. This difficult movement was effected on the 
night of the 28th, with such silence and despatch, that all the troops and 
military stores, with a greater part of the provisions, and all the artillery ex- 
cept some heavy pieces, which, in the state of the roads, could not be drawn, 
were carried over in safety. Early the next morning, the British outposts 
perceived the rear-guard ci'ossing the East river, out of reach of their fire. 
If the attempt to defend Long Island, so disastrous in its issue, impeach the 
judgment of the commander-in-chief, his masterly retreat, justly, added to his 
reputation among military men. 

IX. But the effect of this defeat was most injurious to the American 
cause. It took from the troops the confidence which preceding events had 
created, and planted in its place, a dread of the enemy, to whom the perfec- 
tion of military skill was now ascribed. 

In a letter from General Washington to Congress, the state of the army, 
after this event, was thus feelingly described. " Our situation is truly dis- 
tressing. The check our detachment sustained on the 27th ultimo, has 
dispirited too great a proportion of our troops, and filled their minds with 
apprehension and despair. The militia, instead of calling forth their utmost 
.efforts to a brave and manly opposition, in order to repair our losses, are 
dismayed, intractable, and impatient to return. Great numbers of them 
have gone off, in some instances, almost by whole regiments, in many, by 
half ones, and by companies at a time. This circumstance of itself, inde- 
pendent of others, when fronted by a well appointed enemy, superior in num- 
ber to our whole collected force, would be sufficiently disagreeable; but 
when it is added, that their example has infected another party of the army ; 
that their want of discipline, and refusal of almost every kind of restraint 
and government, have rendered a like conduct but too common in the whole ; 
and have produced an entire disregard of that order and subordination neces- 
sary for the well doing of an army, and which had been before inculcated as 
well as the nature of our military establishment would admit; our condition 



212 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

is still more alarming, aacl with the deepest concern I am obliged to confess 
my want of confidence in the generality of the tx'oops. 

"All these circumstances fully confirm the opinion I ever entertained, and 
which I, more than once, in my letters, took the liberty of mentioning to 
Congress ; that no dependance could be put in a militia, or other troops than 
those enlisted and embodied for a longer period than our regulations have 
hitherto prescribed. I am persuaded, and am as fully convinced as of any 
one fact that has happened, that our liberties must, of necessity, be greatly 
hazarded, if not entirely lost, if their defence be left to any but a permanent 
army. 

" Nor would the expense incident to the support of such a body of troops, 
ds would be competent to every exigency, far exceed that which is incurred 
by calling in daily succours, and new enlistments, which when effected, are 
not attended with any good consequences. Men who have beisn free, and 
subject to no control, cannot be reduced to order in an instant; and the pri- 
vileges and exemptions they claim, and will have, influence the conduct of 
others in such a manner, that the aid derived from them is nearly counter- 
balanced by the disorder, irregularity, and confusion they occasion." 

The frequent remonstrances of the commander-in-chief, the opinions of 
all military men, and the severe correcting hand of experience, at length, 
produced their effect on the government of the union ; and soon after the 
defeat on Long Island, it had been referred to the committee composing 
the board of war, to prepare a plan of operations for the next succeeding 
campaign. Their report, which was adopted, proposed a permanent army 
to be enlisted for the war, and to be composed of eighty-eight battalions, to 
be raised by the several states in proportion to their ability.* As induce- 
ments to enlist, a bounty of twenty dollars was allowed to each recruit, and 
small portions of vacant lands promised to every officer and soldier.""}" 

X. Lord Howe, in his character of commissioner, sought, immediately, to 
avail himself of the impression, which he supposed the victory of the twenty- 
seventh might have made on Congress. For this purpose. General Sullivan 
was sent on parole, to Philadelphia, with a verbal message, purporting, that 
though his lordship could not, at present, treat with Congress as a political 
body, yet he was desirous to conier with some of its members, as private 
gentlemen, and to meet them at such place as they would appoint : That, 
with General Howe, he had full powers to compromise the dispute between 
Great Britain and America ; the obtaining of which had delayed him near 
two months in England, and prevented his arrival at New York before the 
declaration of independence: That he wished a compact to be settled, at 
this time, when no decisive blow was struck, and neither party could feel., 
compulsion to enter into an agreement : That, if Congress were disposed td' 
treat, many things which they had not yet asked, might, and ought to be,\ 
granted ; and that if, upon conference, there should be a probability of 
accommodation, the authority of Congress would be recognised, as indispen- 
sable to the completion of the compact. 

This proposition was embarrassing. Absolute rejection might give colour. . 
to the opinion, that, if independence were waved, restoration of the ancient 
connexion, on principles, f<)rmerly deemed constitutional, was practicablej 

* New Hampshire 3, Massachusetts 15, Rhode Island 2, Connecticut 8, New York 
4, New Jersey 4, Pennsylvania 12, Delaware 1, Maryland 3, Virginia 15, North Caro- 
lina 9, South Carolina 6, Georgia 1. — 88. 

t To a colonel 500 acres, lieutenant-colonel 450, major 400, captain 300, lieutenant. 
200, ensign 150, and a non-commissioned officer or private 100 acres. 

The resolution was afterwards changed so as to give the option to enlist for threa . 
years, or during the war. Those enlisting for three years not to be entitled to land. ^ 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 213 

whilst to enter upon negotiation under existing circumstances might impair 
confidence, in the determination of Congress, to maintain the independence 
they had declared. The difficulty was, in a measure, surmounted by the 
reply, "that Congress, being the representatives of the free and independent 
states of America, could not, with propriety, sepd any of its members to con- 
fer with his lordship in their private characters ; but, that ever desirous of 
establishing peace upon reasonable terms, they would send a committee of 
their body, to know whether he had authority to treat with persons autho- 
rized by Congress for that purpose, on behalf of America ; and what that 
authority is ; and to hear such propositions as he shall think proper to make 
respecting the same." General Washington was, at the same time, instruct- 
ed, that no pi-oposition for peace ought to be regarded, unless made in 
writing, and addressed to the representatives of the United States in Con- 
gress, or to persons authorized by them ; and that if application were made 
to him, on the subject, by any of the British commanders, he should inform 
them, that the United States having entered into the war, only, for the de- 
fence of their lives and liberties, would cheerfully agree to peace on reasona- 
ble terms, whenever it should be so proposed to them. These resolutions 
had the appearance of maintaining independence, without making it the con- 
dition of peace. 

Dr. Franklin, John Adams, and Edward Rutledge, the committee of Con- 
gress, met Lord Howe on Staten Island. The conference was fruitless. The 
committee, in their report, gave a summary of its matter, saying, " It did 
not appear, that his lordship's commission contained any other authority 
than that expressed in the act of Parliament ; namely, that of granting par- 
dons, with such exceptions as the commissioners should think proper to make ; 
and of declaring America, or any part of it, to be in the King's peace on 
submission : for as to the power of inquiring into the state of America, which 
his lordship mentioned to us, and of conferring and consulting with any per- 
sons the commissioners might think proper, and representing the result of 
conversation to the ministry, who, provided the colonists would subject them- 
selves, might, after all, or might not, at their pleasure, make any alterations 
in the former instructions to governors, or propose, in Parliament, any 
amendment of the acts complained of; we apprehended any expectation from 
'the effect of such a power, would have been too uncertain and precarious to 
be relied on by America, had she still continued in her state of dependence." 

XI. A council of war, convoked by Washington, resolved to act on the 
defensive, and not to risk the army for the state of New York ; but a middle 
line between abandonment and defence, was, for a short time, adopted. 
The public stores were removed to Dobb's Ferry, about twenty-six miles 
.from New York. Twelve thousand men were ordered to the northern ex- 
tremity of York Island, and four thousand five hundred returned for the de- 
fence of the city : the remainder occupied the intermediate space, with direc- 
tions to support the city or the camp, at King's Bridge, as exigencies might 
require. As it was impossible to determine where the British would attempt 
to land, it was necessary, pursuant to the system of procrastination, and the 
■ determination to gain time to raise works for defence at various points. At 
length, (September 12th) another council of war directed the abandonment 
of the city. General Mercer, who commanded the flying camp on the Jersey 
shore, also, moved up the North river, to a post opposite Fort Washington. 

On the fifteenth General Howe commenced to land his forces, under cover 
of some ships of war, on the East river, between Kipp's and Turtle Bays. 
The works, at this point, were capable of defence for some time; but the 
troops, stationed in them, terrified at the fire from the ships, abandoned them 
without waiting an attack, and fled with precipitation. When the cannonade 



214 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

had commenced, the brigades of Generals Parsons and Fellows were put in 
motion, and marched to the support of the lines, and General Washington, [ , 
himself, rode towards the scene of action. The panic of the fugitives, from 
the works, was communicated to the advancing troops, and the commander- 
in-chief, had the extreme mortification to meet the whole retreating in the 
utmost disorder, despite the great efforts of their generals to check the dis- 
graceful flight ; and whilst he, himself, attempted to rally them, a small corps 
of the enemy coming in sight, they again broke and fled in the utmost con- 
fusion. The usually firm and equable mind of this admirable man, seems, 
on this occasion, to have been swayed by a gust of natural passion ; and for 
the first, and perhaps, the only time, he despaired of the cause in which he 
had embarked his fortune, his life, and his fame. In the rear of his das- 
tardly troops, with his face to the enemy, he appeared willing to bury the 
pangs of the present, and the dreaded infamy of the future, in an honourable 
grave. His aids and friends, who surrounded his person, by indirect vio- 
lence, compelled him to retire, and preserved a life, perhaps, indispensable 
to the independence of his country.* 

The only part remaining to be taken after this dereliction, was to withdraw 
the few remaining troops from New York, and to secure the posts on the 
heights. For the latter purpose, the fines were instantly manned, but no 
attempt was made on them. The retreat from New York was effected with 
an inconsiderable loss of men, in a skirmish at Bloomingdale ; but all the 
heavy artillery, and a large portion of the baggage, provisions, and military 
stores, were unavoidably abandoned. No part of this loss was more severely 
felt, than that of the tents. In this shameful day, one colonel, one captain, 
three subalterns, and ten privates, were certainly killed; one lieutenant- 
colonel, one captain, and one hundred and fifty-seven privates were missing. 
The conduct of the troops on this occasion, calls for remarks which are alike 
applicable to the prior and subsequent armies of the United States. They 
had not the experience which teaches the veteran to do his duty, wherever .. 
he may be placed ; in the assurance, that others will likewise do theirs ; and ■- 
to rely, that those who direct the whole v/ill not expose him to useless hazard 
nor neglect those precautions which the safety of the whole may require.f 

Unfortunately, there existed in many parts of the army, other causes beside 
the shortness of the terms of enlistment, and the inefficiency of the militia, 
which prevented the acquisition of these military sentiments. In New Eng- 
land, whence the war had been principally supported, the zeal excited by the 
revolution had taken such a direction, as in a great measure to abolish those 
distinctions between the platoon officers and the soldiers, which are indispen- 
sable to the formation of an efficient army. Many of these officers, here, as - 
in other parts of the union, were elected by the men, and were, consequently, 
disposed to associate with them on the footing of equality. In some instances, 
those were chosen who had agreed to put their pay in common stock with 
that of the soldiers, and to divide equally with them. It is not cause of 
wonder, that among such officers, the most disgraceful and unmilitary prac-' * 
tices should sometimes prevail ; nor that privates should fail in respect, sub- • 

* Ramsay's American Revolution, vol. i. p. 392. Mr. Marshall does not notice, to 
affirm or deny, this statement of Mr. Ramsay. If the suppression have been made . 
for the purpose of aggrandizing the hero of the biographer, it is reprehensible. — 
The office of apotheosis belongs to the poet or the slave. It is above or below the 
historian. And no hunmn character can suffer less, from full disclosure, than that 
of General Washington. Such shades, as this, are but the foil of the brilliant, serv- 
ing to perfect its lustre. Such instances of weakness, improve the exemplar which 
his life affijrds. Were it marked by unvarying wisdom, it would be rejected in 
despair, as unattainable. 

t Marshall's Washington, vol. ii. 434. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 215 

ordination, and obedience. Orders of this period show, that several officers 
of inferior grade were not themselves exempt from the general spirit of pil- 
lage, which then disgraced the American troops.* 

Having possessed himself of the city, (15th September, 1776,) the British 
general stationed a few troops in the town, and with the main body of the 
army encamped near the American lines. His right was at Horen's Hook, 
on the East river, and his left reached the North river, near Bloomingdale, 
so that his encampment extended quite across the island, here, about two 
miles wide, and his flanks were both covered by his ships. The strongest 
point of the American lines was at King's Bridge, preserving their commu- 
nication with the continent. They also occupied in considerable force, 
M'Gowan's Pass, and Morris' Heights, which were fortified and rendered 
capable of defence against superior numbers. On the heights of Haerlem, 
still nearer the British lines, within a mile and a half of them, a strong de- 
tachment was posted in an intrenched camp. 

The present position of the armies favoured the wishes of the American 
commander, to habituate his soldiers by a series of successful skirmishes, to 
meet the enemy in the field. Opportunities for this purpose were not long 
wanting. The day after the retreat from New York, the British appeared 
in considerable force in the plains between the camps. Washington ordered 
Colonel Knowlton of the volunteer corps of New England rangers, and 
Major Leitch with three companies of the third Virginia regiment, which 
had joined the army only the preceding day, to endeavour to get into their 
rear, whilst he amused them with demonstrations of an attack in front. The 
plan was successful; the British advanced eagerly to an advantageous posi- 
tion in front, and a firing commenced, but at too great a distance for execu- 
tion. In the mean lime, Colonel Knowlton, unacquainted with their new 
position, made his attack rather on their flank, than their rear. Very soon, 
Major Leitch, who had gallantly led the detachment, was brought off the 
ground mortally wounded, and not long afterwards, Colonel Knowlton also 
fell, bravely fighting at the head of his troops. Not discouraged by the loss 
of their field officers, the captains maintained their ground, and continued 
the action with gi-eat animation. The British were reinforced, and General 
Washington ordered on detachments from the adjacent regiments of New 
England and Maryland. The Americans thus strengthened, charged the 
enemy, drove them from the woods into the plains, and were pressing them 
still further, when the general apprehending the approach of a large body ot 
the foe, recalled his troops to their entrenchments. In this sharp conflict, 
many who had so disgracefully fled on the preceding day, now, with much 
inferior force, had engaged a battalion of light infantry, another of Highland- 
ers, and three companies of Hessian riflemen, sustaining a loss in killed and 
wounded of not more than fifty men, whilst the Bi'itish lost more than double 
that number. The effect of this first success of the campaign, was visible 
upon the spirits of the men, restoring them in some measure to their own 
esteem. 

The armies did not long retain their position. General Howe, sensible ot 
the strength of the American camp, had no inclination to force it. His plan 
was, to compel General Washington either to abandon it, or to fight in a 
position, where defeat would result in a total destruction of his army. With 
this view, after throwing up intrenchments on M'Gowan's Hill, for the pro- 
tection of New York, he proposed to gain the rear of the American camp, 
and to possess himself of the North river, above King's Bridge. To ascer- 
tain the practicability of the latter, three frigates passed up, under the fire of 

* Marshall's Life ofWashington, vol. ii. 434. 



216 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Forts Washington and Lee, without injury from the batteries, or impediment 
from the chevaux-de-frise, which ]uid been sunk in the channel, between 
those forts. This point being attained, the greater part of his army passed 
through Hellgatc, into the Sound, and landed on Frog's Neck, in West Ches- 
ter county, about nine miles from the camp, on the heights of Haerlem.* 
He continued here some days, quietly waiting for his artillery, military 
stores, and reinforcements, from Staten Island, which were detained by un- 
favourable winds. 

XII. In the mean time. General Lee arrived,! from his late successful 
command, to the southward ; and finding a disposition prevalent among the 
officers of the American army, to continue on York Island, he induced the 
call of a council of war, to consult on its propriety. He urged its entire re- 
linquishment — dwelling upon the impracticability of stopping the ascent of 
the enemy's ships, upon the river, the possession of Frog's Neck, on the 
Sound, by the British, the absolute impossibility of preserving the communi- 
cation with the country, and the imminent danger that the army must fight 
under disadvantages, or become prisoners of war. His views, so far as they 
regarded the army, were adopted ; but unfortunately, the representations of 
General Greene prevailed, in relation to Fort Washington, the occupation of 
which, he contended, would divert a large portion of the enemy's force from 
the main body, and in conjunction with Fort Lee, would cover the trans- 
portation of supplies, up the river, for the service of the American troops. 
He further represented, that the garrison could be brought off, at any time, 
by boats from the Jersey shore. 

XIII. On the 18th of October, General Howe moved forward his whole 
army, except four regiments destined for New York, towards New Rochelle.- , 
Some skirmishing took place, near East Chester, with part of Glover's bri- 
gade, in which the conduct of the Americans was courageous. As Howe 
took post at New Rochelle, Washington occupied the heights between it and 
the North river. The British general received here, the second division of • 
Germans, under General Knyphausen, and an incomplete regiment of caval- 
ry, from Ireland. Both armies now moved towards the White Plains, a-' 
strong piece of ground, where a large camp had been marked out, and occu- 
pied by a detachment of militia, sent to guard some magazines there collect- 
ed. The main body of the Americans formed a long line of entrenched 
camps, extending from twelve to thirteen miles, on the heights from Valen- . 
tine's Hill, near King's Bridge, to the White Plains; fronting the British line 
of march, and the Brunx, which lay between them, so as to collect in full • 
force at any point, as circumstances might require. While the British army 
lay about New Rochelle, Major Rodgers, with his regiment (of tories), was 
advanced eastward towards Mamoraneck, on the Sound, where he was be- 
lieved to be covered by the position of the other troops. An attempt was ■ 
made to surprise him in the night; but it was not wholly successful. About' 
sixty of his corps were killed or taken, with a loss to the Americans of two' 
killed, and eight or ten wounded; among the latter, was Major Grcen, of 
Virginia, a brave officer, who led the advance, and who received a ball 
through his body. Not long afi;er, a regiment of Pennsylvania riflemen,,' 
under Colonel Hand, fell in with and engaged an equal number of Hessian 
chasseurs, over whom they obtained some advantage. 

The caution of the English general was increased by these evidences of 
enterprise in his adversary. His object seems to have been to avoid skir- 
mishing, and to bring on a general action, if that could be effected under 
favourable circumstances ; if not, he knew too well, the approaching dissolu- [ 

" October 12th, 1776. \ October 14th. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 317 

tion of the American army, and calculated, not without reason, on deriving 
from that event nearly all the advantages of a victory. He proceeded there- 
fore slowly. His marches were in close order, his encampments compact, 
and well guarded with artillery ; and the utmost circumspection was used 
not to expose any part which might be vulnerable.* 

As the sick and baggage reached a place of safety, General Washington 
gradually drew in his out-posts, and took possession of the heights on the 
east side of the Brunx fronting the head of the British columns. He was 
there joined by General Lee, who, after securing the sick and the baggage, 
had, with considerable address, brought up the rear division of the army. 

General Washington was encamped on high, broken grounds, with his 
right flank covered by the Brunx, which also covered the front of his right 
wing, extending along the road on the east side of that river, towards New 
Rochelie, as far as the brow of the hill where his centre was posted. His 
left, forming almost a right angle with his centre, and nearly parallel to his 
right, extended along the hills northwardly, so as to keep possession of the 
commanding ground, and secure a retreat should it be necessary, from the 
present position, to one still more advantageous in his rear. 

On the right of the army, and on the west side of the Brunx, about one 
mile from the camp, on the road leading from the North river, was a hill, of 
which General M'Dougal took possession, for the purpose of covering the 
right flank. His detachment consisted of about sixteen hundred men, prin- , 
cipally militia; and his communication with the main army was perfectly 
open; that part of the river being every where passable, without difiicuUy. 
Hasty intrenchments were thrown up to strengthen every part of the lines, 
and to make them as defensible as possible. 

On the 25th of October, General Howe, who had advanced from New 
Rochelie and Mamaroneck, prepared to attack General Washington in his 
camp. Early in the morning, the British approached in two columns, the 
right commanded by Sir Hpnry Clinton, and the left by General Knyphau- 
sen, accompanied by General Howe, in person. Their advanced parties 
having encountered, and driven in the patroles, their van appeared, about 
ten o'clock, in full view of the American lines ; a cannonade commenced, 
without much execution, on either side. The British right formed behind a 
rising ground, about a mile in front of the American camp, and extended 
from the I'oad leading from Mamaroneck, towards the Brunx ; so that it was 
opposed to the centre of the American army. 

On viewing General Washington's situation, Howe determined to possess 
himself of the hill occupied by M'Dougal. He directed Colonel Rawle, with 
his corps of Hessians, to cross the Brunx, and by a circuit, to gain a posi- 
tion from which he might annoy the right flank of M'Dougal, while Briga- 
dier-general Leslie, with the second brigade of British troops, the Hessian 
grenadiers under Colonel Donop, and a Hessian battalion, should attack him 
in front. When Rawle had gained the designated position, the detachment 
under Leslie also crossed the Brunx, and commenced a vigoi'ous attack on 
the Americans.! The militia immediately fled ; but the regulars behaved 
with great gallantry. Colonel Smallwood's regiment of Maryland, and 
i I Colonel Reitzimar's of New York, advanced boldly towards the foot of the 
III ! hill to meet Leslie ; but after a sharp encounter, were overpowered by num- 
i^ I hers, and compelled to retreat. Leslie then attacked the remaining part of 
(^ i M'Dougal's forces, consisting of his own brigade, the Delaware battalion, 
I \ and a small regiment of Connecticut militia. They were soon driven from 

* Annual Register. t General Howe's letter. 

2E 



218 fflSTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the hill, but kept up, for some time, an irregular fire from the stone walls, 
and other enclosures about the scene of action. General Putnam, with 
Beal's brigade, was ordered to support them; but not arriving while they 
were in possession of the hill, he deemed it improper to attempt to regain it, 
and the troops retreated to the main army. 

In this engagement, which, during its continuance, was very animated on 
both sides, the loss was supposed to have been about equal. That of the 
Americans was between three and four hundred in killed, wounded, and 
taken. Colonel Smallwood was among the wounded. 

General Washington continued in his lines, expecting to be attacked. His 
sick and baggage were removed into his rear. But a considerable part of 
the day having been spent in gaining the hill, which had been occupied by 
M'Dougal, all attempts on his intrenchments were postponed until the next 
morning ; and the whole British army lay on their arms the following night, 
in order of battle, and on the ground they had taken during the day. 

This interval was employed by General Washington in strengthening his 
works, removing his sick and baggage, and preparing, by changing the ar- 
rangement of his troops, for the expected attack. His left maintained its 
position, but his right was drawn back to stronger ground. Perceiving this, 
and unwilling to leave any thing to hazard, Howe resolved to postpone fur- 
ther offensive operations, until Lord Pei'cy should arrive with four battalions 
from New York, and two from the post at Mamaroneck. This reinforce- 
ment was received on the evening of^ the 30th, and preparations were then 
made to attack the American intrenchments the next morning. In the night 
and during the early part of the succeeding day, a violent rain fell, which 
induced a further postponement of the assault.* The provisions and heavy 
baggage being now removed, and apprehensions being entertained, that the 
British general, whose left wing extended along the height taken from 
M'Dougal, to his rear, might turn his camp, and occupy the post to which 
he designed to retreat, if an attempt on his lines should terminate unfortu- 
nately, General Washington changed his position n\ the night, and withdrew 
to the heights of North Castle, about five miles from White Plains. At the 
same time he detached Beal's brigade to take possession of the bridge on 
Croton river, a few miles in his rear, and over which is the road leading up 
the Hudson. 

This position was so strong, that an attempt to force it was deemed im*": 
prudent. General Howe, therefore, gave a new direction to his efforts.f 

XIV. The anxiety to preserve, if possible, the navigation of the Hudson, 
above King's Bridge, had induced the American general to maintain the posts 
of Forts Washington and Lee, on either side of that river. They essentially 
checked the movements of General Howe, who justly deemed the complete 
possession of York Island an object of too much importance to be longer 
neglected. He, therefore, directed General Knyphausen to cross the coun- 
try from New Rochelle, and to take possession of King's Bridge, where a 
small party of Americans were stationed in Fort Independence. This was 
effected without opposition ; — the Americans retiring to Fort Washington, 
and Knyphausen encamping between that place and King's Bridge. 

In the mean time, Howe broke up his camp at White Plains, and marched 
to Dobbs' Ferry, whence he retired slowly down the North river, towards 
King's Bridge. The American general was immediately aware of the de- 
sign against Fort Washington, and the Jerseys ; but, apprehending that his 
adversary might return suddenly, and endeavour by a rapid movement, to 
execute the original plan of getting in his rear, he observed great caution, 

* General Howe's letter. f Ibid. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 219 

and maintained his position, until assured that the movement towards King's 
Bridge, was not a feint. ^ 

On the movement of the British army towards New York, General Wash- 
ington perceived the neccessity of throwing a part of his troops into New 
Jersey, should Howe design to change the scene of action. A council of 
war, therefore, was immediately called, (November 6th,) which determined, 
unanimously, should Howe continue his march, that all the troops raised on 
the west side of the Hudson, should cross that river, to be afterwards follow- 
ed, if necessary, by those raised on the eastern part of the continent; and 
that, for the preservation of the highlands, about the North river, three 
thousand men should be stationed at Peck's-kill, and in the passes of the 
mountains. 

General Washington addressed a letter to Governor Livingston, advising 
him of the movement then making, and expressing a decided opinion that 
General Howe would not content himself with investing Fort Washington, 
but would invade the Jerseys. He urged the governor to put the militia in 
condition to reinforce the continental army, and to take the place of the new 
levies, a term designating a body of men between militia and regulars, 
raised to serve until the first of December, who could not be depended on to 
continue with the army one day longer than the time for which they were 
^ engaged. He also pressed, very earnestly, the removal of all the stock, and 
other provisions, of which the enemy might avail himself, from the sea-coast, 
and the neighbourhood of New York. 

Immediate intelligence of this movement was likewise given to General 

rGreene, who commanded in the Jerseys ; and his attention was particularly 

' pointed to Fort Washington. He was advised to increase his magazines 

.'about Princeton, and to diminish those near New York; as experience had 

■ demonstrated the difficulty of removing them on the advance of the enemy. 

Some apprehension was also entertained, that Howe would attempt to cross 

at Dobbs' Ferry, and envelop the troops about Fort Lee, as well as those in 

Fort Washington. Of this, too. General Greene was advised, and thereupon 

drew in his parties from about Amboy, and posted a body of troops on the 

heights to defend the passage at Dobbs' Ferry. 

On the 13th of November, General Washington crossed the North river, 

with the selected portion of the army, leaving the eastern regiments under 

the command of General Lee, with orders, also, to cross the river, should 

General Howe effect it ; but in the mean time, to assume the strong grounds, 

• .behind the Croton, at Pine Bridge. 

Discretionai'y orders had been given to General Greene, to abandon Fort 
.Washington, but which, for the reasons already stated, he delayed to exe- 
,cute. This fort was on a high piece of ground, near the North river, very 
difficult of ascent, especially, on the northern side. It was capable of con- 
taining about a thousand men ; but the lines and out- works, chiefly on the 
southern side, were drawn quite across the island. The position was natu- 
rally strong, the approaches difficult, and the foi'tifications, though not suffi- 
cient to resist heavy artillery, were believed capable of sustaining any at- 
tempt at storm. The garrison containing some of the best troops of the 
American army, was commanded by Colonel Magaw, a brave and intelli- 
gent officer. 

General Howe, who had retired slowly from the White Plains, encamped 
at a small distance from King's Bridge, on the heights of Fordham, with his 
right towards the North river, and his left on the Brunx. Detachments 
from his army having previously taken possession of the ground about West 
Chester, works were erected at Haerlem creek, to play on the opposite 
vorks of the Americans, and every preparation being made for an assault, 



220 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the garrison was summoned (on the 15th of November,) to surrender on 
pain of being put to the sword. Colonel Magaw replied, that he should de- 
fend the place to the last extremity. The summons was immediately com- 
municated to General Greene, at Fort Lee, and by him to the commander- 
in-chief, then at Hackensack. He immediately rode to Fort Lee, and though 
late in the night, was proceeding to Fort Washington, where he expected to 
find Generals Putnam and Greene, when, in crossing the river, he met those 
officers, returning from visiting that post. They reported that the garrison 
was in high spirits, and would make a good defence ; on which, he returned 
with them to Fort Lee. 

Early next morning. Colonel Magaw posted his troops partly in the outer- 
most lines, partly between those lines, on the woody and rocky heights, 
fronting Haerlem river, where the ground being extremely difficult of ascent, 
the works were not closed; and partly on a commanding hill, lying north of 
the fort. Colonel Cadwalader, of Pennsylvania, commanded in the lines, 
Colonel Rawlings, of Maryland, on the hill towards King's Bridge, where 
his regiment of riflemen was posted among trees, and Colonel Magaw, him- 
self, in the fort. 

The strength of the place did not deter the British general from attempting 
to carry it by storm. A desire to save time, at this late season of the year, 
was the principal inducement to this determination. About ten o'clock, the 
assailants appeared before the works, and moved on to the assault in four 
quarters. Their first division, consisting of two columns of Hessians and 
Wal deckers, amounted to about five thousand men, under the command of.. 
General Knyphausen, advanced on the north side of the fort against the hill 
where Colonel Rawlings commanded, who received them with great gal-' 
lantry. The second, on the east, consisting of the first and second battalions ' 
of British light infantry, and two battalions of guards, was led on by Briga- .' 
dier-general Mathews, supported by Lord Cornwallis, at the head of the 
first and second battalions of grenadiers, and the thirty-third regiment. 
These troops crossed Haerlem river, in boats, under cover of the artillery • 
planted in works which had been erected for the purpose, on the opposite 
side of the river, and landed within the third line of defence, which crossed 
the island. The third division was conducted by Lieutenant-colonel Stirling,. ' 
who passed the river higher up; and the fourth, by Lord Percy, accompa- 
nied by General Howe, in person. This division was to attack the lines in ■ 
front, on the south side.* ; 

The attacks on the north, and south, by General Knyphausen, and Lord 
Percy, were made about the same instant on Colonels Rawlings and Cad-' . 
walader, wlio maintained their ground for a considerable time ; but while 
Colonel Cadwalader was engaged in the first line against Lord Percy, on 
the south, the second and third divisions, which had crossed Haerlem river, 
made good their landing, and soon dispersed the troops fronting that river, 
as well as a detachment sent by Colonel Cadwalader, to support them. 
These being overpowered, he deemed it necessary to abandon the lines, and 
a retreat was commenced towards the fort, which, being conducted with con- 
fusion, a part of his men were intercepted by the division under Colonel 
Stirling, and made prisoners. The resistance on the north, was conducted 
with more courage, and was of longer duration. Rawlings maintained his 
ground with firmness, and his riflemen did vast execution. A three gun 
battery, north of the fort, also played on Knyphausen, with much eflfect. 
The Germans were repulsed several times with great loss; and, had every 
other part of the action been equally well maintained, the assailants, if ulti- 

* Genera! Howe's letter. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 221 

mately successful, would have had much reason to deplore their victory. At 
length, by dint of perseverance and numbers, the Hessian columns gained the 
summit of the hill ; after which, Colonel Rawlings, perceiving the danger 
which threatened his rear, retreated under the guns of the fort. 

Having carried the lines, and all the strong ground adjoining them, the 
British general again summoned Colonel Magaw to surrender. While the 
capitulation was progressing. General Washington sent him a billet, request- 
ing him to hold out until the evening, when he would endeavour to bring off 
the garrison; but Magaw had already proceeded too far to retract; and it is 
probable the place could not have resisted an assault from so formidable a 
force as threatened it on every side. The most essential difficulties had been 
overcome : the fort was too small to contain all the men ; and their ammuni- 
tion was nearly exhausted. Under these circumstances, the garrison sur- 
rendered prisoners of war. 

The loss on this occasion was the greatest the Americans had sustained. 
The garrison was stated by General Washington, at about two thousand 
men ; yet, in a report published as from General Howe, the number of pri- 
soners is stated at two thousand six hundred, exclusive of officers. Either 
General Howe must have included in his report, persons who were not sol- 
diers, or General Washington, in his letter, must have comprised only the 
regulars. The last conjecture is most probably correct. The loss of the 
assailants is variously stated, at from eight to eleven hundred men. It fell 
heaviest on the Germans. 

XV. The surrender of Fort Washington, induced a determination to 

evacuate Fort Lee ; and a removal of the stores to the interior of Jersey, 

immediately, commenced. But on the 19th of November, before this could 

be completed, a detachment of the enemy, commanded by Lord Cornwallis, 

amounting to about six thousand men, crossed the North river, below Dobbs' 

Ferry, and endeavoured by a rapid march, to enclose the garrison between 

the Hudson and the Hackensack rivers. The safety of the garrison required •< 

. its instant withdrawal from the narrow neck of land, which was with great 

•vdifficulty effected, by a bridge over the latter river. With Fort Lee, all the 

■heavy cannon, except two twelve pounders, together with a large quantity of 

; provisions and military stores, fell into the hands of the enemy. The want 

, 'of wagons rendered this loss inevitable. 

After crossing the Hackensack, General Washington posted his troops 
along the western bank ; but he could not defend it with an army of only 
three thousand effectives, exposed, without tents, to the inclement season 
which already prevailed, in a level country without an entrenching tool, and 
among people no wise zealous for the American cause ; and being still en- 
closed by two rivers, the Hackensack and Passaic, his position was, thereby, 
rendered more dangerous. This gloomy condition was not cheered by the 
prospect of the future. No reliance could be placed on reinforcements from 
any quarter. The general made every exertion to collect an army, and in 
the mean time to impede, as much as possible, the progress of the enemy. 
General Carleton having retired from before Ticonderoga, he directed Ge- 
neral Schuyler to hasten to his assistance, the troops of Pennsylvania and 
New Jersey. But the march was long, their term of service nearly expired, 
and they refused to re-enlist. General Lee was directed to cross the North 
river, and hold himself in readiness, if the enemy should continue the cam- 
paign, to join the commander-in-chief; but his army, too, from the same 
. fatal cause, was melting away, and would soon be totally dissolved. Gene- 
-ral Mercer, who commanded part of the flying camp stationed about Bergen, 
was called in, but these troops had engaged to serve, only, until the first of 
December, and like other six months' men, had abandoned the army in great 



222 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

numbers. No hope existed of retaining the remnant, after they should 
possess a legal right to depart. 

Under these circumstances, no serious design could be entertained of de- 
fending the Hackensack. A show of resistance was momentarily preserved, 
with a view of covering the few stores which could be removed. General 
Washington, with Real's, Heard's, and part of Irvine's brigades, crossed at 
Acquackanonck Bridge, and took post at Newark, on the south side of the 
Passaic. Soon after he had marched. Major-general Vaughan, at the head 
of the British dragoons, grenadiers, and light infantry, appeared before the 
new bridge over Hackensack, and the American detachment in the rear being 
wholly unable to defend it, could only break it down, and retire before him 
over the Passaic. 

General Washington having entered the open country, halted for a few 
days, to endeavour to collect such a force, as might preserve the semblance 
of an army. The better to effect this, he despatched General Mifflin to Penn- 
sylvania, where he possessed great influence, and Colonel Joseph Reed, his 
adjutant-general, long known and highly valued in New Jersey, to Governor 
Livingston, to press upon him the absolute and immediate necessity of ' 
making further exertions to prevent the whole state from being overrun. 

In this perilous state of things, he found it necessary to detach Colonel 
Forman of the New Jersey militia, to suppress an insurrection which threat- 
ened to break out in the county of Monmouth, where great numbers were 
well disposed to the royal cause. Nor was this the only place from which 
there was reason to expect the enemy might derive aid. Such an indisposi- 
tion to further resistance began to be manifested throughout the state, as to' 
excite serious fears respecting the conduct which might be observed when<, 
Lord Cornwallis should penetrate further into the country.* 

Unable to make effective resistance, as the British crossed the Passaic, • 
General Washington abandoned his position behind it ; and on the 28th of 
November, as Lord Cornwallis entered Newark, he retreated thence to 
Brunswick. The time had now come, (December 1,) when the Maryland 
and Jersey levies in the flying camp, became entitled to their discharge, and 
he had the extreme mortification to behold his small army, still more en- 
feebled by the abandonment of these troops almost in sight of an advancing 
enemy. The Pennsylvania militia of the same class had engaged to serve ' 
until the first of January; but so many of them deserted, that it became ne- 
cessary to place guards on the roads and ferries over the Delaware to appre- 
hend the fugitives. 

From New Brunswick, the commander-in-chief, again, urged upon Gover- 
nor Livingston, that the intention of the enemy was, to pass through New 
Jersey to Philadelphia, and that some cflicacious measures should be adopted, 
to call out the strength of the state to his support, and its own defence. But"" 
it was not in the power of the governor to furnish the aid required. The 
Legislature, which had removed from Princeton to Trenton, and from Tren^ 
ton to Burlington, had now adjourned, and the members had returned to their 
homes to protect their own more peculiar interests. The well affected part 
of the middle counties was overawed by the British army. The lower coun- 
ties were haunted by tories, or paralyzed by their non-combatting Quaker 
population, and the militia of Morris and Sussex turned out slowly and re- 
luctantly. f Washington, also, again urged General Lee to hasten to his 
assistance. 

The troops were continued in motion for the purpose of concealing their 
weakness, and of retarding the advance of Cornwallis, by creating an opiniop 

* Marshall, Wash. Lett. t Ibid. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 223 

that the Americans meditated to attack him ; but as the British van came in 
view, and approached the opposite side of the bridge, he was compelled to 
quit New Brunswick. Leaving Lord Stirling in Princeton with two brigades 
from Virginia and Delaware, amounting to twelve hundred men, to watch the 
enemy, he continued his march with the residue of the army to Trenton. 
Directions had already been given to collect and place under sufficient guard, 
all the boats on the Delaware, from Philadelphia upwards, for seventy miles, 
so that a hope might be reasonably entertained that the progress of the ene- 
my would be stopped at this river ; and that in the mean time, reinforcements 
might arrive, which would enable him to dispute its passage. Having, with 
great labour, transported the {ew remaining military stores and baggage over 
the Delaware, he determined to remain as long as possible with the small 
force which still adhered to him on the northern banks of that river.* 

This retreat into, and through New Jersey, was attended with almost every 
circumstance that could embarrass and depress the spirits. It commenced 
immediately after the heavy loss at Fort Washington. In fourteen days 
after that event, the whole flying camp claimed its discharge, and other troops 

■ also, whose engagements terminated about the same time, daily departed. 
The two Jersey regiments which had been forwarded by General Gates, 
under General St. Clair, went off to a man, the moment they entered their 

■ own state. A few officers without a single private, were all of these regi- 
, ments which St. Clair brought to the commander-in-chief. The troops who 
• were with Washington, mostly of the garrison of Fort Lee, were without 

tents, blankets, shoes, and the necessary utensils to di-ess their provisions. 
In this situation, the general had the address to prolong a march of ninety 

, miles, to the space of nineteen days. During his retreat, scarce an inhabit- 
ant joined him, whilst numbers daily flocked to the royal army, to make 
their peace, and beg protection. On the one side, was a well appointed full 
clad army, dazzling by its brilliance, and imposing by its success ; on the 
other, a few poor fellows whose tattered raiment but too well justified the 
soubriquet o? ^'- ragamuffins," with which the sneering tories rei)roached them, 
fleeing for their safety. The British commissioners issued a proclamation 
commanding all persons assembled in arms against his Majesty's government, 
to disband and return to their homes ; and all civil officers to desist from their 
treasonable practices, and to relinquish their usurped authority. A full par- 
don was offered to all, who within sixty days would appear before an officer 
of the crown, claim the benefit of the proclamation, and subscribe a declara- 
tion of his submission to the royal authority. Seduced by this proclamation, not 
only the ordinary people shrunk from the apparent fate of the country in this 
its murkiest hour, but the vapouring patriots who sought office and distinction 

': at the hands of their countrymen, when danger in their service was distant, 
now crawled into the British lines, humbly craving the mercy of their con- 
querors; and whined out, as justification, that though they had united with 
others, in seeking a constitutional redress of grievances, they approved not 
the measures lately adopted, and were at all times opposed to independcnce.f 
General Washington having secured his baggage and stores, and finding 
Cornwallis pause at Brunswick, he, on the 6th of December, detached twelve 
hundred men to Princeton, in hope, that by appearing to advance, he might 
not only delay the progress of the British, but in some degree, cover the 

. country and re-animate the people of New Jersey. 

XVI. The exertions of General Mifflin, though making little impression 

. * Marshall. 

t Dr. Ramsay has given to political infamy, the names of Galloway and Allen, of 
Pennsylvania, he might have added those of Tucker, and others, of New Jersey. 



224 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

on the state of Pennsylvania at large, were highly successful in Philadelphia. 
A large proportion of that city, capable of bearing arms, had associated for 
the defence of the country; and fifteen hundred now marched to Trenton. A 
German battalion was also ordered by Congress to the same place. On re- 
ceiving this reinforcement, Washington commenced his march to Princeton; 
but before he could reach it, he received intelligence that Lord Cornwallis, 
also, strongly reinforced, was rapidly advancing from Brunswick by different 
routes to get into his rear. Thus a retreat even across the Delaware, became 
indispensable. 

On the 8th of December, having secured the boats, and broken down the 
bridges on the roads leading along the Jersey shore, he posted his army on 
the western bank in such a manner, as to observe the fords by which the 
enemy must pass. As the American rear guard crossed the river, the British 
army came in sight. The main body halted at Trenton, whence detach- 
ments were thrown out above and below, so as to render uncertain where 
they might attempt to pass. Small parties, unimpeded by the people of the 
country, reconnoitred the river for a considerable distance. If the British 
general as reported, had brought boats with him, it would have been impos- 
sible for Washington, with his small force, to prevent the passage. From 
Bordentown, four miles below Trenton, the Delaware turns westward, and 
forms an acute angle with its upper course, so that Cornwallis might cress 
high up and be as near Philadelphia as the American army. For this reason, 
Washington advised, that lines of defence should be drawn from the Schuyl- 
kill about the heights of Springetsbury, eastward to the Delaware, and Gen- 
eral Putnam was ordered to superintend them. General Mifflin, who had 
just returned to camp, was again despatched to the city to take charge of the .; .'i 
numerous stores it contained. 

Cornwallis made some unsuccessful attempts to seize a number of boats, 
guarded by Lord Stirling, about Coryell's Ferry ; and having repaired the / 
bridges below Trenton, advanced a strong detachment to Bordentown, de- 
monstrating the design of crossing the river at points above and below 
Trenton, and to march in two columns, directly, to Philadelphia; or com- 
pletely to envelope the American army. 

To counteract this plan, some galleys were stationed, so as to communi- . 
cate the earliest intelligence of movements below, and to afford aid in repel- 
ling an attempt to cross the river, whilst the commander-in-chief made other 
dispositions to prevent the passage above, which, he believed, the real object ' " 
of the enemy. Four brigades under Generals Lord Stirling, Mercer, Ste- • 
phens, and De Fermoy, were posted from Yardley's to Coryell's Ferry, in, 
such manner as to guard every suspicious point of the river, and to assist each 
other in case of attack. General Irvine, with the Pennsylvania remnant of , 
the flying camp, and some Jersey militia under General Dickenson, were ■. 
posted from Yardley's down to the ferry opposite Bordentown. Colonel 
Cadwalader, brother of him taken at Fort Washington, with the Pennsyl- 
vania militia, occupied the ground on either side of the Neshaminy as far as 
Dunk's Ferry, where Colonel Nixon was posted with the third Philadelphia 
battahon. Precise orders were given to the commanding officer of each de- 
tachment for his conduct, directing his route in case he should be driven 
from his post, and the passes he should endeavour to defend, on his way to 
the high grounds of Germantown, where the army was to rendezvous if 
forced from the river. 

In the mean time. General Washington continued his exertions to aug- 
ment his army. Expresses wei'e sent through the counties of Pennsylvania, 
and to the governments of Delaware and Maryland, urging them to forward 
their militia without delay. General Mifflin, whose popular eloquence had 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 225 

been most serviceable, was again directed to repair immediately to the neigh- 
bouring counties, and Congress declared it of the highest importance, that he 
should make a progress through the state of Pennsylvania, to rouse its free- 
men to the immediate defence of the city and country ; naming a committee 
to assist him in the good and necessary work. General Armstrong of Penn- 
sylvania, was, at the same time, despatched by General Washington, into 
that part of the state, where he possessed most influence. In the hope of 
thus obtaining adequate force, even for offensive operations, General Heath 
was called from Peck's-kill, and General Gates ordered on with regulars of 
the northern army. 

XVII. Although General Lee had been frequently directed to join the 
commander-in-chief, he tardily obeyed, manifesting a strong disposition to 
retain his separate command, and rather to hang on, and threaten the 
rear of the British army, than to strengthen that in their front. With this 
view, in opposition to the judgment of Washington, he proposed to establish 
himself at Morristown. Again urged to march, still declaring his opinion in 
favour of his own proposition, he proceeded, i-eluctantly, towards the Dela- 
ware. Whilst passing through Morris county, near Baskingridge, at the 
distance of about twenty miles from the British encampment, he, very indis- 
creetly, quartered, under a slight guard, in a house about three miles from his 
troops. Information of this circumstance was given, by a countryman, to 
Colonel Harcourt, then, with a body of cavalry, watching his movements, 
who, immediately, formed and executed the design of seizing him. Early in 
the morning of the twelfth of December, by a rapid march, his corps reached 
Lee's quarters. The general, receiving no intimation of his approach, until 
the house was surrounded, became a prisoner, and was borne off in triumph 
to the British army ; where, for some time, he was treated, not as a prisoner 
of war, but as a deserter from the British service. 

This misfortune made a painful impression throughout America. The 
confidence, originally placed in General Lee, alike due to his experience and 
talents, had been increased by his success, whilst commanding the southern 
department, and by the conviction, that his advice, to which was ascribed the 
operations in New York, which defeated the plans of General Howe, would, 
if more closely followed, have prevented the losses at Fort Washington and 
Fort Lee. No officer, save the commmander-in-chief, had so large a share 
of the confidence of the army and country, and his capture was universally 
bewailed, as the greatest calamity which had befallen the American arms. 

XVIII. General Sullivan, on whom the command devolved after the loss 
of Lee, promptly obeying the orders which had been given to that officer, 
joined Washington, by the way of Phillipsburg, on the twentieth of Decem- 
ber. On the same day. General Gates arrived with some northern troops. 
By these and other reinforcements, the American army was augmented to 
about seven thousand effective men. 

Having failed to obtain boats for crossing the Delaware, the Bi-itish gene- 
ral determined to close the campaign, and retire into winter quarters. About 
four thousand men were cantoned, on the Delaware at Trenton and Borden- 
town, at the White Horse and Mount Holly ; and the remainder of the army 
was distributed from that river to the Hackensack. Still, Washington be- 
lieved, that an attempt to gain Philadelphia would be made, should the ice 
become sufficiently firm to bear the army. He supposed, also, that one of 
the objects of General Howe, in covering so large a portion of New Jersey, 
was to impede the recruiting service. To counteract this, three regiments 
marching from Peck's-kill, were halted at Morristown, and united with about 
eight hundred Jersey militia, who had collected at the same place, under 
•Colonel Ford, the whole being placed under the command of General Max- 
2F 



226 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

well of New Jersey. He had orders to watch the motions of the enemy, to 
harass their marches, give intelligence of their movements, especially, of 
such as might be made from Brunswick towards Princeton or Trenton, to 
keep up the spirits of the militia, and to prevent the inhabitants from going 
within the British lines, from making their submission, and taking protec- 
tions. 

Whilst these measures were in progress, the commander-in-chief laboured 
to impress upon Congress, the necessity of still further exertions to form a 
permanent army, particularly, to increase the cavalry, artillery, and engi- 
neers, and, also, to enlarge his own powers, which were incompetent to 
many cases that daily occurred. The moment was certainly one of fearful 
interest. The existing army, except a few regiments from Virginia, Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland, and New York, affording an effective force of about 
fifteen hundred men, would dissolve in a few days. New Jersey had, in a 
great measure, submitted, and the militia of Pennsylvania had not displayed 
the alacrity which had been expected; and should the frost bridge the Dela- 
ware, it was to be dreaded, that General Howe would seize Philadelphia, 
and that its capture might induce the belief, that the contest had become 
desperate. 

XIX. But even this deepest gloom had its ray of hope, — the first beam of 
a rising sun of unparalleled brightness. In the dispersed situation of the 
British army, General Washington perceived the opportunity of striking a 
blow which might retrieve the holy cause, in the public opinion, and recover 
the ground he had lost. He formed the daring plan of attacking, at the same 
instant, all the British posts on the Delaware. If successful in whole or in 
part, he would erase the impression made by his losses and retreat, would 
compel his adversary to compress himself so, as no longer to cover New 
Jersey, and would remove from Philadelphia the imminent danger which 
threatened it. The merit of having originally suggested this attack, may, 
according to Dr. Gordon, be claimed for General Joseph Reed.* 

Washington proposed to cross the river, in the night, at M'Konky's Ferry, 
about nine miles above Trenton, with four thousand troops, under his own . 
immediate command, assisted by Generals Sullivan and Greene, and Colonel , 
Knox, of the artillery ; to march down in two divisions, one by the river, and 
the other by the Pennington road, both leading to the town, — and that they 
might reach their destination by five o'clock of the next day, to pass them 
over the river by twelve o'clock. General Irvine was directed to cross at 
the Trenton Feny, and to secure the bridge below the town, to prevent the.' 
escape of any part of the enemy by that road ; and General Cadwalader to 
pass at Dunks' Ferry, and carry the post at Mount Holly. It had been de- . 
signed to unite the troops engaged in fortifying the city of Philadelphia, with 
those of Bristol, and to place them under the command of General Putnam; 
but there were such indications, in that city, of an insurrection in favour of 
the royal cause, that it was deemed unsafe to withdraw them. 

The weather, on the night of the twenty-fifth of December, was very 
severe; mingled snow, hail, and rain, fell in great quantities, and so much 
ice was made in the river, that, the division passing at M'Konky's Ferry • 
could not be gotten over, before three o'clock, and it was near four, before 
the fine of march could be taken up. As the distance by either road to- , 
Trenton was the same, it was supposed that each column would arrive there 
about the same time. Orders were, therefore, given to attack at the instant 
of arrival, and after driving in the out-guards, to press rapidly after them into 
the town, so as to prevent the main body from forming. 

* Gordon's American Revolution, vol. ii. p. 391. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 227 

General Washington accompanied the upper column ; and arrived at the 
out-post on that road precisely at eight o'clock. He immediately drove it in, 
and in three minutes heard the discharge from the column on the river road. 
The picket guard kept up a fire from behind houses as they retreated, but the 
Americans Ibllowed with such ardour and rapidity, that they could make no 
stand. Colonel Rawle,* a gallant officer who commanded in Trenton, pa- 
raded his men, in order to meet the assailants. In the conimenconent of the 
action he was mortally wounded ; upon which his troops attempted to file off 
from the right, and gain the road to Princeton. Washington threw a de- 
tachment in their front, and at the same time advanced rapidly on them in 
person. Being surrounded, and their artillery already seized, they laid 
down their arms, and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. 

Unfortunately, the quantity of ice rendered it impracticable for General 
Irvine to execute the part of the plan allotted to him. He was unable to 
cross the river; and of consequence the lower road towards Bordentown 
remained open. About five hundred men, among whom was a troop of 
cavalry, stationed at the lower end of Trenton, availed themselves of this 
circumstance, and crossing the bridge in the commencement of the action, 
escaped. The same cause prevented General Cadwalader from attacking 
the post at Mount Holly. With infinite difficulty, he got over a part of his 
infantry ; but it being impracticable to transport the artillery, the infantry 
returned. t 

Although in consequence of the extreme severity of the night, the plan 
failed in many of its parts, the success attending that assumed by General 
Washington in person was complete. One thousand of the enemy were 
made prisoners, and as many stands of arms, with six field pieces, were se- 
cured. About twenty of the enemy were killed, including officers. On the 
part of the Americans, two privates were killed, two frozen to death, and 
one officer, and three or four privates, were wounded. 

Had the divisions of General Irvine and Cadwalader crossed the river, the 
British would, probably, have been swept from the banks of the Delaware,:}: 
and Washington would have taken a position in the Jerseys. But it was 
now deemed unadvisable to hazard the loss of the advantage already gained, 
and the general crossed the river with the prisoners and stores he had taken. 

XX. The British commander was greatly astonished by this unexpected 
display of vigour on the part of the American General. Knowing the en- 
feebled condition of his army, and the expectation of its immediate dissolu- 
tion, he had supposed the war almost at an end ; and, probably, looked for- 
ward to a triumph at Philadelphia, so soon as the river Delaware should be 
rendered passable by frost, when this energetic apparition, as if from the 
dead, awakened him from a delightful dream. He determined, though in the 
depth of winter, to recommence active operations ; and Lord Cornwallis, 
who had retired to New York, for the purpose of embarking for Europe, 
suspended his departure and returned, to the Jerseys, in great force, for the 
purpose of regaining the ground which had been lost. 

Meanwhile, Count Donop, who commanded the troops posted below 

* Quere? Rahl. 

t Marshall. Wash. Lett. 

X How practicable this would have been, appears from the following fact. Colonel 
Reed, who was with the division of Cadwalader, passed the ferry with the van of the 
infantry. He immediately despatched some trusty persons to examine the situation of 
the troops at Mount Holly. The report made by his messengers was, that they had 
looked into several houses in which the soldiers were quartered, and had found them, 
generally, fast asleep, under the influence, as was conceived, of the spirituous liquors 
they had drank the preceding day, which was Christmas. That there appeared to be 
no apprehension of danger, nor precautions against it. 



228 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Trenton, learning the disaster which had befallen Colonel Rawle, imme- 
diately commenced his retreat by the road leading to Amboy, and joined 
General Leslie at Princeton. The next day General Cadwalader took post 
on the Jersey shore, with orders to harass Ihe enemy if he could do so safely, 
but to put nothing to hazard until he should be joined by the continental bat- 
talions. General Mifflin now joined General Irvine with a detachment of 
Pennsylvania militia, amounting to about fifteen hundred men, who were also 
ordered to cross the Delaware. 

XXV. Once more at the head of a force with which he might attempt 
something, the general-in-chief resolved not to remain inactive. Inferior as 
he was to the enemy, he yet determined to employ the winter in endeavour- 
ing to recover the whole, or the greater part of Jersey. 

With this view, he ordered General Heath, at Peck's-kill, on the North 
river, to leave a small detachment of troops at that place, and, with the main 
body of the New England militia, to move into Jersey, and approach the 
British cantonments. General Maxwell was directed to collect the militia, 
to harass their flank and rear, and to attack their out-posts. Having made 
these dispositions, Washington again crossed the Delaware, with his conti- 
nental regiments, and took post at Trenton. Here he exerted all his influ- 
ence to prevail on the troops from New England, whose terms of service ex- 
pired on the last day of December, to continue during the present exigency, 
and, with infinite difficulty, and a bounty of ten dollars, many were induced 
to re-engage for six weeks. 

The British were now (January, 1777) collected in force at Princeton, 
under Lord Cornwallis, where some works were thrown up ; and, as they 
advanced a strong corps towards Ti'enton, and knew that the troops from 
New England were entitled to be discharged, it was justly expected they' 
would attack the American army. 

Generals Mifflin and Cadwalader, who lay at Bordentown and Cross- 
wicks, with three thousand six hundred militia, on the night of the first of 
January, joined the commander-in-chief, whose whole effective force, with this 
addition, did not exceed five thousand men. 

Lord Cornwallis advanced the next morning. About four o'clock in the'' 
afternoon, after some slight skirmishing with a small party detached to 
Maidenhead to harass and delay his march, his van reached Trenton, while •' 
the rear was at Maidenhead, about half way between Princeton and Trenton. , 
On his approach, General Washington retired across the Assunpink, a ■ 
creek which runs through the town, behind which he drew up his army. 
The British attempted to cross at several places, but the fords being guarded, ' 
they halted and kindled their fires. The American troops kindled their fires ,' 
likewise, and a cannonade was kept up on both sides until dark. 

The situation of General Wsshington was, now, again extremely critical., 
If he maintained his present position, it was certain that he would be attack- 
ed, next morning, by a force, in all respects, superior to his own ; and the j 
result would, most probably, be the destruction of his little army. If he at- 
tempted to retreat over the Delaware, now covered with ice, which, in con- 
sequence of a few mild and foggy days, was not firm enough to march upon, 
a considerable loss, perhaps a total defeat, would be sustained. In any event, ' ^> 
the Jerseys would once more be entirely in possession of the enemy ; the' 
public mind would again be depressed, recruiting be discouraged by his ap- . 
parent inferiority ; and Philadelphia would a second time be in the grasp of; 
General Howe. It was obvious, that the one event or the other would deduct' ' 
greatly from the advantages promised by his late success ; and, if it should 
not render the American cause, absolutely, desperate, would very essentially- 
injure it. 



I: 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 229 

XXII. In this state of things, he formed the bold and judicious design 
of abandoning the Delaware, and marching silently in the night by a circui- 
tuous route, along the left flank of the British army, into their rear at Prince- 
ton, where he knew they could not be very strong. After beating them 
there, he proposed to make a rapid movement to Brunswick, where their 
baggage and principal magazines lay, under a weak guard. 

A council of war having approved this plan, prepai-ations were imme- 
diately made for its execution. As soon as it was dark, the baggage was 
removed silently to Burlington ; and about one o'clock in the morning of the 
third, after renewing their fires, and leaving their guards at the bridge and 
other passes over the creek, the army decamped with perfect secrecy, taking 
the Quaker road to Princeton. Here, three British regiinents had encamped 
the preceding night, two of which commenced their march early in the morn- 
ing to join the rear of their army at Maidenhead. About sunrise,* when 
they had proceeded about two miles, they saw the Americans advancing on 
the left, in a direction which would enter the road in their rear. They im- 
mediately faced about, and, repassing Stonybrook, moved under cover of a 
copse of woods towards the Americans, whose van was conducted by Gene- 
ral Mercer. A sharp action ensued, which, however, was not of long dura- 
tion. The militia, of which the advanced party was principally composed, 
soon gave way, and the few regulars attached to them were not strong 
enough to maintain their ground. While gallantly exerting himself to rally 
his broken troops, General Mercer was mortally wounded, and the van was 
entirely routed. But the fortune of the day was soon changed. The main 
body of the army, led by General Washington in person, followed close in 
the rear, and attacked the enemy with great spirit. Persuaded that defeat 
would irretrievably ruin the affairs of America, he advanced in the very 
front of the battle, and exposed himself to the hottest fire of the enemy. He 
was so well supported by the same troops who, a few days before, had served 
at Trenton, that the British, in turn, were compelled to give way. Their 
line was broken, and the two regiments separated from each other. Colonel 
Mawhood, who commanded that in front, and who, being, therefore, on the 
right, was nearest the rear division of the army under Lord Cornwallis, re- 
tired to the main road and continued his route to Maidenhead. The fifty- 
fifth regiment, which was on the British left, being hard pressed, fled, in con- 
fusion, across the fields and great road, into a back road leading between 
Hillsborough and Kingston towards Bi'unswick.f The vicinity of the British 
forces at Maidenhead, secured Colonel Mawhood from pursuit, and General 
Washington pressed forward to Princeton. The regiment remaining in that 
place took post in the college, and made some show of resistance ; but the 
artillery being brought up, it was abandoned, and the greater part of them 
were made prisoners. A few saved themselves by a precipitate retreat to 
Brunswick. 

In this action, upwards of one hundred of the British were killed, and 
near three hundred were taken prisoners. The loss of the Americans in 
killed was somewhat less, but in this number was included General Mercer, 

* " The march of the army had been rendered much more expeditious, than it could 
9therwise have been, by a fortunate change of weather. On the evening of the 
second, it became excessively cold, and the roads which had become soft, were ren- 
dered as hard as pavement." 

. t " Tliis account of the battle of Princeton varies, in some of its circumstances, 
especially in the manner of meeting the enemy, from that originally given. The 

■ papers in possession of the author do not state the relative situation of the armies 
when the action commenced. He is indebted for that information to a very intelli- 
gent friend, to whom he feels great obligation, which it gives him much gratification 
to acknowledge." — Marshall. 



230 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

a very valuable officer from Virginia, who had served with the commander- 
in-chief ill the war ayainst the French and Indians, which terminated in 
1763, and was greatly esteemed by him. Colonels Haslett and Potter, 
brave and excellent officers from Dclawax'e and Pennsylvania; Captain 
Neal of the artillery, Captain Fleming, who on that day commanded the 
seventh Virginia regiment, and five other valuable officers, were also among 
the slain. 

On the appearance of daylight,* Lord CornwaUis discovered that the 
American army had moved off in the night, and immediately conceived the 
plan of Washington. He was under extreme apprehension tor Brunswick, 
where were magazines of great value, with the military chest containing 
about seventy thousand pounds. Breaking up his camp, he commenced a 
rapid march to that place, for the purpose of affording it protection ; and was 
close in the rear of the American army before it could leave Princeton. 

XXIII. General Washington was again in a very perilous situation. His 
small army was exhausted with extreme fatigue. His troops had been 
without sleep, all of them one night, and some of them two. They were 
without blankets ; many of them barefooted, and otherwise thinly clad ; and 
he was eighteen miles from his point of destination. He was closely pursued . 
by an enemy, much superior in point of numbers, well clothed and fresh, 
and who must necessarily come up with him before he could accomplish . 
his designs on Brunswick, if any opposition should there be made to him.' 
He, therefore, wisely, determined to abandon the remaining part of his plan;f • 
and breaking down the bridges over Millstone Creek, between Princeton and . 
Brunswick, he took the road leading up the country to Pluckemin, where. ' 
his troops were permitted to refresh themselves, and to take that rest which ; 
they so greatly required. Lord CornwaUis continued his march to Bruns- 
wick, which he reached in the course of that night. General Matthews, who . 
commanded at that place, had been greatly alarmed; and while he took. 
measures to defend himself, the utmost industry was used to remove thfr, 
military stores to a place of greater safety. >'. 

The sufferings of the American army had been so great, from the seve- 
rity of the season, and the active service in which they had been engaged j 

* " The time when this movement of the American army was discovered by Lord 'j 
CornwaUis, is taken from the British accounts. In the United States it was under-, 
stood that the firing towards Princeton gave him the first intimation of the skilful 
manoeuvre of the preceding night. It was also generally said at the time, that in the 
preceding evening, when the British army reached Trenton, Sir William Erskiri^' 
urged an immediate attack, but Lord CornwaUis was disposed to defer it until the 
next morning, as his troops were fatigued by their day's march from Princeton, and 
the Americans were so hemmed in by the Delaware, filled with ice, on one side, and 
Crosswick's Creek, which is navigable for sloops, in their rear, that a retreat was 
impossible, and he could make sure work in the morning. To this observation. Sir 
William is said to have replied, " If Washington is the general I take him to be, his 
army will not be found on its present ground in the morning." The author has lately 
received this anecdote in a manner which induces him to think it worthy of more 
credit, than he had supposed it to be entitled to, while he received it merely as the 
report of the day." — Marshall. 

'• It is also an additional proof of the secrecy with which this manoeuvre was exe- 
cuted, that some militia field officers who had retired into the rear, to get a good night's 
sleep, were, next morning, absolutely unable to say, what had become of the American 
army." — Ibid. 

t " A council was held oil horseback, and some gentlemen advised that he should 
file off to the southward. On crossing the Millstone river at Kingston, the guides 
were directed to take the road leading to the northward, through Hillsborough, but 
before they reached Somerset court-house, many of the infantry, worn out with fa- 
tigue, fasting and want of rest, lay down and fell asleep by the way. But the object 
of Lord CornwaUis being to save Brunswick, he did not turn aside to molest the Ame- 
rican army." — Ibid. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 231 

their complaints, especially on the part of the militia, were so loud, their 
numbers were reducing so fast, by returning home, and by sickness, that 
General Washington found it impracticable, further to prosecute offensive 
operations. It was, therefore, deemed absolutely necessary to retire to Mor- 
ristown, in order to put his men under cover, and to give them some repose. 

The affairs of Trenton and Princeton were represented, and considered 
as great victories. They were believed, by the body of the people, to evi- 
dence the superiority of their army, and of their general. The opinion that 
they were engaged in a hopeless contest, yielded to a confidence that proper 
exertions on their part, would be crowned with ultimate success. 

This change of opinion relative to the issue of the war, was accompanied 
with an essential change in conduct ; and although the regiments required 
by Congress were not completed, they were made much stronger than, before 
this happy revolution in the aspect of public affairs, was believed to have 
been possible. 

XXIV. The firmness manifested by Congress throughout the gloomy and 
trying period which intervened between the loss of Fort Washington, and 
the battle of Princeton, gives the members of that period a just claim to the 
admiration of the world, and to the gratitude of their fellow citizens. Un- 
awed by the dangers which threatened them, and regardless of personal 
safety, they did not for an instant admit the idea, that the independence they 
had declared was to be surrendered, and peace to be purchased by return- 
ing to their ancient colonial situation. As the British army advanced through 
Jersey, and the consequent insecurity of Philadelphia rendered an adjourn- 
ment of Congress from that place to one further removed from the seat of 
war, a necessary measure of precaution, their exertions seemed to increase 
with their difficulties. They sought to remove the despondence which was 
seizing and paralyzing the public mind, by an address to the states, in which 
every argument was suggested which could rouse them to vigorous action. 
They made the most strenuous efforts to animate the militia, and impel them 
to the field, by the agency of those whose popular eloquence best fitted them 
ibr such a service. 

-.., When reassembled at Baltimore, their resolutions exhibited no evidences 
of confusion or dismay ; and the most judicious efforts were made, by col- 
lecting, as soon as possible, a respectable military force, to repair the mis- 
chief produced by past errors. 

■ Declaring, that in the present situation of things, the very existence of 
civil liberty depended on the right execution of military powers, to a vigorous 
direction of which, distant, numerous, and deliberative bodies were entirely 
unequal, they authorized General Washington to raise sixteen additional 
regiments, and conferred upon him, for six months, powers for the conduct 
of the war, which were almost unlimited.* 

XXV. And that no doubt might be entertained among foreign nations, 
j and, particularly, in France, whose aid they were soliciting, Congress de- 
' clared their determination, to listen to no terms founded on their resumption 

of the character of British subjects: but trusting the event to Providence, and 
. risking all consequences, they resolved to adhere to the independence they 
' had declared, and to the freedom of trade they had proposed to all nations. 
Copies of these resolutions were sent to the principal courts in Europe, and 
proper persons appointed to solicit their friendship to the new formed states. 
These despatches fell into the hands of the British, and by them were pub- 
lished; a circumstance, by no means, unacceptable to the Congress, who 
were persuaded, that an apprehension of an accommodation with Great 

* Marshall. 



I 



232 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Britain, was a principal objection to the interference of foreign courts, in 
what was represented to be no more than a domestic quarrel. A resolution, 
adopted in the worst fortune, that Congress would listen to no terms of re- 
union with the parent state, would, it was believed, convince those who 
wished for the dismemberment of the British empire, that it was sound policy 
to prevent the conquest of the United States. 

XXVI. Tlie favourable change in the affairs of the Americans, was in no 
place so sensibly felt as in New Jersey, where the people suiTered all the 
horrors which could flow from a licentious and almost unrestrained soldiery. 
When the royal army entered Jersey, the inhabitants, pretty generally, 
remained in their houses, and many thousands received printed protections, 
signed by order of the British commander-in-chief. This event, in the lan- 
guage of Governor Livingston, " enabled the patriots more effectually to 
distinguish their friends from their enemies. It winnowed the chaft'from the 
grain. It discriminated the temporizing politician, who, on the first appear- 
ance of danger, determined to secure his idol — property, at the hazard of the 
general weal, from the persevering patriot, who, having embarked his all in 
the common cause, chose rather, to risk, rather, to lose that all for the pre- 
servation of the more inestimable treasure Liberty, than to possess it upon the 
ignominious terms of tamely resigning his country and posterity to perpetual 
servitude." But it did more, "It opened the eyes of those who were made to 
believe that their impious merit in abetting the persecutors, would exempt them 
from being involved in the common calamity."* Neither the proclamation 
of the commissioners, nor protections, saved the people from plunder, or in- 
sult. Their property was taken and destroyed without distinction of persons.- 
They exhibited their protections, but the Hessians could not read and would. # 
not understand them, and the British soldiers deemed it foul disgrace that the_,. 
Hessians should be the only plunderers. Discontents and murmurs increased" . 
every hour with the ravages of both, which were almost sanctioned by ge-\ 
nei-al orders,f and which spared neither friend nor foe. Neither age nor sex 
protected from outrage. Infants, children, old men, and women, were left 
naked and exposed, without a blanket to cover them from the inclemency of 
winter. Furniture which could not be carried away, was wantonly destroyed; 
dwellings and out-houses burned, or rendered uninhabitable; churches, and, 
other public buildings consumed; and the rape of women, and even very;'; 
young girls filled the measure of woe. Such miseries are the usual fate of - 
the conquered, nor were they inflicted with less reserve, that the patients 
were rebellious subjects. But even the worm will turn upon the oppressor.-.': 
Had every citizen been secured in his rights, protected in his property, and 
paid for his supplies, the consequence might have been fatal to the cause of 
independence. What the earnest commendations of Congress, the zealous 
exertions of Governor Livingston, and the state authorities, and the ardent 
supplications of Washington could not effect, was produced by the rapine and* j 
devastations of the royal forces. *. 'I 

The whole country became instantly hostile to the invaders. Sufferers 
of all parties rose as one man to revenge their personal injuries. Those who 
from age and infirmities were incapable of military service, kept a strict 
watch upon the movements of the royal army, and from time to time, coraii 

* Livingston's Address to the Assembly, 28th February, 1777. 

t The orders of General Howe to Count Donop, directed that "all salted and meal; 
provisions, which may be judged to exceed the quantity necessary for the subsistence 
of an ordinary family, shall be considered a magazine of the enemy, and seized for the 
King, and given to the troops as a saving for the public." Under such an order, the 
pickling tubs, and garners of every Jersey farmer became lawful prize ; the captor 
being judge of the necessary quantity for the family subsistence. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 283 

municated information to their countrymen in arms. Those who lately de- 
clined all opposition though called on by the sacred tie of honour, pledged to 
each other in the declaration of independence, cheerfully embodied, when 
they found submission to be unavailing for the security of their estates. This 
is not to be attributed wholly to the victories of Trenton and Princeton. In 
the very moment of these actions, or before the results were known, indi- 
viduals, ignorant of Washington's movements, concerted insurrections to re- 
venge their peculiar injuries. The contest had its source in the unrighteous 
claim of the British statesmen, to appropriate the property of the colonists 
against their consent. It was reanimated by a new and direct application of 
the principle by the British army. Men who could not apprehend the con- 
sequences of British taxation, nor of American independence, could feel the 
injuries inflicted by insolent, and cruel, and brutal soldiers. The militia of 
New Jersey, who had hitherto behaved shamefully, from this time forward, 
generally, acquired high reputation ; and throughout a long and tedious war, 
conducted themselves with spirit and discipline scarce surpassed by the regu- 
lar troops.* In small parties they now scoured the country in every direc- 
tion, seized on stragglers, in several slight skirmishes behaved unexceptionably 
well, and collected in such numbers as to threaten the weaker British posts, 
with the fate which those at Trenton and Princeton had already experienced. 
In a few days, indeed, the Americans had overrun the Jerseys. The enemy 
was forced from Woodbridge; General Maxwell surprised Elizabethtown, 
and took near one hundred prisoners with a quantity of baggage ; Newark 
was abandoned, and the royal troops were confined to New Brunswick and 
Amboy, judiciously selected for the double purpose of again penetrating the 
country, and of keeping up a safe communication with New York. Within 
four days after the affair at Princeton, between forty and fifty Waldeckers 
were kdled, wounded, or taken, at Springfield, by an equal number of the 
same Jersey militia, which but a month before, had abandoned all opposition. 
This enterprise was conducted by Colonel Spencer, whose gallantry was re- 
warded with the command of a regiment. On the 20th of January, General 
Dickenson, with about four hundred militia, and fifty of the Pennsylvania 
riflemen, defeated near Somerset court-house, on the Millstone river, a forag- 
ing party of the enemy of about equal number, and took forty wagons, 
upwards of one hundred horses, and many cattle and sheep, which they had 
collected. They retreated so precipitately, that he made but nine prisoners, 
but many dead and wounded were carried off in light wagons. The general 
received much praise for his courage and conduct; for though his troops 
were raw, he led them through the river middle deep, and charged with so 
much impetuosity, that the enemy, notwithstanding he had three field pieces, 
gave way and left the convoy. About a month after this affair. Colonel 
Neilson of New Brunswick, with a detachment of one hundred and fifty 
militia, surprised and captured Major Stockton, (one of the numerous family 
of that name, who, from his treachery, was called " double Dick,") at the 
head of fifty-nine privates, refugees, in British pay. 
; The three months which followed the battle of Trenton, passed away 
' without any important military enterprise, other than we have described. 
[ Major-general Putnam took post at Princeton, in order to cover the country 
! in the vicinity. He had only a few hundred troops, though he was no more 
' than eighteen miles distant from the strong garrison of the British at Bruns- 
wick. At one period, he had fewer men for duty, than miles of frontier to 
' guard. The situation of General Washington at Morristown, was not more 
' eligible. His force was inconsiderable, compared with that of the British ; 

" Ramsay. 
i 2G 



234 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

but the enemy and his own countrymen believed the contrary. Their de- 
ception was cherished and artfully continued by the specious parade of a 
numerous army. The officers, in positions difficult of access, by a constant 
communication with each other, secured themselves from insult and surprise. 

XXVI. While the enemy was thus surrounded, and harassed by an al- 
most imaginary army, whose parts disappeared at the approach of any con- 
siderable force, but instantly presented themselves when that force retreated, 
General Washington came to the hazardous, but judicious, resolution, of de- 
livering himself and his future force from the dread of a calamity, which he 
could not elude, and which had been more fatal in his camp, than the sword 
of the enemy. 

The small-pox, of all the agents of death, was the most painful and hideous. 
Inoculation had not yet in America, stripped it of its terrors ; nor vaccina- 
tion rendered it impotent. In despite of the utmost vigilance, it had pene- 
trated to the northern and middle armies, and impaired the strength of both. 
In the northern, especially, its havoc had been so great, that the delay, re- 
quisite to obtain the command of Lake Champlain, alone, prevented the Bri- 
tish army from reaching the Hudson. To neutralize the virulence of the 
pest, inoculation was now resorted to. With all possible secrecy, prepara- 
tions were made to give the infection to the troops in camp, at Philadelphia, 
and other places; and thus an army was procured exempt from a calamity, 
the very fear of which endangered the most important operations. 

XXVII. The hostile spirit which now displayed itself in the State of New 
Jersey, was encouraged by a politic and humane proclamation, issued by the 
commander-in-chief, about the last of January, directed to those who had 
submitted to, and taken protection from, the enemy ; discharging the obliga- 
tions created by their oaths of allegiance to the king, and requiring them to 
repair to head quarters, or to the quarters of the nearest general officer, and 
to swear allegiance to the United States, as the condition of a full pardon. 
An act of Assembly, conceived in the same spirit, was passed a few 
months after. The beneficial effects of these measures were soon visible. 
The people flocked in from every quarter, to take the oaths ; but the Legis- 
lature could not, yet, be induced to pass an act, to bring the militia certainly 
into the field. 

XXVIII. Amid these testimonies of reviving patriotism, it is painful to 
record the crimes which were committed by American soldiers, and which 
were but too much encouraged by the heterogeneous organization of the 
army; for the correction of which. General Washington found it necessary, 
by proclamation, to prohibit, " both in the militia and continental troops, in 
the most positive terms, the infamous practices of plundering the inhabitants, 
under the specious pretence of their being tories. It is our duty," continued 
the proclamation, " to give protection and support to the poor, distressed 
inhabitants, not to multiply their calamities. After this order, any officer 
found plundering the inhabitants, under the pretence of their being tories, 
may expect to be punished in the severest manner." 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 235 



i 



CHAPTER XIV. 



I. Organization of the New Jersey State Government — 11. First Address of the 
Governor — Other principal Officers. — III. Condition of the State at this period. 
IV. State of the Northern Department — Operations on the Lakes. — V. The Bri- 
tish seize Rhode Island. — VI. Demonstration of General Heath, on Long Island. 
— Condition of the American Army, in New Jersey — Skirmishing. — VII. Early 
efforts of Sir William Howe, to destroy the American Magazines — Stores burned 
at Peck's-kill — at Danbury. — VIII. Successful enterprise of Colonel Meigs, 
against Sagg Harbour. — IX. Movements of General Washington, on opening the 
Campaign — Removal of the Army to Middlebrook — Disposition of the Troops. 
X. Operations of the Army under General Howe — Feint to cross the Delaware — 
Retreat from New Jersey — Returns, and attacks the American Army. — XI. Per- 
plexity of Washington, caused by the Movements of the British Forces. — XII. Cap- 
ture of Major-general Prescott, by Major Barton. — XIII. General Howe embarks 
for the southward — Measures of Washington thereon. — XIV. Attempt of General 
Sullivan, with Colonel Ogden, upon the Tories on Staten Island. — XV. Arrival of 
the British Army at Elk River — its Progress — Operations of the American Army — 
Battle of Brandywine. — XVI. Subsequent movement of the Armies. — XVII. Se- 
cond encounter of the hostile Armies — they are separated by rain. — XVIII. Af- 
fairs of Paoli. — XIX. The British enter Philadelphia. — XX. Congress remove to 
Lancaster, thence to York. — XXI. Attack and defence of the Fortifications on the 
Delaware. — XXII. Battle of Germantown. — XXIII. Operations in New Jersey. — 
XXIV. Further proceedings on the Delaware. — XXV. Repulse of Count Donop, 
from Fort Mercer. — XXVl. General Greene despatched to New Jersey. — 
XX VII. Capture of Fort Mifflin, and abandonment of Fort Mercer.— XX VIII. At- 
tempt of General Dickenson on Staten Island. — XXIX. American Army rein- 
forced.— XXX. Attacked at White Marsh, by the British.— XXXI. The Ameri- 
can Army retires into Winter Quarters. — XXXII. English plans for the North- 
ern Campaign. — XXXIII. Condition of the American Northern Department. — 
XXXIV. Burgoyne captures the Forts on the Lakes, and disperses the American 
Army. — XXXV. Recuperative measures of General Schuyler. — XXXVI. Re- 
pulse of St. Leger, from Fort Schuyler.— XXXVII. Defeat of Colonel Baum, 
at Bennington. — XXXVIII. Beneficial result of these fortunate Events. — 
XXXIX. Battles on the Hudson, and Capture of Burgoyne.— XL. Movements 
of Sir Henry Clinton, in the Highlands.— XLI. Effect of the Capture of Bur- 
goyne — at home and abroad. — XLII. Congress refuse to execute the Articles of 
Capitulation — their reasons. 

I. The first Legislature of independent New Jersey, convened at Prince- 
ton, on the 27th of August, 1776. John Stephens was elected vice-president 
of the Council, and John Hart, speaker of the House of Representatives ; 
and on the 31st of the month, William Livingston, Esq., was chosen in joint 
ballot, governor of the new State. This appointment removed him from a 
mihtary command, at Elizabethtown, alike incompatible with his years, his 
habits, and his previous studies, to one, for which the employments of his life 
had admirably prepared him. On the first ballot, the votes were equally 
divided, between him and Richard Stockton; but on the second, on the suc- 
ceeding day, he had a majority, of how many does not appear.* His rival, 

* Dr. Gordon, (Hist. Revolution, vol. ii. p. 300,) says—" There was an equal num- 
ber of votes for him and Mr. Stockton ; but the latter having, just at the moment, 
refused to furnish his team of horses, for the service of the public, and the Legislature 
coming to the knowledge, the choice of Mr. Livingston took place immediately." — 
Mr. Sedgwick, in his life of Governor Livingston, very properly repudiates this rea- 
son, and observes — " I am told by a person formerly intimate with John Cleve Symmes, 
at this time a member of council, that he had often said between jest and earnest, 
' that he had made Mr. Livingston governor.' Whether by this, is meant, that, on the 



236 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

who, previous to the revolution, held a seat on the bench of the Supreme 
Court, was named chief-justice, but he refused the office. Governor 
Livingston continued to fulfil the duties of the executive, from this period 
until his death, a space of fourteen years, being annually re-elected, either, 
unanimously, or by large majorities. 

II. His first address to the Assembly, displays that deep devotion to liber- 
ty, that religious confidence in final success, that inextinguishable hatred of 
British oppression, with that attention to affairs, which made him one of the 
most efficient agents of American deliverance. " Let us, gentlemen," so 
closes this earnest call for their warmest sympathy, and most vigorous exer- 
tions, in the American cause, " both by precept and practice, encourage a 
spirit of economy, industry and patriotism, and that public integrity and 
righteousness, which cannot fail to exalt a nation ; setting our faces, at the 
same time, like a fint, against that dissoluteness of manners and political 
corruption, which will ever be the reproach of any people. May the founda- 
tion of our infant State, be laid in virtue and the fear of God — and the super- 
structure will rise glorious, and endure for ages. Then may we humbly 
expect the blessing of the Most High, who divides to the nations their inhe- 
ritance, and separates the sons of Adam.* In fine, gentlemen, whilst we 
are applauded by the whole world, for demolishing the old fabric, rotten and 
ruinous as it is, let us unitedly strive to approve ourselves master builders, 
by giving beauty, strength and stability to the new."f 

The other principal officers chosen for the organization of the govern- 
ment were, John De Hart, chief justice, Samuel Tucker, second, and Francis 
Hopkinson, third justices, and Jonathan D. Sergeant, clerk of the Supreme 
Court ; Charles Petit secretary of state, and Richard Smith treasurer. Mr. 
De Hart refusing the office of chief justice, Mr. Robert Morris was appointed ; 
the place of Mr. Tucker upon his declination, was given to Isaac Smith, and 
that of Mr. Hopkinson, on his acceptance of the admiralty in Philadelphia, 
was filled by John Cleves Symmes ; Mr. Sergeant refusing to act as clerk, 
Bowes Reed was appointed. 

III. The officers however, were continually changing, both military and 
civil ; and for the services of the latter, there was at this period, but too little 
occasion. The campaign of 1776, was the most trying period of the war, 
and drew largely upon the ability and fortitude of the governor and other 
constituted authorities of the state. On the 15th September, the city of New 
York fell into the hands of the enemy. Two months were consumed by the 
hostile armies on the east bank of the Hudson. But when, on the 10th of 
November, the fall of Fort Washington was followed by the passage of the 
North river, by the British forces under Cornwallis, by the abandonment of 
Fort Lee, and the rapid retreat of the American army, the scene of action 
was immediately transferred to the heart of New Jersey. 

Governor Livingston made the most strenuous exertions with the Assem- 
bly and with the people, to have the militia in the field to oppose the invading 
force. But it was not practicable to control the panic which had seized upon 
the mass of the population. The barefooted, and almost naked continental 

final vote, Governor Livingston had only a bare majority, or that Mr. Symmes in- 
duced the adherents of Mr. Stockton to Join those who were in favour of his rival, I 
doubt whether there are now any means of ascertaining." — p. 206. n. 

* Deut. xxxii. 8. 

t Votes of Assembly. From an expression in this paragraph, and his inflexible dis- 
position, the governor was, for some time after this, known by the name of Dr. Flint; 4 
and an anecdote is told of Mr. Ames, who, in some momentary confusion of ideas, at i 
a dinner in New York, where he met Governor Livingston, asked Dr. Flint, whether 
the town of Trenton was well or ill disposed to the new constitution. — Sedgwick's 
Livingston, 207. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 237 

army, retreating before the well appointed battalions of the enemy, impaired 
the confidence of the people, not less in the commander-in-chief, than in their 
own resources. The defenceless Legislature, with the governor at their 
head, removed from Princeton to Burlington, where they adjourned on the 
2d of December, each man retiring to his home, to take charge of his pecu- 
liar interests. There scarcely remained a vestige of the lately constituted 
government, or any who owed it allegiance ; and until the battle of Trenton, 
(25th December) New Jersey might have been considered a conquered 
country.* 

IV. Although the Americans had been driven from Canada, and the hope 
of its conquest, was, for the present abandoned, the defence of the northern 
department of the United States was of the greatest importance. The pos- 
session of lakes Champlain and George, by the enemy, might induce that of 
Albany and all the upper parts of the Hudson, and opening a free communi- 
cation between the northern British army, and that in New York, sever the 
eastern from the middle and southern states, and encourage the royalists of 
the middle and upper country, who were numerous, to show themselves in 
foi-ce. Under these impressions, such detachments were made from the ar- 
my under Washington, on the opening of the campaign of 1776, as to expose 
him to the greatest hazards. 

The northern department had been entrusted to General Schuyler, who, 
with high talents, possessed great influence in the country. General Gates 
had been named to the army in Canada, and though that army was now in 
the department of Schuyler, his senior officer, he still claimed the command. 
But Congress removed this difficulty by declaring, it was not their intention 
to place the former over the latter, and recommending them to co-operate 
harmoniously. 

When expelled from Canada, the Americans had retired to the strong post 
of Crown Point, at the south end of Lake Champlain, whither General 
Carleton, for want of vessels, was unable immediately to follow them. But 
this obstacle was removed by the incredible exertions, with which a consider- 
able fleet was built and equipped. General Schuyler, on his part, strenuously 
endeavoured to strengthen his little fleet, and to preserve the command of the 
lakes; but it was impracticable to obtain artillery, materials for ship building, 
or workmen, and his force was consequently much inferior to that of the 
enemy. Its command was given to the intrepid Arnold, from whom every 
thing was expected which courage could perform. 

The small pox, which had made such ravages in the preceding campaign, 
still infected the army, and communicating itself to the reinforcements, ren- 
dered it necessary to stop many on their march : and mortality from this and 
other causes, induced the general officers in council, in the month of July, to 
resolve on evacuating Crown Point, and to concentrate their forces about Ti- 
conderoga, a strong post, twelve miles from the former. This measure, ap- 
parently unavoidable, gave great chagrin to Congress, who entertained hopes 
of extending their operations to lakes Erie, and Ontario. 

The British, by the first of October, had upon the lake, a fleet carrying 
more than an hundred guns, navigated by seven hundred prime sailors, and 
conducted by Captain Pringle ; on board of which was General Cai'leton him- 
self. On the 11th it proceeded to attack Arnold, then very advantageously 

* The case of Samuel Tucker strongly illustrates the panic which prevailed among 
some of the whigs, on the invasion of the British. President of the convention which 
formed the constitution of the State — Chairman of the committee of safety, treasurer, 
aud subsequently, Judge of the Supreme Court, he took a protection of the British, 
and thus renounced allegiance to the state, and vacated his offices. Journal of Assem- 
bly, 17th December, 1777, and votes passim. Sedgwick's Livingston, 209, &c. 



238 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

posted with a much inferior force, in the passage between the island of Vali- 
cour, and the western main. The wind favouring him, he was enabled to 
keep up the engagement for several hours, during which, his best schooner 
was burnt, and another vessel was sunk ; but the enemy did not suffer less. 
Finding it impossible to renew the action with hopes of success, Arnold made 
his escape during the night, and was the next morning out of view of his pur- 
suers, hastening to obtain shelter under the guns of the fort at Ticonde- 
roga. But the enemy came up with him at noon, and he was compelled, after 
a spirited resistance of two hours, and the loss of another of his ships, with the 
second in command on board, to run the greater part of his vessels on shore, 
a few leagues from Crown Point, where he landed their crews in safety. A 
portion of his squadron passed Crown Point, and escaped to Ticonderoga. 
Those run on shore he burned, to prevent their capture by the conquerors. 
Crown Point was seized by General Carleton, who advanced part of his 
fleet into Lake George, within view of Ticonderoga, and his army approached 
that place as if to lay siege to it. But after reconnoitering the works, and 
observing the steady countenance of the garrison, which consisted of be- 
tween eight and nine thousand men, he concluded that it was too late in the 
season to invest the fortress, and returned to Canada, placing his troops in 
winter quarters, and making the Isle aux Noix his most advanced post. 
This retreat relieved the apprehensions of the Americans, and enabled Gene- 
ral Gates, as we have seen, to march with a detachment of the northern 
army, to aid the commander-in-chief on the Delaware. 

V. With the view of making his power more extensively felt, and of im- 
peding the march of the troops about to be raised in New England, for the 
reinforcement of the army of General Washington, General Howe despatch- 
ed an expedition consisting of a land force of three thousand men, under Sir 
Henry Clinton, and a fleet commanded by Sir Peter Parker, to take posses- 
sion of Rhode Island, which was accomplished about the last of November, 
without material opposition. This diversion was effective in its main object; 
and the English derived permanent advantage, and the Americans sustained 
lasting inconvenience, from their possession of this post. The last were de- 
prived of a harbour, admirably adapted to serve their maritime expeditions. 

VI. With these concise notices of events in the northern and eastern sec- 
tions of the country, we proceed to a more particular detail of those in New 
Jersey and the neighbouring states. Whilst Philadelphia was supposed to 
be in imminent danger, the militia of New England, in considerable num- 
bers, had been ordered to the Delaware ; and although many were detained 
by the invasion of Rhode Island, a few regiments reached the camp of Gene-' 
ral Heath, upon the North river, where they were arrested by the order of 
the commander-in-chief, for the purpose of making a diversion on the side 
of New York. The army in New Jersey, with the detachment to Rhode 
Island, it was supposed, had greatly reduced the British force in the city. 
About two thousand men were in the neighbourhood of King's Bridge, and all 
the other troops on the island were not estimated at a greater number. On 
Long Island, it was said, there was only Delancy's brigade of American 
loyalists, amounting to less than one thousand men. Under these circum- 
stances, it was presumed, that the New York and New Jersey militia might 
form a respectable army, with which General Heath might alarm, and, per- 
haps, more than alarm that important post. He was directed to approach 
King's Bridge, to carry off the forage and provisions with which the enemy 
might be supplied, and if circumstances should justify, to attack the forts 
which guarded the entrance into the island. In such event, it was anticipated, 
that fears for New York would induce General Howe, either to abandon the 
Jerseys entirely, when his troops would suflfer extremely through the winter, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 239 

for fuel, forage and provisions, or so to weaken his posts at Brunswick and 
Amboy, as to permit General Washington to attack them with advantage. 
Should neither of these results be produced, some advantages might be gained 
on York or Long Island. 

Pursuant to these views, General Heath marched* towards West Chester, 
and summoned Fort Independence; but the garrison refusing to surrender, 
he did not venture an assault with militia. Receiving intelligence that the 
British army had embai-ked from Rhode Island, and might, by entering the 
Sound, land in his rear, he was compelled to withdraw into the Highlands; 
not however, without the acquisition of considerable quantities of forage and 
cattle. 

VII. In the mean time, repeated skirmishes on the lines increased the 
distress of the enemy, and the confidence of the Americans in themselves. 
The British found it totally unsafe to forage but with large covering parties, 
which were often attacked with advantage, and their horses frequently taken. 
Their miserable appearance evinced the scarcity which prevailed in the camp. 
In these skirmishes, prisoners wei-e often made ; and frequent small successes, 
the details of which filled the papers throughout America, served to animate 
the people at large, who even supposed that the British would be driven to 
their ships for protection, so soon as the season would permit the armies to 
take the field. Yet the real situation of General Washington, happily 
concealed, both from the enemy and from his own countrymen, was ex- 
tremely critical. He was often abandoned by bodies of the militia, before 
their places were filled by others ; and, thus, left in a state of dangerous weak- 
ness, with all his positions exposed to imminent hazard. This was not the 
only inconvenience resulting from this fluctuating army. The soldiers car- 
ried ofl^ arms and blankets which had been unavoidably delivered to them, to 
be used while in camp, and thus wasted in advance, the military stores col- 
lected for the ensuing campaign.^ 

While exposed to these embarrassing inconveniences, the general received 
intelligence, that reinforcements were arriving from Rhode Island, and 
that the movement of General Heath had not produced the effects he had 
expected. His fears for Philadelphia revived ; and the New England troops, 
except so many as might be deemed necessary to guard the Highlands, were 
ordered immediately to join him. Heavy requisitions were also made on. 
the neighbouring militia, especially of New Jersey. 

The movement so much apprehended, was not made; and the war of 
skirmishes on the side of Jersey, continued throughout the winter. In the 
course of it, the British loss was supposed to be more considerable than they 
had sustained at Trenton and Princeton ; and hopes were entertained that, 
from the scarcity of forage, neither their cavalry, nor draught horses would 
be in a condition to take the field, when the campaign should open. 

This light war was far short of the hopes of the American General, who 
submitted, with infinite reluctance, to the inactivity his weakness imposed on 
him. He had flattered himself that the reviving courage of his countrymen 
would have placed at his disposal a force which would enable him to beat 
the enemy in detail, during the winter, and to repel the great exertions which 
would be made for the conquest of America in the ensuing summer. 

All the intelligence from Europe concurred in demonstrating the fallacy 
of the hope, still cherished by many, that the war would be abandoned. 
Never had the administration been supported by greater majorities in Parlia- 
ment ; and the body of the nation appeared well disposed to employ all its 
mc'fuis lo reannex to the empire its revolted colonies. The importance of 

* June, 1776. f Marshall's Washington. 



240 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

destroying, or maiming the present army before it could be reinforced was, 
consequently, felt in its full extent; and the commander-in-chief made the 
most strenuous endeavours to promote the recruiting service, and to collect 
the recruits in such numbers, as would enable him successfully to attack the 
British posts, either in Rhode Island, New York, or New Jersey. The state 
sovereignties, where the real energies of government resided, were, incessant- 
ly, urged to take effectual measures to fill their regiments, and to bring their 
respective quotas early into the field. They were pressed to march their 
recruits, so soon as they could be cleansed from the small-pox, by compa- 
nies, and even by parts of companies, to the several stations assigned them; 
and those general officers, who were supposed to possess most influence, 
were detached to their respective states, for the purpose of promoting and 
superintending the recruiting service. 

At the instance of the commander-in-chief, Congress passed such resolu- 
tions as were calculated to second his views. They authorized him to draw 
the eastern troops from Peck's-kill, who were to be replaced by New York 
militia; and required the executive of New Jersey, to order out the whole 
militia of that state, and the executive of Pennsylvania, such part of their 
militia as was contiguous to New Jersey, properly anned and equipped, to the 
aid of the general. 

When the season for active operations approached. General Howe direct- 
ed his first attention to the destruction of the scanty resources prepared by 
the Americans for the ensuing campaign. Magazines had been collected at 
Peck's-kill, in the Highlands, where mills had been erected, and the head- 
quarters of the general commanding, had been established. On the recall 
of General Heath, to Boston, the command had devolved on General M'Dou- 
gal. The strength of this post, like others depending upon militia, was sub- 
ject to great fluctuation ; consisting, at times, of several thousand men, at 
others, reduced to as many hundred. The stores collected here, were at 
this time inconsiderable; but the British general supposing them of great 
value, and slightly defended, on the 23d of March, 1777, despatched Colonel 
Bird, against the post, with five hundred men, under convoy of a frigate, 
and some smaller armed vessels. General M'Dougal, whose force did not 
exceed two hundred and fifty men, exerted himself to remove the magazines 
into the strong country, in his rear ; but before this could be effected, the 
enemy approached, and compelled him to retire, having first set fire to the 
store-houses and barracks. Colonel Bird completed the destruction, and re- 
turned to New York. 

Danbury, on the western frontier of Connecticut, contained a valuable 
deposit of military stoi-es, and though not more than twenty miles from the 
Sound, its safety was supposed to be assured by the nature of the country, 
the zeal of the militia, and by a portion of the Connecticut draughts, assem- 
bled there. But on the 25th of April, Governor Tryon, major-general of the 
provincials, in the British service, with Brigadiers Agnew, and Sir William 
Erskine, entered and fired the town, with all the stores it contained. Upon 
his retreat, he was assailed by about thirteen hundred militia, in several de- 
tachments, commanded by Generals Arnold, Silliman, and Wooster. In one 
of the several skirmishes, the last was killed. The enemy spent the night 
of the 27th at Ridgefield, and in the following morning resumed his retreat, 
and was again met by Arnold, with a force of one thousand, among whom 
were some continental artillery and infantry ; but he attained his shipping, 
with a loss of one hundred and seventy men, killed, wounded and taken 
prisoners. The loss of the Americans was nearly the same, but it included 
several officers of rank, besides General Wooster. General M'Dougal had 
learned the intention of Tryon, and endeavoured to intercept his retreat by a 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 241 

rapid march, with twelve hundred men, to which number his forces had 
increased ; but he could not arrive before the enemy had retired ; and there- 
fore hastily returned to his post at Peck's-kill. 

VIII. This enterprise was soon after retaliated by an expedition, under 
Lieutenant-colonel Meigs, who, on the 23d of May, with two hundred and 
thirty men, carried and destroyed a large depot of provisions and forage, at 
Sagg Harbour, on Long Island; eluding the numerous cruizers of the enemy, 
and making near a hundred prisoners, without the loss of a single man. 
Such was the celerity of Colonel Meigs's movements, that he transported 
his men, between Guilford and Sagg Harbour, ninety miles, by land and 
water, in twenty-five hours. 

IX. In the mean time, the American commander-in-chief, had formed his 
plan for the disposition of the army, when it should take the field. He was 
convinced, that while General Burgoyne, now in command of the British 
northern army, would either endeavour to take Ticonderoga, and penetrate 
to the Hudson, or join the grand army by sea. General Howe would en- 
deavour, by moving up the North river, to possess himself of the forts and 
high grounds, at present occupied by the Americans, or would attempt Phila- 
delphia. Yet uncertain as to which of those courses would be adopted, he 
determined to keep the high grounds of New Jersey, somewhat north of the 
road leading from Brunswick to Trenton. Encamped here, the army would 
cover New Jersey, and be at a convenient point to move, either for the pro- 
tection of Philadelphia, on the west, or the Highlands, on the east. In the 
uncertainty with which the first movements of the enemy were enveloped, 
and the equal necessity of defending the three great points, Ticonderoga, the 
Highlands of New York and Philadelphia, against two powerful armies, 
superior to him, in arms, numbers and discipline, it was necessary so to ar- 
range his force, as to enable the parts reciprocally to aid each other. To 
effect these purposes, the northern troops, including those of New York, 
were divided between Ticonderoga and Peck's-kill, while those from Jersey 
to the south, including North Carolina, were directed to assemble in New 
Jersey. If the army of Canada should join that of New York, by sea, the 
troops at Peck's-kill, and those in Jersey, could readily be united, either for 
defence of the Highlands, or of Philadelphia. If Burgoyne should attempt 
Ticonderoga, by way of the lakes, the force at Peck's-kill would afford aid 
to the army opposed to him. 

Upon these arrangements being made, the camp at Morristown was broken 
up, and the army removed to Middlebrook, behind a ridge of strong and 
commanding heights, not far from the Raritan, about ten miles from Bruns- 
wick; where General Washington repaired, in person, on the 28th of May, 
1777. The heights, in front of the camp, commanded the course of the 
Raritan, the road to Philadelphia, the hills about Brunswick, and a consi- 
derable part of the country between that place and Amboy ; affording a full 
view of the most interesting movements of the enemy. 

The force brought into the field by America, required all the aid of strong 
positions, and the most unremitting vigilance. On the 21st of May, the total 
of the army in Jersey, exclusive of the cavalry and artillery, amounted, 
only, to eight thousand three hundred and seventy-eight men, of whom, up- 
wards of two thousand were sick. The effective rank and file were only five 
thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight. In this return, the troops of North 
Carolina were not included, as they had not then joined the army ; and the 
militia of New Jersey, amounting to about five hundred men, were also 
omitted. Had this army been composed of the best disciplined troops, its in- 
feriority in numbers must have limited its operations to defensive war ; and 

2H 



242 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

have rendered it incompetent to protect any place, which could be defended 
only by battle in the open field. But more than half the troops* were unac- 
quainted with military duty, and had never looked an enemy in the face. 

A large proportion, especially from the middle states, were foreign- 
ers ; many of them servants, on whose attachment to the American cause 
it was not safe to rely. To avail himself of this unfavourable circum- 
stance, General Howe had offered a large reward to every soldier who 
would desert, and additional compensation to those who would bring their 
arrns. The effect of these promises had been seriously felt ; and their future 
operation, was greatly dreaded. To diminish this, and to allure, from the 
service of the enemy, those misguided Americans who had engaged with 
them, but might now wish to be again received into the bosom of their coun- 
try. General Washington had urged on Congress the policy of allowing all 
the advantages of freemen to the servants who had enlisted ; and of giving 
full pardon to all Americans, who would quit the British service. These 
recommendations, like almost every other proceeding from the same source, 
received the ready attention of Congress, and resolutions were passed in con- 
formity with them. 

As a movement of the enemy by land towards Philadelphia was probable, 
it was an important part of the plan of the campaign, to constitute on the 
western bank of the Delaware, an army of militia, strengthened by a few 
continental troops, under an experienced officer, to defend, in. front, the pas- 
sage of that river. To Arnold, then in Philadelphia, employed in the settle- 
ment of his accounts, this service was intrusted. 

General Sullivan lay at Princeton with a body of continental troops, 
increasing in number by recruits from the southward, and some Jersey 
militia. He was directed to hold himself in perpetual expectation of attack, 
to send his baggage and provisions to places less exposed, and to be in 
readiness to move at any instant to a place of greater security, where his 
left could not be so readily turned, and whence he might harass the flanks 
of the enemy on a march, and preserve a communication with the army at 
Middlebrook — by no means to risk a general action, but to act entirely as a 
partisan corps ; and on the fii'st movement of the British army to place his 
main body in security, and to harass them with parties detached for that pur- 
pose. Measures were also taken to put the militia of Jersey in readiness to 
take the field so soon as offensive operations should commence. It was in- 
tended, not that they should remain embodied for the purpose of strengthen- 
ing and acting with the continental army ; but that, ranging the country in 
small parties, they should hang upon, and harass the flanks of the enemy. 

X. The first and great object of the campaign, on the part of General Howe, 
was the acquisition of Philadelphia, which he originally designed to attain, • 
by marching through New Jersey, and crossing the Delaware by a portable 
bridge, constructed during the winter. But the delay in the arrival of the 
tents and camp equipage, from Europe, and the early organization, and fa- 
vourable position of the American army, caused him to devise another plan 
of operations, in case he could not draw the American general from his 
present advantageous position. This was to attempt Philadelphia by the 
Delaware or Chesapeake Bay. A demonstration was acordingly made, of 
proceeding to Philadelphia, by land. General Washington summoned to his 
assistance the continental troops, at Peck's-kill, with the exception of one 
thousand effectives, and in the mean time formed a select corps of riflemen, 

* The extreme severity of the service, aided perhaps by the state of the hospitals, 
had carried to the grave, more than two-thirds of the soldiers, w^ho had served the pre- 
ceding campaign and been engaged for more than one year. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 243 

under Colonel Morgan, which was posted at Vanvechten's-bridge, on the 
Raritan, just above its confluence with the Millstone river, with orders to 
watch the left flank of the British army. On any movement of the enemy, 
he was instructed to seize every opportunity to fall on their flank, to gall 
them as much as possible, but to take especial care not to permit himself to 
be surrounded, or to have his retreat to the army cut off. General Sullivan 
was directed to change his position, and to occupy the high grounds of 
Rocky Hill, as a place of greater security. 

With the view of inducing General Washington to quit his fortified camp, 
and to approach the Delaware, where he might bring on a general engage- 
ment, on ground more advantageous to himself, General Howe, leaving two 
thousand men at Brunswick, under the command of General Matthews, ad- 
vanced, on the morning of the 14th of June, in two colunans, towards that 
river. The front of the first, under Lord Cornwallis, reached Somerset 
Court House, by the break of day ; and about the same time, the second, 
under General de Heister, arrived at Middlebush, between Brunswick and 
Somerville, on a road east of that taken by Cornwallis. The feint was un- 
successful. On the first intelligence that the enemy was approaching, 
Washington posted his whole army, with great advantage, in order of battle, 
on the heights in front of his camp. This position he maintained during the 
day, and at night the troops slept on the ground to be defended. In the 
mean time, the militia of New Jersey, with an alacrity, heretofore unexam- 
pled in the state, took the field in great numbers ; principally joining Gene- 
ral Sullivan, who had retired behind the Sourland hills, towards Fleming- 
ton, where a considerable army was forming. 

Finding that the American army could not be drav/n from its position, 
and, probably, influenced in some degree, by the temper now manifested by 
the militia. General Howe determined to waste no more time in threatening 
Philadelphia by land, but to withdraw his army from Jersey ; and, pursuing 
the principal object of the campaign, to embark them, for the Chesapeak or 
the Delaware. On the 19th, in the night, he returned to Brunswick, and on 
the 22d, to Amboy ; where he threw over the channel which separates the con- 
tinent from Staten Island, the bridge designed for the Delaware, and passed 
over the heavy baggage and a few of his troops to that island, whence the 
embarkation of his army was to be made. This retreat was conducted with 
some marks of precipitation, and many of the farm houses on the route are 
said to have been burned. 

General Washington, expecting the movement from Brunswick, had 
made dispositions to derive some advantages from it. He detached General 
Greene, with three brigades, for the purpose of falling on, and annoying the 
British rear. General Sullivan was directed to move with his division, in 
order to co-operate with Greene, and Maxwell to ^all on the flank of the 
enemy. In the mean time, the main army paraded on the heights of Mid- 
dlebrook, ready to act as circumstances might require. 

About sunrise, Colonel Morgan attacked and drove in a picquet guard ; the 
enemy throwing themselves into some redoubts, which, on the approach of 
Wayne and Morgan they evacuated; immediately afl^er, they commenced 
their march to Amboy. Some sharp skirmishing took place between them 
and Morgan's regiment, in which the latter acted to the entire satisfac- 
tion of their general ; but the hope of gaining any important advantage was 
entirely disappointed. From his distance, and the late hour at which he re- 
ceived his orders, Sullivan was unable to come up in time ; the express sent 
to General Maxwell either deserted to the enemy, or was taken ; and the rear 
division of the British being stronger than was expected, the force on the 



244 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

lines could make no impression on it. From these causes, the retreat to 
Amboy was effected without any considerable loss. 

In order to cover his light parties, which still hung on the British flank 
and rear, and to injure the enemy, General Washington advanced six or 
seven miles from his strong camp at Middlebrook, to Quibbletovvn, on the 
road to Amboy. Lord Stirling's division proceeded a few miles still nearer, 
to the neighbourhood of Matouchin meeting-house, in order to act with 
the parties which were on the lines, should an opportunity offer for attack. 

In this state of things, it appeared practicable to General Howe to bring- 
on an engagement. With this view, and probably in the hope of turning the 
left of the American army, and gaining the heights behind them, on the 
night of the 25th, he recalled the troops which had passed over to Staten 
Island ; and early next morning, made a rapid movement in two columns 
towards Westfield. The right, under the command of Lord Corn wallis, took 
the route by Woodbridge to the Scotch Plains; and the left, accompanied by 
Sir William Howe in person, marched by Matouchin meeting-house, to fall 
into the rear of the right column. It was intended that the left should take 
a separate route, about two miles after their junction with the other column, 
in order to attack the left flank of the American army at Quibbletown ; while 
Lord Cornwallis should gain the heights on the left of the camp at Middle- 
brook. Four battalions, with six pieces of cannon, were detached to take 
post at Bonhamtown.* 

About Woodbridge, the right column of the British fell in with one of the 
light parties detached to watch their motions; and notice being thus received 
of this movement. General Washington immediately penetrated its object, and 
discerned his danger. The whole army was instantly put in motion. It re- 
gained with the utmost celerity the camp at Middlebrook, and took possession 
of the heights on the left, which it was supposed the enemy had designed to 
seize. Lord Cornwallis, on his route encountered Lord Stirling, and a 
smart skirmish ensued, in which the latter was driven from his ground with 
the loss of three field pieces and a few men. He retreated to the hills about 
the Scotch Plains, and was pursued as far as Westfield. Here Lord Corn- 
wallis halted. Perceiving the passes in the mountains on the left of the 
American camp to be guarded, and, of consequence, that the object for which 
this skilful manoeuvre had been made was unattainable, he returned through 
Rahway to Amboy ; and, on the 30th of June, the whole army crossed over 
to Staten Island. 

While retiring from Westfield, the British army was watched by the bri- 
gades of Scott and Conway ; the former entered Amboy immediately after 
that place had been evacuated ; but no opportunity was given, during the 
retreat, of attacking it to advantage. 

XI. About this time, news was received of the advance of General 
Burgoyne, towards Ticonderoga, which, with the delay in the embarka- 
tion of Sir William Howe's forces, kept the American commander-in-chief 
in great uncertainty as to the designs of the enemy ; and occasioned him to 
give orders for the return of two brigades to Peck's-kill, which had proceed- 
ed to Pompton Plains, to join him, and to despatch Parson's .and Varnum's 
brigades to that post. Still he could not divest himself of the opinion, that 
the attempt to cross the Delaware would be renewed ; and for some days 
he remained in his camp, at Middlebrook. A change of position from 
Prince's Bay, to the watering place, and a movement of the army to the lat- ' 
ter, with the military stores and baggage from the coast opposite Amboy, at 

* General Howe's letter 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 245 

length, relieved him from apprehensions of a sudden march on Philadelphia, 
and determined him to change his own position. He removed the main 
body of tlie army to Morristown, and advanced General Sullivan with his 
division, on the way to Peck's-kill, as far as Pompton Plains. 

The preparations for embarkation of the British general, indicated the in- 
ception of a much longer voyage than that up the North river ; and notice of 
these appearances were given to the eastern states ; but the advance of Bur- 
goyne, with a powerful army, against Ticonderoga, still induced the opinion, 
that the main object of Howe, must be to effect a junction with him, on the 
North river. Under this impression, Sullivan was ordered to Peck's-kill, 
and Washington, himself, proceeded to Pompton Plains, and on the 16th of 
July, to the Clove; where he determined to remain until the views of the 
enemy should be completely disclosed. 

In this position, he, at first, commanded, that the North Carolina troops 
which had stopped at Philadelphia, should join him ; but on receiving informa- 
tion that a great part of the British fleet had fallen down to the Hook, these 
forces wei-e stopped at Trenton, and Genei'al Sullivan was directed not to cross 
the North river. General Putnam, who now commanded at Peck's-kill, was 
cautioned to guard against any sudden attack from New York; success in 
which, would be the more deeply felt, in consequence of the loss of Ticonde- 
roga, and Mount Independence, which had fallen into the hands of Burgoyne. 
The information, that part of the fleet had dropped down to the Hook, was 
soon followed by intelligence, that the shipping were moving from the water- 
ing place to New York, and that several transports, convoyed by a ship of 
war, had proceeded as high as Dobbs' ferry. The passes in the Highlands 
were now supposed to be certainly their object, and Sullivan, who had been 
advanced as far as New Windsor, was ordered immediately to cross the 
Hudson, and to take post in the rear of Peck's-kill, on the east side of that 
river. Lord Stirling was also commanded to cross the river and join Ge- 
neral Putnam. 

XII. The perplexities of this moment were cheered by the intelligence 
of the capture of Major-general Prescott, the commander of the British 
troops on Rhode Island. Believing himself perfectly secure, guarded by 
his cruizers and at the head of an army greatly superior to any force col- 
lected in the eastern department, he indulged in convenient quarters, distant 
from camp, and with few guards about his person. Information of this ne- 
gligence being communicated to the main, Colonel Barton, of the Rhode Island 
militia, planned with success, the capture of the general, in his quarters. On 
the night of the 10th of July, with a party of about forty persons, including 
captains Adams and Phillips, in four whale boats, he crossed the water, a 
distance of ten miles, deceived the vigilance of the guard boats, landed, 
marched a mile to the general's quarters, seized the sentinel at the door, and 
one of the aid-de-camps, took the general from his bed, and without allowing 
him time to dress, carried him with secrecy and despatch to a plaee of safety. 
This clever exploit was the more highly appreciated, as it gave the Ameri- 
cans an officer of equal rank to exchange for General Lee. Congress pre- 
sented Colonel Barton with a sword, as a mark of their approbation. 

XIII. At length, the British fleet put to sea; having on board General 
Howe, and thirty-six British and Hessian battalions, including light infantry 
and grenadiers, with a powerful artillery, a New York corps, called the 
Queen's Rangers, and a regiment of light horse. The residue of the army 
was divided between New York and Rhode Island. On the receipt of the 
intelligence, the American army commenced its march, (July, 1777,) for the 
Delaware, under the conviction, that the fleet was destined for Philadelphia. 
But whilst preparing to meet Sir William Howe on a new theatre, the com- 



240 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

mander-in-chief took measures, also, to clieck the progress of Burgoyne; who, 
having obtained possession, by a greatly superior force, of Ticonderoga, and 
the lakes, was advancing southward towards New York. Letters were ad- 
dressed to the governments of the eastern states, urging them to reinforce 
with their militia, the retreating northern army. Major-generals Arnold 
and Lincoln, both influential with the eastern militia, were directed to join 
it ; and three brigades of New England continental troops from Peck's-kill, 
Morgan's rifle regiment, and two regiments from New York, were ordered 
upon the same service. 

On the 30th July, the enemy's fleet appeared off" the capes of the Dela- 
ware, and orders were given by Washington for concentrating his forces at 
Philadelphia. They were scarce issued, when a new disposition was occa- 
sioned, by tidings, that the fleet had departed from the Delaware Bay, and 
was proceeding eastwardly. No further intelligence of it was received, until 
the 7th of August, when it was seen a few leagues southward of the Delaware 
capes; after which it disappeared, and was not again heard of, until late in 
that month. Meanwhile, the most perplexing uncertainty concerning its des- 
tination, was universal. On entering the capes of the Delaware, the general 
was deterred by the difficulties of that river from ascending it, and resolved 
to proceed to the Chesapeake ; but was prevented by contrary winds, from 
reaching the mouth of the latter bay, until the 16th of August. 

Washington employed this interval in examining the country about Phila- 
delphia, and the works below the city ; and he came to the conclusion, that the 
defence of the river should be confined to the fort on Mud Island, and to Red 
Bank, a piece of high ground on the Jersey shore, opposite to the island. 
This opinion he communicated to Congress, with his intention to march to 
Coryell's ferry, (New Hope,) sufficiently near Philadelphia, whence he might 
readily regain the North river, should it be necessary. Upon the protracted 
absence of the British fleet, he determined to march thither, but on the very 
day of this determination, learned the arrival of the whole fleet in the Chesa- 
peake. 

XIV. The different divisions of the army were immediately ordered to 
unite, with the utmost expedition, in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, and 
the mihtia of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the northern counties 
of Virginia to take the field. These orders were received by General Sulli- 
van, who had been encamped in Jersey about Hanover, just on his return 
from an expedition to Staten Island. The British force there amounted to 
between two and three thousand men ; of whom nearly one thousand were 
provincials, stationed at different places on the coast opposite the Jersey 
shore. The European troops, amounting to sixteen hundred men, were 
in a fortified camp near the watering place. General Sullivan thought 
it practicable to surprise and bring off the provincials before they could be 
supported by the Europeans ; and he was the more stimulated to the attempt, 
by their occasional incursions into Jersey. They had lately penetrated 
as far as Woodbridge, and had carried off twelve individuals, noted for 
their attachment to the American cause.* This expedition was undertaken 
by Sullivan with the select troops of his division, aided by a few Jersey 
militia, under Colonel Frelinghuysen. They had to march about twenty 
miles to the place of embarkation ; where, only, six boats had been procured. 
Three of these were allotted to Colonel Ogden, who commanded one detach- 

* Mr. Stockton, member of Congress, and Mr. Fell, member of council, had previous- 
ly been made prisoners, and the person, nay, the life of Governor Livingston was 
daily threatened. Two thousand guineas are said to have been offered by the enemy 
for his capture. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 247 

ment intended to attack Colonel Lawrence, lying near the old Blazing Star 
ferry, and Colonels Dungan, and Allen, who lay about two miles from each 
other, towards Amboy. The other three were taken by General Deborre, 
accompanied by General Sullivan in person. He was to attack Colonel 
Barton near the new Blazing Star ferry, and, after securing that party, to 
assist Ogden. General Smallwood, with his brigade was to cross at Halsey 
point, and attack Buskirk's regiment near Decker's ferry. All the troops 
crossed before day, unperceived by the enemy. But, misconducted by his 
guides, Smallwood began his attack on a different point from that which was 
intended, in consequence of which, Buskirk's regiment made its escape; but 
Ogden and Deborre, were more successful. Lawrence and Barton were sur- 
prised, and, with several of their officers and men, were taken. The alarm 
being given, it became necessary for Sullivan precipitately to withdraw his 
forces from the island. It had been impracticable to obtain a sufficient num- 
ber of boats to embark all the troops at the same time ; and some confusion 
appears to have prevailed in this part of the business. General Campbell, 
Vi^ith a considerable force advanced upon them ; and the rear guard, after 
defending themselves for some time with gi-eat gallantry, were under the ne- 
cessity of" surrendering prisoners of war. 

In his letters to the commander-in-chief, and to Congress, General Sullivan 
reported, that he had brought off eleven officers, and one hundred and thirty 
privates ; and that a considerable number must have been killed in the differ- 
ent skirmishes. He stated his own loss to have been one major, one captain, 
one lieutenant, and ten privates killed, and fifteen wounded; and nine of- 
ficers, among whom were Majors Stewart, Tillard, and Woodson, and one 
hundred and twenty-seven privates, prisoners. 

In the account given by General Campbell, he claims to have made two 
hundred and fifty-nine prisoners, among whom were one lieutenant-colonel, 
three majors, tvvo captains, and fifteen inferior officers. 

XV. The British fleet ascended the Chesapeake Bay, and the Elk river ; and 
on the 25th of August, landed the army at the ferry, without a show of opposi- 
tion. Their whole force was computed at eighteen thousand men, in good health 
and spirits, trained to the service, abundantly supplied with the materiel of 
war, and led by a general of experience and military talent. If it were defi- 
cient in aught, it was in horses, which had suffered much during the preceding 
winter, and in the long voyage from New York to the Elk river. 

Great effort was made to increase the American army. The militia res- 
ponded to the call of their country in greater numbers than could be armed. 
The whole force was estimated at fifteen thousand, but the effectives, at not 
more than eleven thousand. Morgan's regiment of riflemen having been sent 
to the northern army, a light corps was formed by detachments from each 
brigade, and put under the command of General Maxwell ; who, during the 
preceding winter, had acquired reputation as a partisan officer. This corps 
was thrown in advance of the American army, but was driven in by a co- 
lumn under Lord Cornwallis with considerable loss. The conduct of Gene- 
ral Maxwell was much condemned by his officers, but he was acquitted of 
blame by a court-martial. Washington felt and deplored the absence of Mor- 
gan and his rifle corps. On the 3d of September, the British were encamped 
with their right about Pencader, with their left extending across Christiana 
creek, towards Newark. On the 5th, the whole American army, except the 
light infantry, took position behind Red Clay creek, having its left at New- 
port, on the Christiana, and on the road leading directly from the camp of 
Sir William Howe to Philadelphia. On the 8th, the main body of the enemy 
advanced by Newark upon the right of the American encampment, and took 
post within four miles of that place ; whilst a strong column made a show of 



248 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

attacking in front, and after manoeuvring for some time, halted at Milton, 
within two miles of the centre. General Washington perceived that the 
column in front was designed only to amuse, whilst the left should endeavour 
to turn his right, and, suddenly, crossing the Brandy wine, seize the heights 
on the north of that river, and cut off his communication with Philadelphia. 
To prevent this, he moved during the night over the Brandywine, and took 
post next morning behind the river, at Chad's Ford. The light corps under 
General Maxwell, was advanced in front, and the Pennsylvania militia under 
General Armstrong, were placed at a ford two miles below Chad's ; the right 
extended some miles above that place, with a view to other passes deemed 
less practicable. In this position, the general awaited the movement of his 
adversary. 

On the morning of the 11th, the whole British army advanced on the road 
leading over Chad's Ford, and the Americans prepared to defend the passage 
of the river. Some sharp skirmishing between the advanced column under 
Knyphausen, and the light corps of Maxwell, took place on either side, below 
the ford, with little damage to either party. About 1 1 o'clock, Washington, 
instructed that a division of the enemy had marched up the country, on the 
south of the Brandywine, formed the bold design of detaching Sullivan and 
Stirling to fall on its left, while he should cross the ford, and with the centre 
and left wing attack Knyphausen. At the critical moment, unhappily, erro- 
neous intelligence was received that the movement of the British on the left, 
was a feint only ; and about two o'clock, it was ascertained that a column, 
led by Cornwallis, having taken a circuit of seventeen miles, had passed the 
river above its forks, and was advancing in great force. The divisions of 
Sullivan, Stirling, and Stephens, marched to meet it ; and that lately com- 
manded by Lincoln, now by Wayne, remained at Chad's Ford, with Max- 
well's corps, to check Knyphausen ; whilst Green's division, and General 
Washington in person, formed a reserve and took a centi'al position. 

The divisions detached against Cornwallis, had scarcely formed on ad- 
vantageous ground, above Birmingham meeting-house, when the attack com- 
menced, at about half past four o'clock, and was for a season firmly sustained. 
The American right first gave way, exposing the flank of the remaining di- 
visions to a galling fire; and in a short time, the whole line was routed. 
General Washington pressed forward to support this wing, but arrived only 
in time to check the pursuit. This service was efficiently rendered by a 
Pennsylvania regiment under Colonel Stewart, and a Virginia regiment under 
Colonel Stephens. Whilst the right was thus engaged, Knyphausen forced 
the ford. The whole American army retreated that night to Chester, and 
the next day to Philadelphia. Its loss was estimated at three hundred killed 
and six hundred wounded, and three or four hundred, principally of the 
wounded, made prisoners. That sustained by the enemy was reported at one 
hundred killed, and four hundred wounded. Among the wounded of the 
Americans, were Brigadier-general Woodford, and the Marquis de La 
Fayette. 

XVI. The disposition to risk another battle was general, on the part of 
Congress, and the army. An opinion prevailed, which was carefully che- 
rished, that the British had gained, only, the ground. Fifteen hundred conti- 
nental troops were ordered from Peck's-kill, and directions given to the mi- 
litia of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the remaining adjacent country, to 
march to the aid of the army, whilst due measures were taken to complete 
the defences of the Delaware river. 

Sir William Flowe, lay on the night of the 1 1th, on the field of battle. On 
the succeeding day, Major-general Grant, with two brigades, took post at 
Concord meeting-house. On the 13th, Lord Cornwallis having united with 



i I 

1 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 249 

Grant, marched towards Chester. Another detachment seized Wilmington, 
whither the wounded were escorted. 

XVII. On the 15th, the American army was again collected, and intend- 
ing to gain the left of the British, had reached the Warren tavern, on the 
Lancaster road, when intelligence was received of the approach of the enemy. 
Washington hastened to meet, and attack him in front. Both armies, eager 
for battle, had scarce engaged, when they were separated by a tremendous 
storm of rain, which rendered the retreat of the Americans indispensable. 
The wretched condition of their arms, produced, at all times, an inequality be- 
tween them and the British ; and, on tliis occasion, caused them the most im- 
minent peril. Such was the effect of the rain upon the muskets and cartridge 
boxes, that of the former, scarce one in a regiment could be fired ; and in 
the latter, of forty rounds per man, scarce one was fit for use. The retreat 
was continued all the day, and the greater part of the night, through a cold 
and most distressing rain, and very deep roads, to the Yellow Springs; and 
subsequently, to Warwick Furnace, on French Creek. 

The weather, which compelled the flight of the American, arrested the 
progress of the British, army; and, until the 18th, it made no other move- 
ment, than to Unite the columns. It then took post at Trydriffin, whence a 
party was detached to destroy a magazine of flour and other stores, at the 
Valley Forge. The American commander, as soon as circumstances would 
permit, ordered General Wayne to join General Smallwood, in the rear of 
the enemy ; and, carefully concealing himself and his movements, to seize 
any occasion which might offer, to engage them with advantage. Mean- 
while, he himself crossed the Schuylkill at Parker's ferry, and encamped on 
both sides of Perkiomen Creek ; posting detachments at the several fords, by 
which it was presumed the enemy would attempt a passage. 

XVIII. Wayne had taken a position near the Paoli tavern, about three miles 
in the rear of the left wing of the British. Notwithstanding his precautions he 
was betrayed by some of the disaffected inhabitants ; and about eleven o'clock 
of the night of the twentieth, was surprised by a party of the enemy under 
Major-general Gray. His pickets were driven in, and gave the first intima- 
tion of Gray's approach. Wayne, instantly, formed his division ; and whilst 
his right was fiercely assailed, directed a retreat by the left, under cover of a 
few regiments, who, for a short time, withstood the shock. The British, 
aided by the light of the American fires, put to death three hundred of his 
troops, by the free and exclusive use of the bayonet ; sustaining a loss, 
themselves, of eight men, only. In consequence of animadversions on his 
conduct, Wayne demanded a court-martial, which unanimously acquitted 
him with honour. 

XIX. Sir William Howe marched from his position, along the valley road 
to the Schuylkill, and encamped on the banks of the river, his line extending 
to French Creek, along the front of the American army. This arrange- 
ment seeming to threaten Reading, which contained a large depot of stores, 
Washington changed his position and marched towards Pottsgrove, with 
his left above, but near, the British right. This movement left the roads 
to Philadelphia open to the enemy, and the capture of the city could be 
prevented, only, by an engagement. Though urged to this, by public opi- 
nion, Washington prudently declined it. His forces were not concentrated. 
Wayne and Smallwood had not joined him, nor had he received the Jersey 
militia he expected under General Dickenson. Of the actual state of his 
army, it may be enough to say, that more than a thousand of his troops 
were barefooted, and had performed the late evolutions in that condition. 
The want of necessaries was such, that Colonel Hamilton, one of the gene- 
ral's aids, had been authorized and employed to take forcible possession of 

21 



250 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

such linen, woollens, shoes, spirits, and other stores, as might be found in 
Philadelphia, giving certiticates of quantity and value to the owners. " Your 
own prudence," said the general to him, " will point out the least exceptiona- 
ble means to be pursued ; but remember, delicacy and a strict adherence to 
the ordinary mode of application must give place to our necessities." But 
no effort could obtain a supply for the pressing and growing wants of the 
army. The duty of securing the public stores, was, also, assigned to Colonel 
Hamilton, which he executed by transporting them up the Delaware. On 
the twenty-sixth of September, Lord Cornwallis, at the head of the British 
and Hessian grenadiers, entered Philadelphia, and the main body of the 
British army encamped at Germantown. 

XX. On the loss of the battle of the Brandywine, Congress resolved to 
remove to Lancaster. At this town they assembled on the twenty-seventh 
of the month, and soon after adjourned to Yorktown. 

XXI. To the secure possession of the city and the comfort of his army, 
General H^owe found the free navigation of the Delaware indispensable. But 
of this, he was wholly debarred by the fortifications, of Fort Mifflin, on Mud 
Island, at the confluence of the Schuylkill and the Delaware, and of Red 
Bank on the eastern shore; and by the chevaux defrise sunk in the chan- 
nel, between these batteries, and at a point three miles below, opposite to 
Byllingsport, where some imperfect works had been erected for their pro- 
tection. Whilst these defences were maintained, Howe could not communi- 
cate with his fleet; and the American vessels in the river, above the forts, 
would prevent him from foraging and obtaining provisions in New Jersey ; 
whilst the army of Washington might cut off his supplies from Pennsylvania. 
The disadvantages resulting from the vessels, however, were soon diminished 
by the capture of the Delaware frigate, the largest of them. 

Some British ships of war were already in the Delaware, and Captain 
Hammond, who commanded one of them, represented, that the possession of 
the fort at Byllingsport, which was feebly garrisoned, would enable him to 
raise the lower line of obstructions, and admit the fleet to Fort Mifflin. On ■ 
the twenty-ninth of September, Colonel Stirling, with two regiments, cap- 
tured it, without opposition; the garrison, on his approach, having spiked the 
artillery, and fired the barracks, withdrew without discharging a gun. This 
service performed, the detachment returned to Chester. On the third of 
October, another regiment was called from Germantown to Philadelphia, 
with orders to unite, on the next day, with Colonel Stirling. 

Washington had now received all the reinforcements he expected ; con- 
sisting of nine hundred continental troops from Peck's-kill, under General 
M'Dougal ; about six hundred militia from Jersey, under Brigadier-general 
Forman, (General Dickenson having been detained by the apprehension of a 
second invasion from New York) and about eleven hundred from Maryland, 
under General Smallwood. His effective strength, rank and file, amounted to 
eight thousand continental troops and three thousand militia. With this 
force, he, on the thirtieth of September, took a position on the Skippack road, 
twelve miles from the enemy's camp, sixteen from Germantown, and twenty 
from Philadelphia. The line, of encampment of the British army crossed 
Germantown at right angles with the main street, somewhat south of its 
centre, the lefl; wing extending to the Schuylkill. Lord Cornwallis continued 
at Philadelphia. 

Washington observing this division of the British force, formed the design 
of surprising the camp at Germantown, and thus giving a blow, which might 
decide the fate of the war. He proposed a simultaneous attack upon the 
wings, front and rear, which should be suddenly and vigorously made, and 
from which, the troops might expeditiously retreat, if it were unsuccessful. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 251 

Pursuant to his plan, the divisions of Sullivan and Wayne, flanked by Con- ■ 
way's brigade, were ordered to enter Germantown, by the way of Chesnut 
Hill, while General Armstrong, with the Pennsylvania militia, should fall 
down the Manatawny or .Ridge road, and gain the British left, and by Van- 
deering's or Robinson's Mill, attack its rear: the divisions of Greene and 
Stephens, flanked by M'Dougal's brigade, to take a circuit by way of the 
Limekiln road, and entering the town at the market house, attack the right 
wing: the militia of Maryland and Jersey, under Generals Smallwood and 
Forman, to march by the Old York road, and turning the right, to fall on 
its rear: the division of Lord Stirling, and the brigades of Nash and Max- 
well to form a corps de reserve : and parties of cavalry silently to scour the 
roads to prevent observation, and to keep up the communication between the 
heads of the columns. 

XXII. With these dispositions the army moved on the third of October, 
about seven in the afternoon. About sunrise the next morning, the advance 
of the column led by Sullivan, encountered and drove in a picket placed at 
Mount Airy, or Mr. Allen's house. 

The main body followed close, driving before it the fortieth regiment, 
commanded by Colonel Musgrave, until that officer threw himself, with six 
companies, into the large stone house of Mr. Chew, from which they galled 
the Americans, with a heavy and constant fire of musketry. Some attempts 
to storm this house, and an effort to bring a field piece to bear upon it, broke 
the line of the right wing, and with the darkness caused by an extraordinary 
fog, threw it into great confusion. The column led by Greene, arrived on 
its ground, and commenced an attack on the light infantry, in front of the 
British right wing. It was at first successful, and after driving in the pickets, 
forced the battalion of light infantry to give way. 

The country through which the army was advancing, abounded with 
'many small and strong enclosures, which broke the line, in every direction ; 
the fog obscured surrounding objects, and the commander-in-chief, could 
neither observe nor correct the confusion that commenced. The causes 
which separated the regiments, prevented them from discerning the situation 
of the enemy, and from improving the first impression, and directing their 
after efforts to advantage. The attacks on the flanks and rear were not 
made. The Pennsylvania militia came in view of the chasseurs, who flanked 
the left of the British line, but did not engage them, closely. The Maryland 
and Jersey militia just showed themselves, on the right flank, about the time 
Greene's column was commencing a retreat. 

These embarrassments gave the British time to recover from the conster- 
nation into which they had been thrown. Knyphausen, who commanded 
their left, detached one battalion to support the chasseurs; and part of the 
third and fourth brigades, under Generals Gray and Agnew, to attack the 
front of the column led by Sullivan, which had penetrated far into the village. 
Scott's and Muhlenberg's brigades were surrounded and made prisoners. 
The broken parts mistook each other for the enemy, and, whilst warmly 
engaged and sanguine of success, the main body of the army began to 
retreat. Washington was compelled to relinquish a victory he thought within 
his grasp, and to endeavour to secure his army. His retreat was, however, 
made without loss ; the enemy being unable to pursue. In the battle, about 
two hundred were killed and six hundred wounded. The principal damage 
was sustained from Chew's house, and in Germantown. About four hun- 
dred were made prisoners. Among the killed was General Nash of North 
. Carolina ; and among the prisoners. Colonel Matthews of Virginia. The 
British loss, as stated by General Howe, was one hundred killed and four 
hundred wounded. Among the former were Brigadier-general Agnew and 



252 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Colonel Bird. The grenadiers in Philadelphia, under Cornwallis, hastened 
to the field of battle on the first alarm, running the whole distance, and 
reaching it, as the action terminated. 

The American army retreated, the same day, jflDQUt twenty jflailgs,.to the 
Perkiomen Creek; but soon after, resumed its 'ftji-mer endkrtipment on the 
Skippack. 

XXIII.. Immediately after the battle of Brandy wine, New Jersey was re- 
quired to furnish the army with reinforcements of militia, and General Put- 
nam' to detach fifteen hundred continental troops ; and, at the same time, to 
.cover the Jerseys with an equal number. The militia of Connecticut were 
'relied upon to supply the vacuum in the posts on the North river, occa- 
sioned by these heavy draughts. These troops were, however, detained 
by the demonstrations made from New York. Sir Henry Clinton who 
commanded there, supposed, that, an alarm might serve both Howe and 
Burgoyne, by diverting, for a time, the aids which were designed for Wash- 
ington and Gates. With this view, he entered East Jersey, at the head of 
three thousand men, by the way of Elizabethtown Point and Fort Lee ; the 
columns uniting at the New Bridge, above Hackensack, on the twelfth of 
September. They encountered little opposition, and collected, on their way, 
large quantities of fresh provisions. About the fifteenth, observing that 
the continental troops under M'Dougal were approaching, and that, Gene- 
ral Dickenson, with great exertion, was assembling the Jersey militia, he 
returned to New York and Staten Island, having lost in the excursion, only 
eight men killed and sixteen wounded. The supply of militia, for the conti- 
nental army, collected very slowly, notwithstanding the efforts of Governor 
Livingston and General Dickenson. Accustomed to judge for themselves, 
they declared, that the danger of another invasion, rendered their services 
essential on the eastern frontier. Five or six hundred, however, crossed 
the Delaware at Philadelphia, "about the time Sir William Howe passed the 
Schuylkill, and were employed in the removal of stores. As the enemy ap- 
proached the city they retired from it, by the Frankford road ,* but the com- 
manding officer having separated himself from his corps, was captured by a 
small party of the British light horse; on which the regiment dispersed and 
made its way, by diiTerent roads, to New Jersey. With much labour Ge- 
neral Dickenson had collected two other corps, amounting to nine hundred 
men, with whom he was about to cross the Delaware, when he received 
intelligence of the arrival from Europe, of an additional force at New 
York. He returned, himself, with part of his levies, from Trenton toward 
Elizabethtown, whilst the remainder proceeded to Pennsylvania, under Ge- 
neral Forman; but they, immediately after the battle of Germantown, were 
discharged. 

XXIV. The attention of both commanders was, now, almost wholly given 
to the Delaware ; — the one to remove, the other to sustain, the impediments 
to its navigation. Lord Howe had early brought round the ships of war and 
transports from the Chesapeake, and they were stretched along the Delaware 
shore from Reedy Island to Newcastle. But, although, with great difficulty, 
the chevaux defrise had been raised from the channel opposite to Byllings- 
port, so as to admit the passage of vessels of force, it was impracticable to 
proceed above the line from Fort Mifflin to Fort Mercer, or Red Bank. Every 
effort was consequently made for the destruction of these forts. Batteries 
were erected on the Pennsylvania shore, to play upon Mud Island, whilst a 
fierce attack was directed against the redoubts on the Jersey shore. 

XXV. On the twenty-first of October, Colonel Count Donop, a distin- 
guished German officer crossed the Delaware at Cooper's Ferry, at the head 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 253 

of a detachment of Hessians, amounting to about twelve hundred men, in 
order to pi'oceed the next day to the attack of Red Bank. 

It was part of the plan, that, so soon as the assault should commence, a 
heavy cannonade on Fort Mifflin should be made from the batteries on the 
Pennsylvania shore ; and that the Vigilant ship of war, should pass through 
a narrow channel between Hog Island, next below Mud Island, and the 
Maine, so as to attack the fort in the rear. Meanwhile, to divert the atten- 
tion of the garrison and marine force, from the Vigilant, and other serious 
attacks, the advanced frigates, with the Isis and Augusta, were to approach 
Fort Mifflin in front, by the main channel, as far as the impediments would 
admit, and to batter the works. 

The fortifications at Red Bank consisted of extensive outer works, within 
which, was an intrenchment eight or nine feet high, boarded and fraized, on 
which Colonel Greene of Rhode Island, the commander, had bestowed great 
labour. Late in the evening of the 22d, Count Donop attacked it with great 
intrepidity; it was defended with equal resolution. The outer works being 
too extensive to be manned by the garrison, which did not exceed five hun- 
dred men, were only used to gall the assailants ; and on their near approach, 
were abandoned by the Americans, who retired within the inner intrench- 
ment, whence they poured upon the Hessians, pressing on with great gal- 
lantry, a most destructive fire. Colonel Donop^ leading his troops, received 
a mortal wound, and Lieutenant-colonel Mingerode, second in command, fell 
about the same time. Lieutenant-colonel Linsing drew off the detachment; 
and being favoured by the darkness of the night, collected many of the 
wounded. He marched about five miles that night, and returned next day 
to Philadelphia. The loss of the assailants was estimated at four hundred 
men. The garrison, reinforced from Fort Mifflin, and aided by the gallies, 
which flanked the Hessians both advancing and retreating, fought under 
cover, and lost only thirty-two, killed and wounded. It would appear 
from the statement given by General Howe of this enterprise, that the inner 
works could not be carried without scaling ladders, which had not been fur- 
nished. 

In performance of the part of the plan allotted to the navy, the Augusta, a 
sixty-four gun ship, the Merlin sloop of war, and four smaller vessels, strove 
to get within cannon shot of Fort Mifflin. But the two first got aground, and 
were, on the next day, set on fire and abandoned. The Augusta blew up. 
The repulse of the Hessians from Fort Mercer, and the able defence of Co- 
lonel Smith, at Fort Mifflin, inspired Congress with hopes, that these posts 
might be permanently maintained; and that body voted a sword to each of 
these officers, and one to Commodore Hazlewood, who commanded the gal- 
lies, as a testimony of the national gratitude. 

XXVI. On the march of Donop to Jersey, Washington presumed, that his 
design was not to carry Fort Mercer by storm, but regularly to invest it. 
Immediate effiarts were, therefore, made to get out the Jersey militia ; but 
owing to the perpetual calls for service, on the eastern frontier, and- there 
being, at the moment, no governor in the state, the gubernatorial term having 
expired before the re-election, a very inefficient force was gotten into the field; 
and had not General Dickenson ventured to give orders by his own authority, 
none would have been put in motion. Unable to obtain a sufficient aid from 
Jersey, Washington, on the twenty-ninth of October, sent over some Penn- 
sylvania militia; and a few days after, General Varnum, with his bri- 
gade, were posted about Woodbury, having orders to relieve and reinforce 
both forts, as his strength would permit. General Forman, with such militia 
as could be brought into the field, was directed to join him. 

XXVII. The operations of the enemy against Fort Mifflin, were uninter- 



254 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

rupted. They had command of llie Schuylkill, and of Province and Car- 
penter's islands, at its mouth. On both, batteries had been constructed, to 
play on the fort, from which they were separated by a narrow passage, be- 
tween four and five hundred yards wide, in which were floating batteries. 
They had driven thence the American moveable water force, originally re- 
lied on, for security in that quarter. Its chief employment, now, was to de- 
feat preparations making at Philadelphia against the fort, by descending the 
river. The garrison consisted of three hundred continental troops, only; a 
number insuflicient to place a single line around the works. 

On the 10th November, a new and large battery was opened fi'om Pro- 
vince Island, which kept up an incessant fire throughout that day, and seve- 
ral successive days. The block-houses of the fort were reduced to a heap 
of ruins, the palisades were beaten down, and most of the guns dismounted, 
or otherwise disabled. The barracks were battered in every part, so that the 
troops could not continue in them. The night was spent in repairing the 
damages of the day, and guarding against storm, of which they were in per- 
petual apprehension. If in the day a few moments were allowed for repose, 
it was taken on the wet earth, rendered, by the heavy rains, a soft mud. 
The garrison was relieved by General Varnum every forty-eight hours, and 
one-half of his brigade was constantly on duty. Colonel Smith, with the 
concurrence of General Varnum, believed the garrison ought to be with- 
drawn. But the commander-in-chief cherished the hope that it might be 
maintained, until he, reinforced by the northern army, could make a success- 
ful effort for its protection ; and therefore he directed that it should be defended 
to the last extremity. Never were orders better obeyed. On the 11th, 
Colonel Smith was wounded, and was obliged to yield the command, which 
was taken first by Colonel Russell, and afterwards by Major Thayer. On 
the 15th, the enemy brought up their ships so far as the obstructions would 
permit, and having discovered that the channel between Mud and Province 
Islands would admit of large vessels, introduced a frigate and sloop of war, 
within one hundred yards of the works. They not only kept up a most de- 
structive cannonade, but threw hand grenades into them ; and the musketry 
from the round-top of the frigate, killed every man that appeared on the 
platform. Orders were given to Commodore Hazlewood, to attempt the re- 
moval of these vessels, but he deemed it impracticable. The place was con- 
sequently no longer tenable, and at 11 o'clock of the pight of the 16th, the 
garrison was withdrawn. 

From the position of Fort Mercer, its safety depended, almost wholly, 
upon the possession of Fort Mifllin. Still it was resolved to defend it. On 
the 17th, Cornwallis marched against it by the way of Chester; and, notwith- 
standing General Washington was apprized of his intention, no effort which 
he could make could bring together, in season, a sufficient force to protect it, 
and the fort was evacuated. A few of the smaller American galleys escaped 
up the river, the rest were captured or burned. The passage of the Dela- 
ware was thus opened. 

Lord Cornwallis, with a force of about five thousand men, availed himself 
of this incursion, to collect large quantities of fresh provisions for the relief 
of the British army, and had taken post on Gloucester Point, which was en- 
tirely under cover of the guns of the ships. General Greene commanded an 
almost equal body of troops in New Jersey, a part of which was militia, and 
awaited the arrival of Glover's brigade from the north, in order to take of- 
fensive measures against Cornwallis. But an attack upon the British, in 
their present advantageous position, would have been unwarrantable. Yet, a 
small, but brilliant afiair was performed, by a detachment of about one hun- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 255 

dred and fifty men from Morgan's rifle corps, under Lieutenant-colonel But- 
ler, and a like number of militia, under the Marquis La Fayette, who served 
as a volunteer. They attacked a picket of the enemy, consisting of about 
three hundred men, and drove them, with the loss of twenty or thirty killed, 
and a great number wounded, quite into their camp; retiring themselves 
without pursuit. " I found the riflemen," said La Fayette, in a letter to 
Washington, "even above their reputation, and the militia above all ex- 
pectation I could have formed of them." Cornwallis, soon after, returned 
to Philadelphia, and Greene joined the main army under the commander- 
in-chief. 

XXVin. During these transactions on the Delaware, General Dickenson, 
whose perfect knowledge of the country gave every hope of success, made 
another attempt to cut off" Skinner's brigade of loyalists, stationed on Staten 
Island. He collected about two thousand men, and requested from General 
Putnam, commanding the continental troops, a diversion on the side of King's 
Bridge, in order to prevent a sudden reinforcement from New York. As his 
success depended upon secrecy, he concealed his object even from his field 
ofiicers, until eight o'clock of the night on which it was to be executed ; yet, 
by three next morning, Skinner was apprized of his intention, and saved his 
brigade by retiring into works too strong to be carried by assault. In the 
flight, a few prisoners were made and a few men killed. General Dickenson 
returned with the loss of three killed and ten slightly wounded. 

XXIX. By the capture of Burgoyne and his army, part of the force of the 
northern department might be called to Philadelphia. But neither General 
Gates nor General Putnam were disposed to part, readily, with their troops. 
A considerable portion of them, however, after some delay, reached the 
camp under General Washington, whose army, thus reinforced, amounted to 
twelve thousand one hundred and sixty-one continental troops, and three 
t housand two hundred and forty-one militia. The force of the enemy, with 
some detachments lately received from New York, has been stated, various- 
ly, at from twelve to fourteen thousand men. This equality induced many 
persons to urge upon the commander-in-chief, an attack upon Howe in Phi- 
ladelphia, notwithstanding that position was covered by the Delaware on 
the right, by the Schuylkill on the left, by the junction of these rivers on the 
rear, and by a line of fourteen redoubts on the front, extending from river 
to river, connected by abbatis and circular works. Happily, the prudence 
of the general, sustained by the advice of his superior officers, resisted the 
effort. 

XXX. Master of the river Delaware, from Philadelphia to the sea, and of 
the country on both shores to the south, the British general was relieved of 
the apprehension of suffering from a scarcity of provisions, and was at leisure 
to turn his whole force upon the American army, circumscribing him on the 
north and west; which he proposed not only to force from its present posi- 
tion, but to drive beyond the mountains. 

On the fourth of December, General Washington was apprized that an 
attempt would be immediately made upon his camp at White Marsh ; and on 
the evening of the same day. Sir William Howe marched from the city with 
his whole force. About eleven at night, Captain Allen M'Lane, who had 
been detached with one hundred men, selected from several divisions, fell in 
with and attacked the British van, at the Three Mile Run, on the German- 
town road, compelling their front division to change their line of march. At 
three next morning, the advancing army encamped on Chesnut Hill, in front 
of the American right, and distant from it three miles. Three days were 
spent in various manreuvres by the British forces, during which there were 
several skirmishes, with Morgan's riflemen and some militia under General 



256 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Irvine of Pennsylvania. The general was wounded, and with a small por- 
tion of his detachment, made prisoner. A general action was hourly ex- 
pected, but Howe would not attack the American camp, admirably placed ; 
nor would Washington engage in a position less advantageous. He desired 
to be attacked, and felt confident that Sir William Howe, strongly enforced, 
would not march out with his whole army, only, to march back again. But, 
on the morning of the nineteenth, he filed otf from the right by several routes, 
in full march for Philadelplha. This movement prevented the execution of a 
daring design of the American general, (formed on observing the caution of 
Howe,) to surprise and seize Philadelphia.* 

XXXI. The season had now become extremely severe, and it was impos- 
sible, without intense suffering, for an army so wretchedly furnished as was 
the American, longer to keep the field, in tents. That it might still continue 
to cover the country, it was resolved to take a strong position at the Valley 
Forge, and there to erect huts in the form of a regular encampment. Thither 
the army was removed on the 12th of December. Its course from White 
Marsh, might have been tracked by the blood which flowed from the bare 
feet of the soldiery. Though somewhat more comfortable in their huts, their 
winter was one of great privation and suffering, the details of which are fo- 
reign from our present purpose. 

In order to have a full view of the campaign of 1777, it will be necessary 
that we, successively, narrate the progress of General Burgoyne, and the 
circumstances which produced the important event of his capture. 

XXXII. When General Carleton had retired into winter quarters, General 
Burgoyne, who had served under him, returned to England, to communicate 
fully to the administration, the condition of affairs in the northern depart- 
ment, and to make arrangements for the ensuing campaign. With the ca- 
binet, he digested a plan for penetrating to the Hudson, from Canada, by way 
of the lakes. A formidable army was to be put under his command, to pro-, 
ceed against Ticonderoga as soon as the season would permit ; whilst a 
smaller force, under Col. Sit. Leger, composed of Canadians, American re- 
fugees, a few Europeans, and many Indians, should march from Oswego, by 
way of the Mohawk, and unite with the grand army on the North river. 

* Mr. Marshall says, vol. iii. p. 289, Life ofWashington, " Captain Allen M'Lanc 
discovered, that an attempt was about to be made to surprise the camp at White 
Marsh," &c. Another version is given of this matter, by the American Quar- " 
terly Review, vol. i. p. 32, 1827. Possibly the officer to whom information was given 
was M'Lane instead of Craig. Both accounts, however, may be true. By the last 
it seems, that some British officers occasionally met for conference, at the house of 
William and Lydia Darrach, Quakers, resident in the city. On the second of De-' 
cember, they requested that the family would retire early in the evening, as they 
would be at their room, and remain late; and added, that, when about to depart, they ' 
would call the wife to let them out. Curiosity, the first tempter, induced Lydia to 
approach the door of the conference chamber, shod in felt, only, and to put her ear to 
the key hole, where she heard, in detail, the plan of attack for the fourth. Under 
pretence of procuring flour from Frankfbrd, she obtained a pass from Sir William 
Howe. Leaving her bag at the mill, she hastened towards the American lines, and 
encountered on the way, the American Colonel Craig, of the light horse; to whom 
she communicated the important information. The necessary preparations were, of 
course, made. Lydia returned home with her flour; and anxiously awaited news of 
the event; but when the British returned, did not dare to ask a question. On the 
next evening, one of the officers who frequented the house, requested her to come to 
his room, that he might submit some questions to her. He inquired, earnestly, 
whether any of her family were up, the last night he was there. She told him, that 
all had retired at 8 o'clock. He observed, " I know you were asleep, for I knocked 
at your chamber door, three times, before you heard me. lam entirely at a loss, to 
imagine who gave General Washington information of our intended attack. When 
we arrived near White Marsh, we found all their cannon mounted, and the troops 
prepared to receive us, aild we have marched back like a parcel of fools." 



HISTORY OF JNEW JERSEY. 257 

The invading force, immediately under tlie commander-in-chief, amounted 
to about 9000 men. He was supported by Major-general Phillips, of the 
artillery, Major-general Reidesel, and Brigadier-general Sprecht, of the Ger- 
man troops, together with the British Generals, Erazer, Powell, and Hamil- 
ton; all officers of distinguished merit. The detachment under St. Leger, 
consisted of about 1800 men ; one-half of whom were Indians, and the greater 
proportion of the other half, American loyalists, under the command of Sir 
John Johnstone. A considerable force was left in Canada, under Sir Guy 
Carleton, whose military command was restricted to the province. This able 
and humane officer, though indignant at having been suspended, displayed 
the greatness of his mind, by his ready and effective assistance, in promoting 
the objects of the campaign. 

XXXIII. The northern American army, which had been formed only for 
the year, dissolved with that term. So far from being in condition for of- 
fensive operations, scarce a show of defence could be preserved in the forts. 
The charge of this frontier was assigned to troops to be furnished by Massa- 
chusetts, New Hampshire, and the north-western parts of New York ; but 
the recruiting proceeded so slowly, that it became necessary to call in the aid 
of the northern militia. General Gates, having joined General Washington, 
this department was solely under the command of General Schuyler, who 
failed in no effort to fulfil its duties. His plans for the ensuing campaign re- 
quired 15,000 men; a very small portion of which could be supplied to him 
in season. The services of this officer had been more solid than brilliant, 
and were not, generally, nor duly, appreciated. Dissatisfied with their ac- 
ceptation, his resignation was delayed, only, by patriotic motives. When 
the fear of a winter attack upon Ticonderoga had been removed, by the 
open state of Lake Champlain, he repaired to Congress to have his compli- 
cated accounts adjusted, his conduct inquired of, and his plans of future ac- 
tion approved and sustained. When his many and arduous services had, thus, 
became fully known. Congress deemed it essential to the public interests, to 
prevail on him to retain his commission. Repealing the resolution of the 6th 
March, 1776, which fixed his head-quarters at Albany, they directed him on 
22d May, 1777, to assume the command of the whole northern department, 
consisting of Albany, Ticonderoga, Fort Stanwix, and their dependencies. 
• XXXIV. Sensible of the dangers which surrounded him, he made 
every exertion to meet them; visiting in person the several posts, and ob- 
taining supplies of provisions. He was at Albany, for these services, and 
for hastening the march of reinforcements, when he received intelligence, 
from General St. Clair, commanding at Ticonderoga, that General Burgoyne 
had appeared before that fortress.* 

The royal army approached by the unimpeded route of the lake; and 
advanced from Crown Point, with equal caution and order, on both sides 
of the strait, through which their naval force proceeded. In a few days 
they surrounded three-fourths of the American works at Ticonderoga and 
Mount Independence, and erected a battery on Sugar Hill, commanding 
both positions. The defence of the lines required ten thousand men ; the 
actual force within them, was twenty-five hundred and forty-six continentals, 
and nine hundred militia, badly equipped, worse armed, and with provisions 
for twenty days, only. Had it been practicable to obtain an accurate know- 
ledge of the strength of the besieging army, in due season, prudence would 
have required the abandonment of the post and removal of the stoi-es, before 
its close approximation. Under existing circumstances, speedy retreat of the 
garrison was indispensable to the safety of the troops ; and though General 

'^ July 1st, 1777. 
2K 



258 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

St. Clair knew, that the whole country relied, confidently, on the mainte- 
nance of the post, he wisely and heroically resolved, with the unanimoiKi 
consent of his officers, to abandon it, and to preserve his army, if possible, 
for a future service. The execution of this resolution astounded and dis- 
gusted the nation; but its propriety became evident, so soon as circum- 
stances permitted inquiry. A few days before the place was invested, 
General Schuyler, from the inspection of the muster rolls, and other reports 
alike erroneous, had stated the strength of the garrison at five thousand men, 
and its provisions abundant; and the invading force was, generally, sup- 
posed to be inferior. When, therefore, it was known, that the fortifications, 
on which much money and labour had been expended, and which were 
deemed the key of the whole western country, had been abandojied without 
an elibrt to sustain them — that an immense train of artillery, consisting of 
one hundred and twenty -eight pieces, and all the baggage, military stores, 
and provisions, had fallen into the hands of the enemy — that the army on 
its retreat, had been attacked, defeated and dispersed, astonishment pervaded 
all ranks of men, and the conduct of the officers was universally condemned. 
Congress directed a recall of all the genei'als of the department, and an in- 
quiry into their conduct. Through New England, especially, the most 
malignant aspersions were cast on them ; and General Schuyler, who, from 
some unknown cause, had never been viewed with favour in that part of the 
continent, was involved in the common charge of treason, to which this 
accumulation of unlooked for calamity was generally attributed, by the mass ■ 
of the people. On the representation of Washington, the recall of the officers 
was suspended, until he should be of the opinion, that the state of things 
would admit such a measure. Gates, however, was directed to take the 
place of Schuyler. This substitution was warranted by policy ; since it put . 
at the head of the department, a general who enjoyed the public confidence, 
in the place of one who had lost it. 

On abandoning the fort, St. Clair retreated rapidly to Castletown, thirty. . 
miles from Ticonderoga. In the pursuit, the enemy, with eight hundred 
and fifty men, under General Frazer, came up with his rear guard, under 
Colonel Warner, which, amounting to about one thousand men, had halted 
six miles short of that place. A sharp action ensued, terminating in* 
the dispersion of the Americans, with great loss, by the aid of General 
Reidesel, who arrived with his division of Germans, during the heat of the 
contest. About the same time. Colonel Long was driven, with his de- 
tachment, from Skeenesborough, and the stores there collected, comprising 
nearly all that had been saved from the garrison, were destroyed. Long 
retired to Fort Anne, and soon afterwards to Fort Edward, the head-quarters . 
of General Schuyler ; whither St. Clair, after collecting the scattered remains 
of his army, also, retreated. 

XXXV. Burgoyne remained some days at Skeenesborough, to collect and, 
refresh his men ; whilst Schuyler employed himself in removing the stores- i 
from Fort Edward, sweeping the country of every thing which could sus- ■ 
tain an enemy, and throwing obstructions into the streams and roads, to i 
check his course. Nor did he cease his endeavours to arouse the surround- ■ 
ing country to activity. Great exertion was also made by General Wash- j 
ington, to re-establish the northern army. Troops, artillery and ammunition, 
were despatched from Massachusetts and Peck's-kill. Generals Lincoln 
and Arnold, popular officers, especially, with their countrymen, and the not 
less popular Colonel Morgan, with his indefatigable rifle corps, were ordered 
to repair to it. In the very success of Burgoyne, this able and prudent marx 
saw the source of his defeat, and foretold " that the confidence derived from 
success," would hurry him jnto measures that would effect his ruin. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 259 

In dispersing the American army, the British general liad not completed 
half that was necessary, to enable him to reach the Hudson. The country 
throngh which he was to pass was in a great measure, in a primitive condi- 
tion. Its roads bad, at the best, were obstructed by hundreds of trees, which 
had been felled across them. The bridges were broken down, and his pro- 
visions, batteaux, and artillery, were to be transported over this almost ini- 
passable route. Checked by these impediments, he did not reach that river, 
in the neighbourhood of Fort Edward, until the 30th of July. Schuyler, who 
had been daily gathering strength, but not yet strong enough to meet him, 
on his approach, retired over the Hudson to Saratoga, a few miles below that 
place, and soon after, to Stillwater, near the mouth of the Mohawk ; where 
he fortified a camp, in hopes that he should soon be in condition to defend it. 
But he did not confine himself wholly to defensive operations. The ad- 
vance of Burgoyne left the posts in his rear uncovered, and General Lincoln 
was ordered, instead of immediately joining^ Schuyler, to attempt, with about 
two thousand men, to cut off the communication of the British with the lakes ; 
whilst Arnold was despatched with three continental regiments to raise the 
siege of Fort Schuyler, which had been commenced by St. Leger, and to 
prevent the junction of the two portions of Burgoyne's army. 

XXXVI. On the 3d of August, St. Leger invested Fort Schuyler, formerly 
Fort Stanwix. It was garrisoned by six hundred continental troops, com- 
manded by Colonel Gansevoort. On his approach. General Herkimer 
assembled the militia of Tryon county, for the purpose of relieving the gar- 
rison. Gansevoort, apprized of this intention, resolved on a vigorous sortie, 
to second it. Unhappily, St. Leger.had learned the movement of the former, 
and formed an ambuscade, into which Herkimer fell. His party was de- 
feated with great slaughter ; and the general and many officers were wounded. 
Its entire destruction was prevented by the timely sortie, under lieutenant- 
colonel Willet, who fell upon the feebly guarded camp of the besiegers, drove 
the soldiery into the woods, and brought off" considerable plunder, several 
Indian weapons, and other articles much valued. His_ party killed several 
of the enemy, of whom were some Indian chiefs. 

But a change was about to come over the fortune of Burgoyne. His star 
'had reached its culminating point, and its decline was as rapid as its ascen- 
sion. Fort Schuyler was well fortified, and held out. The Indians of St. 
Leger, always fickle, never persevering in continuous labour, became dis- 
gusted with the service, and impatient of the losses which they had sustained 
^in the late skirmishes. At length, learning that Arnold was advancing, and, a 
report prevailing, that Burgoyne had been routed, part of them slunk away, 
and the remainder threatened to follow. The siege was- raised with great pre^ 
cipitation; the tents left standing, and the artillery, with great part erf the 
baggage, ammunition, and provisions, fell into the hands of the Americans. 
The retreating army was pursued by a detachment from the garrison ; and 
•the Indians plundered the remaining baggage of the oflicers, and massacred 
such soldiers as could not keep up with the line of march. St. Leger re- 
turned to Montreal, whence he proceeded to Ticonderoga, with intention to 
join Burgoyne by that route. 

XXXVII. To prevent relief to the garrison of Fort Schuyler, an attack on 
the American army was suggested by St. Leger; and Burgoyne was well 
disposed to an immediate and rapid movement down the Hudson, in hopes 
thereby, to drive his enemy before him, and free the whole of the upper 
country. But his supply of provisions was with great difficulty kept up, and 
such a movement would greatly increase that difficulty, as the communica- 
tion with Fort George, already endangered by the body of militia assembling 
at White Creek, must be preserved by larger detachments from his army than 



260 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

he was in condition to make. In this dilemma, he resolved to attempt the 
large magazines of" provisions at Bennington. Lieutenant-colonel Baum, with 
about five hundred men, was detached upon this service, to facilitate which, 
Burgoyne moved down the Hudson, and threw part of his army across it to 
Saratoga ; and Lieutenant-colonel Brechman with his corps, was ordered to 
support Baum. Happily, General Stark, with the New Hampshire militia, 
was now at Bennington, on his way to camp, together with the remains of 
Colonel Warner's continental regiment ; making in the whole, a force of two 
thousand men. Apprized of his danger, Baum entrenched himself four miles 
from the town, and despatched an express for a reinforcement. But before 
Brechman could arrive. Stark carried the works by assault, and the greater 
part of his detachment was killed or taken prisoners. Brechman came up 
in time to encounter the pursuing Americans, and he also, was compelled to 
retreat with the loss of many men, his artillery and baggage. Five hundred 
and sixty-four privates were taken prisoners, but the number of killed could 
not be ascertained; the most important acquisition, at the moment, of one 
thousand stand of arms, and nine hundred swords, was obtained. 

XXXVin. These fortunate affairs had the most important consequences. 
The whole Mohawk country was liberated from the foe — the Americans were 
at liberty to unite the whole of their forces in the northern department against 
Burgoyne — the militia and continental troops recovered confidence in them- 
selves — the opinion prevailed, that the enemy was already beaten, and that 
the assembling of the great body of the militia, only, was necessary to compel 
him to yield his arms. The disaffected became timid, and the wavering 
were no longer disposed to join an army whose capture was doomed. But. 
other causes, also, united to produce the great result. Vengeance for the 
barbarities of the savages, fired every breast, and overcame the terror they 
had created ; the last reinforcements of continental troops had arrived — the 
harvest which had detained the militia was gathered, and General Gates had 
succeeded the unfortunate, unpopular, but meritorious Schuyler.* 

XXXIX. Notwithstanding these disasters, Burgoyne adhered to his original! 
purpose. By a slow and toilsome mode, having collected provisions from 
Fort George, suflicient for thirty days, he crossed the Hudson with his whole 
army on the 14th September, and encamped on the heights and plains of 
Saratoga, with the determination of deciding in a general engagement, the 
fate of the expedition. , 

Gates had removed his camp from the islands at the mouth of the Mohawk, 
to the neighbourhood of Stillwater. On the 17th, Burgoyne encamped within 
four miles of the American army; and, the interval being employed in the- 
necessary repair of bridges between the two camps, on the 19th, a general 
engagement was fought, which terminated only with the day, and was iii , 
every respect favourable to the Americans. Beside the actual loss in battle, 
the Indians, Canadians, and provincialists, deserted in great numbers. The i 
next day, intelligence was received from the north, which gave additional ani- 
mation to the Americans. Detachments from General Lincoln's force had 
been sent against the forts on the lakes, and Colonel Brown had succeeded in \ 
capturing Mount Defiance, Mount Hope, the old French lines, the landing, 
and about two hundred batteaux at the north end of Lake George ; and with 
the loss of only three killed, and five wounded, had liberated one hundred 
American prisoners, and taken two hundred and ninety-three British. This 
success was magnified into the reduction of Ticonderoga, and Mount Inde. 
pendence ; but the attempt on these posts had been repulsed. 

The armies retained their positions at Stillwater, until the 7th Oct. ; B,ur- 

* August 21 . • 






HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 261 

goyne, in hopes of relief, which had been promised him before the 12th, by- 
Sir Henry Clinton, from New York; and Gates in gathering in the militia of 
the country. At length, the British general being obliged to diminish the 
rations of his men, resolved on another trial of strength with his adversary. 
This, like the preceding battle, was maintained until night, and the advantage 
was, again, decisively, with the Americans. Burgoyne was compelled to change 
his position, in order to avoid the renewal of the action, on the next day, with 
part of his works in possesion of the assailants. He subsequently retired to 
Saratoga, and endeavoured to open the road to Fort Edward. But being 
surrounded, and his provisions reduced to a three days' supply, even at short 
allowance, he was constrained by the most humiliating necessity, to open a 
negotiation with the American general, and finally to surrender himself and his 
army, prisoners of war, upon condition, that he should march out of his camp 
with the usual honours, with permission to return to England, but not to 
serve against the United States until exchanged.* At the time of the con- 
vention, the American force amounted to 9093 continental troops, and 4129 
militia ; but the sick exceeded 2500 men. The British force was 5752 ; hav- 
, ing been reduced since it left Ticonderoga, 3248 men. In addition to this 
very great military force, the British lost, and the Americans acquired a fine 
train of artillery, seven thousand stand of excellent arms, clothing for seven 
thousand recruits, with tents, and other military stores, to a very considera- 
ble amount. 

XL. During these important events, Sir Henry Clinton had endeavoured, 
not very judiciously, certainly, to assist Burgoyne, by his operations in the 
south. He succeeded in capturing the forts in the Highlands, and in re- 
moving the obstructions to the passage of the North river. But so much 
time was spent in burning the continental villages, and Esopus, and in de- 
vastating the country, that he was too late to save or serve his countryman. 
Upon the capture of Burgoyne, the troops employed in this odious service 
returned to New York, having inflicted much injury upon the Americans, 
ahd added new intensity to their hatred; but, having done no good, to their 
own cause. 
'; • About the same time, the British, who had been left in the rear of Bur- 
goyne, destroying their stores, and abandoning their cannon, retreated to Ca- 
nada, leaving the country, so late the seat of lurious war, restored to perfect 
, tranquillity. 
■ XLI. The effect produced by the capture of this whole British army was 
pf the highest importance, in three points of view. It established, incontesta- 
bly, the ability of the United States to maintain their independence; and 
'though the contest might be prolonged, its ultimate result was no longer 
doubtful. It created doubts in Great Britain of the success in the war — and 
U taught foreigners to confide in, and confiding, to aid, the exertions of the 
States. 

XLII. The captured army was marched to the vicinity of Boston, where 

some difficulties in procuring proper quarters for the officers, induced a re- 

i monstrance from the General to Gates, in which he observed — " the public 

I faith is broken." This expression led Congress to believe, that, if liberated, 

t the troops would immediately join the British garrisons in America ; and 

I they passed a resolution suspending the embarkation, till a distinct and ex- 

I plicit ratification of the convention of Saratoga should be properly notified by 

the court of Great Britain. This event did not take place for many months, 

during which the troops continued prisoners. 

i 

* October 13. 



262 HISTORY UF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Campaign of 1778. — I. Condition of the Army at the Valley Forge and at the com- 
mencement of the Campaign. — II. B;'itish foraging excursions in New Jersey. 
— III. Fortunate escape of an advance party under La Fayette. — IV. Effect of 
the American successes abroad — Efforts of American Agents. — V. Measures for 
Foreign Alliances — Duplicity of France — Treaties with her. — VI. War between 
Great Britain and France. — VII. Opinions in Great Britain — Ministerial mea- 
sures. — VIII. Reception of those measures in America. — IX. Arrival of a French 
Minister Plenipotentiary. — X. The British Army evacuates Philadelphia — March 
through Jersey. — XI. Battle of Monmouth — British Army regains New York. — 
XII. Arrival of the French Fleet — proceeds to Rhode Island. — XIII. Attempt on 
Newport — Appearance of the English Fleet — French and English Fleets put to 
Sea — dispersed by Storm. — XIV. British Incursions in Connecticut. — XV. Dis- 
position of the American Army. — XVI. British Incursions into New Jersey. — 
XVII. Movements of the adverse Fleets — Detachment against the Southern 
States. — XVIII. American Army retires to winter quarters — Its improved con- 
dition. — XIX. Indian devastations — Massacre at Wyoming. — XX. Operations 
against the Indians. — XXI. Discontent in the Jersey line. — XXII. March of Ge- 
neral Sullivan to the Indian country — Events there, — XXIII. Expedition under 
Colonel Broadhead by the . Allegheny River. — XXIV. Expedition against the 
Cherokees under General Pickens. — XXV. Unprovoked Slaughter of the Indians 
at Muskingum. 

I. During the winter of 1777, 1778, the condition of the American army 
at the Valley Forge was one of great peril and suffering ; requiring all the 
attractive powers of the cause and of the general in command, to preserve 
that army from dissolution. Every department was imperfectly organized. 
But the want of system and experience was no where more visible than in 
those of the quartermaster and the commissariat. Stores of the first neces- 
.sity, invaluable from their scarcity, were carelessly abandoned, lost, or em- 
bezzled ; and in a plentiful country, the troops were in danger of perishing 
for want of food. Tempting opportunities of annoying the enemy were 
frequently lost from the absolute impossibility of supplying the parties de- 
tailed with the indispensable provisions. Several times, during the winter, 
the soldiers were days without meat; and vegetables and other articles, 
indispensable to health, were almost unknown to them. The subsistence 
of an army, and the agents engaged in it, should be as dependent on, 
and responsible to, the commander-in-chief, as its military movements, and 
the officers who conduct them ; and thp negligence, fraud, or sluggishness gf 
the commissary should be as promptly and severely punishable as the coward- 
ice or treachery of the combatant. But this dependence was denied by that 
passion for engrossing power, and the jealousy which refuses it to others, in- 
herent in popular assemblies. Congress would relinquish no powers which 
it could, itself, exercise. Early in the war, the office of commissary-general 
had been conferred upon Colonel Trumbull, of Connecticut, a gentleman well 
qualified for its duties, but who, notwithstanding, having to struggle through 
the difficulties of inexperience and original organization, could not fulfil them 
with universal satisfaction. The remedy resorted to by Congress increased 
the disease. They rendered his subordinates independent of the head, and 
made them accountable only to their body. Disgusted with a system, whidh 
subjected him to all the danger of responsibiUty, without the means of pro- 
tection and indemnity, Mr. Trumbull threw up his commission. Conse- 
quently, the army was subjected to the dread, and, not unfrequently, to the i 
pain, of famine. Relief was to be obtained, only by compulsory military re- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 263 

quisitions, and the whole country within seventy miles oC lieud quarters was, 
by the resolutions of Congress, placed at the disposition of the commander- 
in-chief, whereon to levy whatever might be necessary for his army. That 
patriotism which rises and expends itself in sudden ebullition, is of ordinary 
growth — is a fever contagious in crowds — whilst that which endures under 
the deprivation of food and raiment, amid the severities of winter, and the 
perils of disease and battle, is as rare as it is estimable — but it is not so rare 
as that, which in the non-combatant, withstands the forcible, hourly, hope- 
less, unremunerated drain of the purse. Against the exactions, therefore, of 
the army, even the friendly farmer or dealer opposed the resources of his 
cunning; and though he did not furnish supplies to the enemy who tempted 
him with gold, he concealed them from his friends who could pay for them, 
at best, in almost worthless paper, and frequently, only, in naked promises. 
But many, very many, had not the negative merit of forbearing to supply 
the foe ; in despite of the unceasing efforts of the American army, they car- 
ried large quantities of provisions to British quarters. General Washington 
could obtain relief, only, by the strenuous exertions of his best officers. Ge- 
neral Gi-eene, with a strong detachment, searched the surrounding country- 
Captain Lee and Captain M'Lane, excellent partisans, were despatched to 
Delaware and Maryland, and Colonel Tilghman into New Jersey — at the 
same time Washington urged upon the executives of the several states, to 
exert themselves for the army and the natron. But the appointment of 
General Greene to the office of commissary general, under the immediate di- 
.rection of the commander-in-chief, in March, 1777, was the most efficient 
remedy. 
. ■• The sufferings of the troops for want of proper clothing, was not less than 
from want of food. Their dei)lorablo condition, in this respect, disabled 
them from keeping the field. The returns of the first of February, exhibit 
.the astonishing number of three thousand nine hundred and eighty-nine men, 
in camp, unfit for duty, for want of clothes ; of whom, scare one had shoes. 
Even among those returned, capable of duty, very many were so badly clad, 
that exposure to the colds of the season, must have destroyed them. Although 
the total of the army then ex,ceeded seventeen thousand men, the effective 
rank and file, amounted, only, to five thousand and twelve. Nakedness 
amid frost, unhealthy food, and hunger, filled the hospitals with patients. In 
fhese miserable receptacles, death was most frequently found by those who 
sought for health. The provision made for them, at all times inadequate to 
.their wants, was misapplied. They were crowded in small apartments, and 
'a violent putrid fever raged among them, destroying more than all the other 
jiiseases of the camp. Had the British army, at this season, taken the field, 
it might, though with great suffering to itself, have compelled the American 
general, either to fight with inferior niUTibers, and to stake his army upon a 
-liattle, or to retreat further into the country; which could not have been 
effected without great loss, with his naked and barefooted soldiers. 

Happily, the real condition of this army was not fully known to Sir William 
Howe. The present position had been assumed for the purpose of coverinf^ 
the country of Pennsylvania, protecting the magazines laid up in it, find cut- 
ting off the supplies of the British army. The plan extended no further than 
^\q guard, with the militia, the north of the Schuylkill, and the east of the 
: Delaware, so as to i'estrain the people, of the country from carrying in their 
:' provisions to market, to which they w^re irresistibly allured, by specie pay- 
I ments. These objects were,, in a great measure, though not effectually, 
j gained ; nor, however, without occasionally inflicting personal chastisement 
[ upon delinquents. 

II. In the species of war which this stale of things produced, the advan- 



264 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

tage was with the British, who, being unassailable in their quarters, and 
possessing the command of the Delaware, might, at any time, ravage the 
coast of Jersey, before assistance could be rendered by the continental 
troops. The resistance of the militia was inconsiderable, and scarce ex- 
pected. Yet the wants of such a number of persons and horses, required a 
greater supply of fresh provisions and forage than could be procured, by 
light parties or ordinary means. And as the spring opened, with the 
design to relieve their own army, and to distress that of the United States, 
about the middle of March, Colonel Mahwood and Major Simcoe were 
detached into Jersey, at the head of about twelve hundred men. They 
landed at Salem, and dispersed the small bodies of militia stationed in that 
part of the country, under Colonels Hand and Holme. The militia were 
posted at Quinton's Bridge, Alloways' Creek, over which it was supposed 
the British would endeavour to force a passage. Their numbers being 
unequal to an effectual resistance, it was only intended to keep the enemy 
in some check, until they should be reinforced. A judicious plan to sur- 
prise them, was skilfully executed by Major Simcoe, one of the best par- 
tisans in the British service, and their guard was cut to pieces. The loss 
of the militia, in several skirmishes, in killed and taken, was between fifty 
and sixty. 

General Washington had received early intelligence of this expedition, 
which he communicated to Governor Livingston, with a request, that he would 
immediately order out the militia in force, to join Colonel Shreve, whose 
regiment was detached into Jersey to aid in protecting the country. The 
governor could not bring his militia with sufficient expedition into the field. 
The Legislature had neglected to make provision for paying them; and the 
repugnance to military duty which this circumstance could not fail to occa- 
sion, received no small addition from their unwillingness to expose themselves 
to its dangei's, until a continental force should appear, as a point around 
which they might rally. On the arrival of Colonel Shreve at Haddonfield, 
he found, that the militia who had been assembled to aid him, and to inter-, 
cept the communication with Philadelphia, amounted to less than one hun-. 
dred men ; and Colonel Ellis, their commanding officer, remarked, in a letter 
to the governor, that, " without some standing force, little was to be expected 
from the militia, who being, alone, not sufficient to prevent the incursions 
of the enemy, each one naturally consults his own safety, by not being fpund 
in arms." 

Mahwood wrote to Colonel Hand, proposing to re-embark his troops, to 
refrain from further injury to the country, and to pay for the cattle and 
forage he had taken, in sterling money, on condition, that the militia would 
lav down their arms and depart to their homes ; threatening, on refusal, to 
arm the tories, to attack all persons he found in arms, burn their dwellings. ,,' 
and reduce their families to the utmost distress. And that his threats mignt, 
not be supposed in vain, he subjoined a list of the first objects of his intended 
vengeance.* Colonel Hand indignantly rejected the proposition, and Mah- 
wood, but too faithfully, executed his threat; and, although his incursion 
continued six or seven days, he returned to Philadelphia unmolested. Not 
more than two hundred men could be collected to reinforce Colonel Shreve, 
who, unable to act with effect, did not even march to the lower parts of 
Jersey, which were plundered without restraint. » 

* These were, Edmund Keasby, Thomas Sinnickson, Samuel Dick, Whitten Crips, i 
Ebenezer Howell, Edward Hall, John Bowen, Thomas Thompson, George Trenchard, i 
Elisha Cattle, Andrew Sinnickson, Nicholas Keen, Jacob Hufty, Benjamin Holmes, i 
William Schute, Anthony Sharpe, and Abner Penton. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 265 

Applications to General Washington for detachments of continental troops, 
sufficient to cover the country, were necessarily rejected, as the enemy could 
reinforce with more facility than he, and could, consequently, maintain his 
superiority until the whole war would be transferred to Jersey. He, how- 
ever, permitted Colonel Shreve to remain on the east side of the Delaware, 
and reinforced him with an additional regiment ; but would not consent to 
add to the strength of this detachment, or to depart from his design to keep on 
that side of the Delaware, only, such force as would break off the ordinary 
intercourse between the town and country. A larger one would only 
direct the attention of Sir William Howe towards it, and induce him to plan 
its destruction. Such an attempt on Colonel Shreve, was disappointed by a 
precipitate retreat, attended with some loss. 

In addition to the vessels which had been engaged in defence of Fort Mif- 
flin, others had been commenced above Philadelphia, but were not completed, 
when the British obtained possession of the river. To protect these from the 
enemy, Washington had directed them to be sunk in such a manner as to be 
weighed with ditHculty. This order was disregarded. Against these vessels 
and some stores collected at Bordentdwn, an expedition was successfully 
sent. General Dickenson was in the neighbourhood, but his force was too 
small to interrupt the enterprise ; and General Maxwell, who had been de- 
tached on the first intelligence, that the enemy was advancing up the Dela- 
ware, was retarded in his march by a heavy rain, which did not delay the 
movement of the British troops, on board of vessels in the river. 

IH. To cover the country effectually on the north of the Schuylkill, and 
to form an advance guard, which might annoy the rear of the enemy, should 
he evacuate the city, an event, deemed daily more probable, the Marquis de 
La Fayette was detached, with more than two thousand choice troops, and a 
few pieces of cannon, to take post on the lines, with orders to occupy no 
station, permanently, lest the enemy should successfully concert an attack 
upon him. Having taken a momentary position at Barren Hill, ten miles in 
front of the army, at the Valley Forge, notice thereof was given to General 
Howe; who, having reconnoitred his post, despatched General Grant, on the 
night of the nineteenth of May, against him. He succeeded in getting, un- 
discovered, into the rear of the Marquis, whilst General Gray, with a strong 
detachment, advanced by the south side of the Schuylkill, to a ford, two 
or three miles in front of his right flank, and the residue of the army en- 
camped on Chesnut Hill. The Marquis discovered the perils which envi- 
roned him, just in season, by a dexterous movement, to avoid them. He 
rapidly recrossed the Schuylkill by Matson's Ford, and took a post so 
favourable for defence, that although the enemy pursued him to the bank, 
he did not dare to wade the river to assail him. From the apparent impru- 
dence, which might be inferred by his surprise, the Marquis is exonerated, 
by the fact, that the troops placed by him on his lefl flank, had, without his 
knowledge, changed their position. 

IV. In the course of the winter, the effect, abroad, of the success of the 
American arms, began to develope itself. The government of France could 
not observe, without deep interest, the contest which was about to shake, 
to the foundation, the empire of her great enemy and rival. Though, 
labouring under financial embarrassments resulting from her late wars, she 
could not, hastily, involve herself in new expenses, yet tlie ministry and the 
nation, longed for an opportunity of retaliating the mortifications and defeat 
they had sustained. When the discontents of the colonies had broken into 
open hostilities, M. de Vergennes and other members of the French ministry, 
declared it to be the policy of France and Spain, to avoid aggression, for 
three causes; the two latter of which, were, doubtless, , founded in truth, 
2L 



266 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

and are entirely comprehensible: — First, for moral reasons, which were 
conformable to the known opinions of the two monarchs: secondly, on 
account of the condition of the finances, the necessity of time for reco- 
very of exhaustion, and the danger of perpetuating their weakness by 
premature exertion ; and thirdly, that an offensive war, on the part of 
France and Spain, might reconcile the mother and her colonies; giving the 
minister a pretext for yielding, and the provinces a motive for acceding 
to his propositions, in order to obtain time to consolidate themselves, to 
ripen their plans, and to increase their means. They came to the con- 
clusion, therefore, to watch events in Europe and America ; avoiding every 
thing which might create an opinion that they had, in the latter, any 
authorized agent; to facilitate to the colonists, the means of procuring, by 
commerce, the articles, and even the money which they needed, but without 
a departure from neutrality ; to refit and prepare for sea, the naval force ; 
but to precipitate nothing, unless the conduct of England should afford real 
cause to believe, that she had determined to commence hostilities. Upon 
these principles, the conduct of the cabinet of Versailles was, for a time, 
regulated. A party, however, existed in that cabinet, at whose head was 
the Queen, which avowed a disposition to seize the present moment for 
revenge, by humbling Great Britain, and dismembering her empire. 

The Americans had early sought the countenance of foreign powers, and, 
particularly, of France. The impossibility of obtaining a supply of arms 
and ammunition by ordinary means, had, in 1775, induced the appointment 
of agents to procure military stores abroad ; who communed with a secret 
committee of Congress, empowered to correspond with their friends in Great 
Britain, Ireland, and other parts of the world. In the spring of 1776, Mr. 
Silas Deane appeared in Paris, as a political and commercial agent, with in- 
structions to ascertain the disposition of the French king. That monarch, 
was still reluctant to do any act which might commit him with his enemies. 
The declaration of independence encouraged the court of Versailles to fur- 
nish, privately, means for continuing the war; but it was neither willing, nor 
prepared, to acknowledge the independence of the United States. 

V. As soon as Congress had resolved on the declaration of independence, 
but before it was published, a project for treaties with foreign powers was 
prepared, and ministers appointed to negotiate them. Mr. Franklin, Mr; 
Deane, and Mr. Jefferson, were nominated; but the last named, declining 
the appointment, Mr. Arthur Lee, then in London, was substituted. They 
assembled in Paris, early in the winter, were favourably, but not publicly^ re- 
ceived ; and were assured, that the ports of France would remain open to 
their ships, and that free commercial relations should be cherished. So closely 
did the Count de Vergennes conform to his system of caution, that, though' 
the fact was known to the American commissioners, that military stores had 
been exported from the king's magazines to America, he affected, in their 
presence, to be wholly ignorant of it. In this state of the negotiation, the 
utmost circumspection was observed in- regard to Great Britain. Every step 
was taken publicly to gratify her. The remonstrances of her ambassador 
were scrupulously attended to ; the departure of ships, having military stores 
was forbidden, although they were privately permitted to sail, or sailed without 
permission ; officers having leave of absence, and about to join the Americans, 
were recalled ; strict orders were given, that American prizes should not be 
sold in French ports ; and in some cases, cruisers were compelled to give up 
the ships they had captured, and to enter into security to cruise no more in 
the European seas. At the same time, the American agents were privately 
informed, that in despite of these exactions of policy, they might confide in 
the good will of the government. Means were also taken to facilitate to 






HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 267 

them the negotiation of loans, and the owners of privateers were permitted, 
privately, to dispose of their prizes. 

This perplexing and uncertain state, continued from December, 1776, to 
December, 1777. The success of the campaign of tlie latter year placed the 
Americans in a more favourable light, as possible instruments for the grati- 
fication of Gallic vengeance, and disposed the ministers to draw the relations 
with them more closely. The capture of Burgoyne determined them to ac- 
knowledge and suppoi't the independence of the United States. France 
frankly avowed, what folly alone could tempt her to conceal, that in this 
measure, she sought her own interest. Though war with Great Britain would 
probably be the consequence, there was a generosity displayed in abstaining 
from requiring any preference over other nations, and in treating with the 
new states as if they had been long established, and were in the fulness of 
strength and power. 

Two treaties were formed. One, of friendship and commerce, recognised 
the independence of America. The other, of alliance, eventual and defensive, 
between the two nations, stipulated, that should a war arise between Great 
Britain and France during the existence of that with the United States, it 
should become a common cause, and that neither of the contracting parties 
should conclude either truce or peace with Great Britain, without the formal 
assent of the other. They mutually engaged not to lay down their arms, 
until the independence of the United States should be assured by treaty ter- 
minating the war. There were other provisions in this contract, which in their 
result did not affect the revolution. 

VI. Soon after, the treaty of friendship and commerce was communicated 
by the representative of France to the British court; which, readily, con- 
ceiving, that France had not taken this step without a resolution to follow it 
through all its consequences, considered the notification a declaration of war ; 
and immediately published a memorial for the justification of the hostilities 
she resolved to commence. 

The French ministry received private intelligence, that the English 
cabinet contemplated to offer to the United States the acknowledgment of 
their independence, on condition of a separate peace. They communicated 
this to the American commissioners, urging them to lose no time in repre- 
senting, that the war, though not declared in form, had actually commenced, 
and that they, deeming the treaty of alliance in full force, considered neither 
party at liberty to make a separate peace. 

The despatches containing the treaties were received by the president of 
Congress, on Saturday, the second of May, after the House had adjourned. 
That body was immediately convened, and the joyful tidings communicated. 
The treaties were ratified, on Monday, with a resolution highly compli- 
mentary to the magnanimity and wisdom of the French monarch. But the 
intoxication of joy led this grave assembly into the error of publishing both, 
the avowed and concealed ; or it served as an excuse for involving France, 
inextricably, in their cause, by confirming the indignation of Great Britain at 
her duplicity. 

VII. The impression made upon the British nation, though different, was 
not less, than that upon the French, by the capture of Burgoyne; and pro- 
duced even in the cabinet, resolutions in favour of pacific measures. In 
February, 1778, Lord North gave notice in the House of Commons, of his 
intention to propose a plan of conciliation. In conformity with which, he 
moved to bring in "a bill for removing all doubts and apprehensions con- 
cerning taxation by the Parliament of Great Britain, in any of the colonies 
and plantations of North America," and "a bill to enable his Majesty to ap- 
point commissioners, with sufficient powers to treat, consult, and agree upon 



268 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the means of quieting the disorders now subsisting in certain of the colonies 
of America. 

The first declared that Parliament would impose no duty payable in 
America, except such as might be expedient for the purposes of commerce, 
the net produce of which, should be paid and applied for the use of the colo- 
ny in which it should be levied, as other duties collected under the authority 
of the Legislature. The second, authorized the appointment of commission- 
ers by the Crown, with power to treat, either with the constituted authorities, 
or with individuals in America, — the stipulations which might be entered 
into, to be subject to the approbation of Parliament. They were also em- 
powered to proclaim a cessation of hostilities in any of the colonies ; to sus- 
pend the operation of the non-intercourse law, and, during the continuance 
of the act, so much of all or any of the acts of Parliament, which had passed 
since the 10th of February, 1773, relating to the colonies; to grant pardon 
to any number or description of pei'sons; and to appoint a governor in any 
colony, in which his Majesty had, theretofore, made such appointments. The 
duration of the last act was limited to the first of June, 1779. Both were 
sanctioned by Parliament with little opposition. Their great defect was, that 
they came too late. The spirit upon which they might have wrought was 
no more. It had been succeeded by one to which the demand of subjection, 
and the ofier of pardon were irreparable insults. 

Before these bills could be gotten through the customary forms, intelli- 
gence was received of the treaty with France. Copies were, therefore, hur- 
ried to America, to be laid before Congress, and the public, that they might 
counteract the effect of the treaty. 

VIII. Washington was instructed of the nature of these bills, as well by 
letters, from Major-general Tryon, the British governor of New York, as from 
other sources. The communication from Tryon, containing the extraordinary 
and impertinent request, " that it should be published to the army," was im- 
mediately despatched to Congress. The committee to whom it was referred, 
reported. That the bills were designed to create division among the people, 
and to encourage desertion from the common cause, and were the sequel of 
the insidious plan, which, from the days of the stamp act, had involved the 
country in contention and blood; and though circumstances might, now, 
cause a recession from unjustifiable claims, they would not fail to be renewed 
upon the first favourable occasion: — That, as the union of the Americans, 
upon principles of common interest in defence of common rights, was 
cemented by common calamities and mutual good offices and affection, so 
the cause for which they contended, and in which all mankind were inte- 
rested, must derive its success from the continuance of such union; and 
that, whoever should presume to make any separate or partial convention, 
with the commissioners under the crown, ought to be considered and treated 
as open and avowed enemies of the United States : — That, the United States 
could not, with propriety, hold conference with commissioners from Great 
Britain, unless as a preliminary, they should withdraw their fleets and ar- 
mies, or in express terms acknowledge the independence of the States : And 
that, as it appeared to be the design of the enemies of the States, to lull them 
into fatal security, the States should be called upon to use the most strenuous 
exertions, to send their respective quotas of troops into the field, and to main- 
tain their militia in readiness. Fearless of the effect of these measm-es upon 
the public mind. Congress ordered the report and resolutions to be published. 
The alliance with France, which had been long expected, was believed by 
every patriot to assure the national independence, — and this had become an 
object too dear to be easily abandoned. 

Subsequently to the reception of the copies of the bills, letters were re- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 269 

ceived by Congress, in the close of May, from Lord Howe and Sir Henry 
Clinton, enclosing the acts of Parliament, themselves. . Congress replied — 
" Your lordship may be assured, that when the king of Great Britain shall 
be seriously disposed to put an end to the unprovoked and cruel war waged 
against these United States, Congress will readily attend to such terms of 
peace, as may consist with the honour of independent nations, the interest 
of their constituents, and the sacred regard they mean to pay to treaties." 

The commissioners appointed • to give eifect to those conciliatory bills, 
consisted of Governor Johnstone, Lord Carlisle, and Mr. Eden, to whom Sir 
Henry Clinton was added. The three first arrived in Philadelphia, while 
the city was in possession of the British. On the 9th of June they request- 
ed, from General Washington, a passport for their secretary. Dr. Ferguson, 
with a letter from them to Congress ; but this was refused. They, then, ad- 
dressed a letter to Congress, in due form, communicating a copy of their 
commission, and of the acts . of Parliament, and proposing among other 
things, to consent to a cessation of hostilities by sea and land; to restore 
free intercourse, to revive mutual afiection, and renew the common benefits 
of naturalization, through the several parts of the empire : To extend every 
freedom to trade, that the respective interest of Britain and America could 
require : To agree that no military forces should be kept up in North Ame- 
rica, without the consent of the general Congress, or particular Assemblies : 
To concur in measures " calculated to discharge the debts of America, and 
to raise the credit and value of the paper circulation :" To perpetuate the 
union, by a reciprocal deputation of agent or agents, who should have the 
privilege of a seat and voice in the Parliament of Great Britain, or if sent 
from Britain, in the Assemblies of the different colonies, to which they might 
be deputed, respectively. In short, to establish the power of the respective 
' Legislatures in each particular colony, to settle its revenue in civil and mili- 
tary establishment, and to exercise a perfect freedom in legislation and inter- 
nal government ; so that the British colonies in North America, acting with 
.Great Britain, in peace and in war, under one common sovereign, might 
have the irrevocable enjoyment of every privilege, short of a total separation 
•of interests, or consistent with that union of force, on which the safety of 
their common religion and libei'ty depended." 

The letter containing these propositions, also, contained some observations 
reflecting on the conduct of France, which gave so much offence in Congress, 
as to cause a suspension of the proceedings on the communication. But at 
' length, an answer was agreed upon, signed by the president, and trans- 
mitted to the commissioners, rejecting their propositions, and assigning 
j reasons therefor. 

A reply from the commissioners followed the rejection of Congress, and 
I the negotiation was thus, for a short period, continued, during which Mr. 
Johnstone caused certain propositions, in the nature of a bribe, to be made to 
'. Mr. Joseph Reed, which were not only indignantly rejected by that gentle- 
i man, but which induced Congress to refuse intercourse with the proposer. 
: Mr. Johnstone, thereupon, retired from the commission, whilst his colleagues 
1 endeavoured to press their views upon the Congress and the nation. To the 
' latter, both parties appealed through the press, but the British agents were, 
1 in every effort, unsuccessful. , ' 

; IX. In the midst of these transactions, the Sieur Girard, who had nego- 
tiated the treaties between France and the United States, arrived at Phila- 
, delphia, in the character of minister plenipotentiary of his most Christian 
i Majesty. This event produced unbounded joy among the people and Con- 
i gress, by whom the minister was received with every demonstration of 
; respect. 



270 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

X. About the time the command of the army devolved on Sir Henry 
Clinton, orders were received for the evacuation of Philadelphia. The part 
which France was about to take in the war, with the naval force she had 
prepared, rendered this city a dangerous position, and determined the admi- 
nistration, entirely, to abandon the Delaware. Preparations to this end were 
actively pursued, but it was some time uncertain, to what point the army 
was destined. At length, the intention was apparent to reach New York 
through the Jerseys. Upon this presumption, General Washington con- 
ducted his operations. 

General Maxwell, with the Jersey brigade, was ordered to take post about 
Mount Holly, and to unite with Major-general Dickenson, who was assem- 
bling the militia, for the purpose of breaking down the bridges, falling trees 
in the roads, and otherwise embarrassing the march of the British general. 
Instructions were given to these officers, to guard carefully against a coup 
de main, and to keep the militia, in small light parties, on his flanks. 

When Washington leai'ned, that the greater proportion of the British army 
had crossed the Delaware,* he convened a council of general officers, to 
determine on his course. The force of the armies was nearly equal, the 
numerical advantage being with the Americans ; the British having ten, and 
the Americans between ten and eleven, thousand. Of seventeen general 
officers, Wayne and Cadwalader, alone, were decidedly in favour of attacking 
the enemy. Fayette inclined to that opinion without openly embracing it. 
•Consequently, it was resolved, not to risk a battle. 

Sir Henry Clinton moved with great deliberation; seeming to await the 
approach of his adversary. He proceeded through Haddonfield,t Mount 
Holly, Slabtown, and Crosswicks, to AUentown and Imlaytown, which he. 
reached, on the twenty-fourth. Dickenson and Maxwell retired before him, 
unable to obstruct his march otherwise than by destroying the bridges. As 
his route, until he passed Crosswicks, lay directly up the Delaware, and at 
no great distance from it. General Washington found it necessary to make 
an extensive circuit, to pass the river at Coryell's Ferry. Pursuant to the 
settled plan of avoiding an engagement, he kept the high grounds, directing 
his course so as to cover the important passes of the Highlands. He crossed 
the I'iver on the twenty-second, and remained the twenty-third at Hopewell, 
in the elevated country, adjacent to the river. 

General Arnold, whose wounds yet unfitted him for service, was directed 
to possess himself of Philadelphia, and to detach four hundred continental 
troops, and such militia as could be collected, to harass the rear of the enemy. 
This service, by the order of the commander-in-chief, was confided to Gene- 
ral Cadwalader, who could only add to his continental force, fifty volunteers 
and i'orty militia, commanded by General Lacy. From Hopewell, Morgan, 
with six hundred riflemen, was detached to annoy his right flank ; Dicken- 
son, with about one thousand Jersey militia, and Maxwell's brigade, hung on 
his left. 

XI. In this position of the armies, General Washington, who had rather 
acquiesced in, than approved, the decision of the late council of war, and 
was disposed to seek battle, again submitted the proposal to the consideration 
of the general officers, by whom it was, again, negatived. By their advice 
a chosen body of fifteen hundred men, under Brigadier-general Scott, was 
added to the corps on the left flank of the enemy. But Washington being 

* June 18th, 1777. 

t The night that the British encamped at Haddonfield, Captain M'Lane, by orders 
from General Arnold, passed through their camp, and reported their situation to the 
general. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 271 

supported by the wishes of some officers whom he highly valued, determined, 
on his own responsibility, to bring on a general engagement. The enemy 
being on his march to Monmouth court-house, he resolved to strengthen the 
force on his Unes, by despatching General Wayne with an additional corps 
of one thousand men. I'he continental troops, now, thrown in front of the 
army, amounted to four thousand men, a force sufficient to require the di- 
rection of a major-general. The tour of duty was General Lee's ; but, he, 
having declared, strongly, against hazarding, even a partial engagement, and 
supposing that, in conlbrmity with the advice signed by all the generals in 
camp, save one, nothing would be attempted beyond reconnoitring the 
enemy, and restraining the plundering parties, showed no disposition to 
assert his claim ; but yielded the command to General La Fayette. All the 
continental parties on the lines were placed under his direction, with orders 
to take measures, in concert with General Dickenson, to impede the march 
of the British, and to occasion them the greatest loss. These measures de- 
monstrated the wishes of the commander-in-chief, tending almost inevitably 
to a general battle. Wayne had earnestly advised it, and La Fayette in- 
cHned towards a partial engagement. Colonel Hamilton, who accompanied 
him, had the strongest desii'e to signalize the detachment, and to accomplish 
all the wishes of Washington. These dispositions having been made, the 
main army was moved to Cranberry, on the 26th, to support the advance. 
The intense heat of the weather, a heavy storm, and a temporary want of 
provisions, prevented it from proceeding further next day. The advanced 
corps had pressed forward and taken a position on the Monmouth road, about 
five miles in the rear of the enemy, with the intention of attacking him on 
the next morning. It was now, however, too remote, and too far on the 
right, to be supported in case of action; and pursuant to orders, the Marquis 
filed off by his left, towards Englishtown, early on the morning of the 27th. 

General Lee had declined the command of the advance party, under the 
opinion, that it was not designed for effective service ; but perceiving, soon 
after its march, that much importance was attached to it, and dreading lest 
his reputation might suffer, he earnestly solicited to be placed at its head. 
To relieve his feelings, without wounding those of La Fayette, Washington 
detached the former, with two other brigades, to support the Marquis. Lee 
would, of course, have the direction of the whole front division, amount- 
ing now to five thousand men ; but he stipulated, that if any enterprise had 
been formed by La Fayette, it should be executed as if the commanding 
officer had not been changed. 

Sir Henry Clinton had taken a strong position, on the high grounds about 
Monmouth court-house ; having his right flank in the skirt of a small wood, 
his left secured by a thick one, and a morass towards his rear. His whole 
front was, also, covered by a wood, and, for a considerable distance towards 
his left, by a morass, and he was within twelve miles of the high grounds 
about Middletown ; after reaching which, he would be perfectly secure. 

Under these circumstances. General Washington determined to attack 
their rear, the moment they should move from their ground. This determi- 
nation was communicated to Lee, with orders to make his dispositions, and 
to keep his troops constantly lying on their arms, that he might be in readi- 
ness to take advantage of the first movement. Corresponding orders were 
also given to the rear division. 

About five in the morning of the twenty-eighth, intelligence was received 
from General Dickenson, that the front of the enemy was in motion. The 
troops were immediately under arms, and Lee was directed to move on, and 
attack the rear, " unless there should be powerful reasons to the contrary." 



272 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

He was, at the same time, informed, that the main army would march to 
support him. 

Sir Henry CHnton, perceiving that the Americans were in his neighbour- 
hood, changed the order of his march. The baggage was placed under the 
care of General Knyphausen, while the flower of his army, unincumbered, 
formed the rear division commanded by Lord Cornwallis; who, to avoid 
pressing on Knyphausen, remained on his ground until about eight, and then 
descending from the heights of Freehold, into a plain of about three miles in 
extent, took up his line of march in rear of the front division.* 

General Lee made the dispositions necessary for executing his orders; 
and, soon after the rear of the enemy was in motion, prepared to attack it. 
General Dickenson had been directed, to detach some of his best troops, to 
co-operate with him ; and Morgan to act on the enemy's right flank, but with 
so much caution, as to be able readily to extricate himself, and to form a 
junction with the main body. 

Lee appeared on the heights of Freehold, soon after the enemy had left 
them, and following the British into the plain, gave directions to General 
Wayne to attack their covering party, so as to halt them, but not to press 
them sufficiently to force them up to the main body, or to draw reinforce- 
ments from thence, to their aid. In the mean time, he proposed to gain their 
front by a shorter road on their left, and entirely intercepting their commu- 
nication with the line, to bear them off before they could be assisted. 

While in the execution of this design, a gentleman of General Washing- 
ton's suite came up to gain intelligence, and to him, Lee communicated his 
present object. 

Sir Henry Clinton, soon after the rear division was in full march, ob- 
served a column of the Americans on his left flank. This being militia, 
was soon dispersed. When his rear guard had descended from the hills, 
it was followed by a strong corps ; soon after which, a cannonade upon it 
was commenced from some pieces commanded by Colonel Oswald, and, 
at the same time, he received intelligence, that a respectable force had 
shown itself on both his flanks. Believing a design to have been formed 
on his baggage, which in the defiles would be exposed, he determined, in 
order to secure it, to attack the troops in his rear, so vigorously, as to 
compel them to call off those on his flanks. This induced him to march' 
back his whole rear division, which movement was making, as Lee advanced 
for the purpose of reconnoitring, to the front of the wood, adjoining the 
plain. He soon perceived himself to have mistaken the force which formed 
the rear of the British; but he yet proposed to engage on that ground, 
although his judgment, as was aflerwards stated by himself, on an inquiry 
into his conduct, disapproved of it; there being a morass immediately in his 
rear, which could not be passed without difficulty, and which would neces- 
sarily impede the arrival of I'einforceinents to his aid, and embarrass his 
retreat should he be finally overpowered. 

This was about ten o'clock. While both armies were preparing for action, 
General Scott (as stated by Genei'al Lee) mistook an oblique march of an 
American column for a retreat; and, in the apprehension of being aban- 
doned, left his position, and repassed the ravine in his rear. Being himself of 
opinion, that the ground on which the army was drawn up, was by no means 
favourable to them, Lee did not correct the error Scott had committed, but 
directed the whole detachment to regain the heights they had passed. He 
was pressed by the enemy, and some slight skirmishing ensued, during this 
retrograde movement, in which not much loss was sustained on either side. 

* Letter of Sir Henry Clinton. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 273 

When the first firing announced the commencement of the action, the 
rear division threw off their packs, and advanced rapidly to support the front. 
As they approached the scene of action, Washington, who had received no 
intelhgence from Lee, notifying his retreat, rode forward; and about noon, 
after the army had marched five miles, to his utter astonishment and 
mortification, met the advanced corps retiring before the enemy, without 
having made a single effort to maintain their ground. Those whom he first 
fell in with, neither understood the motives which had governed General 
Lee, nor his present design ; and could give no other information than that, 
by his orders, they had fled without fighting. 

Washington rode to the rear of the division, which was closely pressed. 
There he met Lee, to whom he spoke in terms of some warmth, implying 
disapprobation of his conduct. He also gave immediate orders to the regi- 
ments commanded by Colonel Stewart and Lieutenant-colonel Ramsay, to 
form on a piece of ground which he deemed proper for the purpose of check- 
ing the enemy, who were advancing rapidly on them. General Lee was 
then directed to take proper measures, with the residue of his force, to stop 
the British column on that ground, and the commandei*-in-chief rode back, 
hiraself, to arrange the rear division of the army. 

These orders were executed with firmness. A sharp conflict ensued, and 
when forced from the ground on which he had been placed, Lee brought off 
his troops in good order, and was, then, directed to form in the rear of Eng- 
lish town. 

The check thus given the enemy, afforded time to draw up the left wing 
and second line of the American army, on an eminence, partly in a wood, 
and partly in an open field, covered by a morass in front. Lord Stirling, 
who commanded the wing, brought up a detachment of artillery, under 
Lieutenant-colonel Carrington, with some field pieces, which played with 
considerable effect on the enemy, who had passed the morass, and were 
pressing on to the charge. These pieces, with the aid of several parties of 
infantry, detached for the purpose, effectually put a stop to their advance. 
The American artillery were drawn up in the open field, and maintained 
their ground with admirable firmness, under a heavy and persevering fire 
from the British. 

The right wing was, for the day, commanded by General Greene. To 
expedite the march, and to prevent the enemy from turning the right 
flank, he had been ordered to file off by the new church, two miles from 
Englishtown, and to fall into the Monmouth road, a small distance in the 
rear of the court-house, while the residue of the army proceeded directly to 
that place. He had advanced on this road considerably to the right of, and 
rather beyond, the ground on which the armies were now engaged, when he 
was informed of the retreat of Lee, and of the new disposition of the troops. 
He immediately changed his route, and took an advantageous position on the 
right. 

Warmly opposed in front, the enemy attempted to turn the left flank of 
the American army, but were repulsed, and driven back by parties of in- 
fantry. They then attempted the right, with as little success. General 
Greene had advanced a body of troops, with artillery, to a commanding 
piece of ground in his front, which not only marred their design of turning 
the right, but sevci-ely enfiladed the party which yet I'emaincd in front of the 
left, wing. At this moment. General Wayne advanced with a body of in- 
fantry in front, who kept up so hot and well directed a fire of musketry, 
that the British soon gave way, and withdrew behind the ravine, to the 
ground on which the first halt had been made. 

Here the British line was formed on very strong ground. Both flanks 
2M 



274 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

were secured by thick woods and morasses, while their front could be reached, 
only, through a narrow pass. The day had been intensely hot, and the troops 
were much fatigued. Still Washington resolved to renew the engagement. 
For this purpose. Brigadier-general Poor, with his own and the Carolina 
brigade, gained the enemy's right flank, while Woodford, with his brigade, 
turned their left, and the artillery advanced on them in front. But the impedi- 
ments on the flanks of the enemy were so considerable, that before they 
could be overcome, and the troops approach near enough to commence the 
attack, it was nearly dark. Under these circumstances, further operations 
were deferred until morning. The brigades on the flanks kept their ground 
through the night, and the other troops lay on their arms in the field of 
battle, in order to be in perfect readiness to support them. General Wash- 
ington, who had, through the day, been extremely active, passed the night, 
in his cloak in the midst of his soldiers. 

In the mean time, the British were employed in removing their wounded. 
About midnight they marched away in such silence, that their retreat was 
without the knowledge of General Poor, who lay very near them. 

As it was perfectly certain, that they would gain the high grounds about 
Middletown, before they could be overtaken, where they could not be at- 
tacked with advantage; as the face of the country afforded no prospect of 
opposing their embarkation; and as the battle, already, fought had terminated 
favourably to the reputation of the American arms; it was thought advisable 
to relinquish the pursuit. Leaving the Jersey brigade, Morgan's corps, and 
M'Lane's command * to hover about them, to countenance desertion, and 
protect the counti-y from their depredations, it was resolved to move the 
main body of the army to the Hudson, and take a position which should 
efieclually cover the important passes in the Highlands. 

The loss of the Americans was eight officers and sixty-one privates killed, 
and about one hundred and sixty wounded. Among the slain were Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Bonner of Pennsylvania, and Major Dickenson of Virginia, 
both much regretted. One hundred and thirty were missing; of whom 
many afterwards rejoined their regiments. 

Sir Henry Clinton stated his dead and missing at four officers, and one 
hundred and eighty -four privates; his wounded, at sixteen officers, and one 
hundred and fifty-four privates. This account, so far as respects the dead, 
cannot be correct, as lour officers, and two hundred and forty-five privates 
were buried on the field, and some few were afterwards found and buried, so 
as to increase the number to nearly three hundred. The uncommon heat ol' 
the day was fatal to several on both sides. 

As usual, when a battle has not been decisive, both parties claimed the 
victory. In the early part of the day, the advantage was certainly with the 
British ; in the latter ])art, it may be pronounced, with equal certainty, to 
have been with the Americans. They maintained their ground, repulsed 
the enemy by whom they were attacked, were prevented only by the night, 
and the retreat of Sir Henry Clinton, from renewing the action, and suffered 
in killed and wounded less than their adversaries. 

Independent of the loss sustained in the action, the British army was con- 
siderably weakened in its way from Philadelphia to New York. About one 
hundred prisoners were made,' and near a thousand soldiers, principally 
foreigners, many of whom had married in Philadelphia, deserted the British 
standard during the march. 

Whilst the armies were traversing the Jerseys, Gates, who commanded 
on the North river, by a well timed and judicious movement down the Hud- 

^ The militia had returned to their houicb iiiimediatoly after the action 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 275 

son, threatened New York, for the purpose of restraining the garrison of that 
place, from reinfoi'cing Sir Henry Clinton, should such a measure be con- 
templated. 

The conduct of Lee was generally disapproved. As, however, he had 
possessed a large share of the confidence of the commander-in-chief, it is 
probable, that explanations might have been made, which would have rescued 
him from the imputations cast on him, and have restored him to the esteem 
of the army, could his haughty temper have brooked the indignity he be- 
lieved to have been olfercd him on the field of battle. General Washington 
had taken no measures in consequence of the events of that day, and, pro- 
bably, would have come to no resolution concerning them, without an ami- 
cable explanation, had he not received from Lee a letter, in very unbe- 
coming terms, in which he manifestly assumed the station of a superior, and 
required reparation for the injury sustained, from the very singular expres- 
sions, said to have been used, on the day of the action, by the commander-in- 
chief. 

This letter was answered by an assurance, that so soon as circumstances 
would admit of an inquiry, he should have an opportunity of justifying him- 
self to the army, to America, and to the world in general, or of convincing 
them that he had been guilty of disobedience of orders, and misbehaviour 
before the enemy. On the same day, on Lee's expressing a wish for a 
speedy investigation of his conduct, and for a court-martial, rather than a 
court of inquiry, he was arrested. 

First. For disobedience of orders in not attacking the enemy on the 28th 
of June, agreeably to repeated instructions. Secondly. For misbehavioiu" 
before the enemy on the same day, in making an unnecessary, disorderly, 
and shameful retreat. Thirdly. For disrespect to the commander-in-chief 
in two letters. Before this correspondence had taken place, strong and spe- 
cific charges of misconduct had been made against General Lee, by several 
officers of his detachment, and particularly, by Generals Wayne and Scott. 
In these the transactions of the day, not being well understood, were repre- 
sented in colours much more unfavourable to Lee, than facts would justify. 
These representations, most probably, produced the strength of the expres- 
sions contained in the second article of the charge. A court-martial was 
soon called, over which Lord Stirling presided; and, after a full investiga- 
tion, Lee was found guilty of all the charges exhibited against him, and sen- 
tenced to be suspended for one year. This sentence was afterwards, though 
with some hesitation, approved, almost unanimously, by Congress. The 
court softened, in some degree, the severity of the second charge, by finding 
him guilty, not in its very words, but of misbehaviour belbre the enemy, by 
making an unnecessary, and, in some few instances, a disorderly retreat. 

Lee defended himself with his accustomed ability. Fie suggested a variety 
of reasons justifying his retreat, which, if they do not absolutely establish 
its propriety, give it so questionable a form, as to render it probable that a 
public examination never woidd have taken place, could his proud spirit have 
stooped to offer explanation, instead of outrage, to the commander-in-chief. 

The attention of General Washington was now turned, principally, to the 
North river, towards which the march of his army was directed, with the 
intention of continuing some time about Haverstraw. And soon after he 
crossed the North river to the White Plains. 

Afler remaining a few days on the high grounds of Middletown, Sir Henry 
Clinton proceeded to Sandy Ilook ; whence he passed his army over to New 
York. This transit was effected by means of the fleet under Lord Howe, which 
had arrived off the Hook on the 28th of June. 



276 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

XII. Upon the day of battle, the French fleet, imder Count d'Estaing, 
having on board a respectable body of land forces, made the coast, off 
Chincoteague inlet. Had it arrived a few days earlier, its superior force 
would have shut Lord Howe, and the British fleet, in the Delaware ; and the 
capture of the army, under Sir Henry Clinton would, probably, have follow- 
ed. The count proceeded to Sandy Hook, for the purpose of attacking the 
British fleet in port; and should this be found impracticable, to make an at- 
tempt on Rhode Island. The first was defeated by the shoalness of the bar, 
at the mouth of the harbour. 

XIII. In the preceding winter, General Sullivan had been detached to 
command the troops in Rhode Island, and he was now directed to make such 
requisitions on the militia of New England, and to prepare sucli measures, 
as would enable him to attempt the town of Newport. General La Fayette 
joined him with two brigades; and soon after. General Greene assumed 
command of the whole force. On the 26th of July, the French fleet appear- 
ed off' Newport, and cast anchor about five miles from that place, without 
Brenton's Ledge. 

Sir Henry Clinton, apprehensive for the safety of his troops at Newport, 
had reinforced Major-general Pigot, who commanded on Rhode Island, and 
the garrison, now, amounted to six thousand effectives. Their main body 
lay at Newport ; and the American army, under Sullivan, about the town of 
Providence. A plan for the reduction of Newport, was concerted between 
D'Estaing and Sullivan, in pursuance of which, the latter landed a force of 
near nine thousand men, on the island. But having, as the count supposed, 
improperly, taken preference of the French, he became offended, and some 
delay occurred in the co-operation of the French forces. In the mean time, 
a reinforcement to the British fleet arrived from Europe, under Admiral 
Byron, who came out to relieve Lord Howe. This circumstance determined 
the latter, though still superior in force, to attack the French fleet before 
Newport. Having approached that town, D'Estaing, with the weather gage, 
left the harbour to give battle. Howe deemed this an advantage in addition 
to numerical superiority, too great to encounter, and immediately put to sea, 
followed by the French. Two days were spent in fruitless manoeuvres; 
and on the third, the fleets were separated and dispersed, by a storm. In a 
shattered condition, the English vessels sailed for New York, and the French 
for Rhode Island. D'Estaing, alleging his instructions to repair to Boston, 
should a superior British force reach America, refused to renew the attempt 
on the island, and lefl; the American army there, to contend alone with the 
British in their entrenchments. Against this measure, all the general offi- 
cers, except La Fayette, warmly protested. But thus deserted, the siege of 
Newport was broken up, on the night of the 28th of August ; the army re- 
tiring, unobserved, to the northern end of the island. The British followed in 
two columns, and a smart action was fought, in which the American troops 
showed great firmness and courage. The battle ended with the day ; both 
parties claiming the victory. Sullivan retreated from the island on the 30th, 
just in season to save his army ; for on the next day. Sir Henry Clinton ar- 
rived with a force which would have rendered it impracticable. The con- 
duct of the general was highly approved by Congress. But an unfortunate 
expression, in his general orders, seemingly, reflecting on the conduct of the 
French, gave the officers of their fleet and army some offence, which induced 
a representation from D'Estaing to the national council. The inhabitants of 
New England, generally, were so much discontented with the conduct of the 
fleet, that fears were entertained, lest the means of repairing the ships, could 
not be procured. These dangerous and irritating dissentions were appeased 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 277 

by the interference of Washington, Hancock, Greene, and other American 
patriots, who justly dreaded their effect on the fate of the country. 

The EngHsh fleet had suffered less from the storm than the French ; and 
Loi'd Howe, after refitting at New York, sailed for Boston, in hope of inter- 
cepting D'Estaing; but failing in this, and finding him safely moored in the 
harbour, he returned to New York, where receiving such additions to his 
force, as rendered him decidedly superior to his adversary, he resigned the 
command to Admiral Gambler, until the arrival of Admiral Byron, daily 
expected from Halifax. 

XIV. On his way from Rhode Island to New York, Sir Henry Clinton 
prepared to make a descent on New London ; but the winds proving adverse, 
he lefl the troops and transports, under Major-general Gray, to conduct an 
expedition to the eastward, as far as Buzzard's Bay. Gray destroyed a 
number of privateers, with their prizes, and some merchant vessels in Acush- 
net river, and reduced, on the 5th of September, great part of the towns of 
Bedford and Fairhaven, where a considerable quantity of provisions, military 
and naval stores, were reduced to ashes. At Martha's Vineyard, several 
vessels and salt works were destroyed, and a heavy contribution of live 
stock, levied on the inhabitants. 

XV. Apprehensive that a combined attack of the land and naval force of 
the British, would be made on the French, fleet. General Gates was directed 
with three brigades to proceed as far as Danbury, in Connecticut, there to 
await orders. And with a view, both to the passes of the Highlands, and 
the eastern States, the camp at White Plains was broken up, and the main 
body of the army took a position further north, at Fredericksburg; while 
General Putnam was detached with two brigades, to the neighbourhood of 
West Point, and General M'Dougal with two others to Danbury, to join 
General Gates. 

XVI. Soon after the return of Gray, a large British force from New York, 
in two columns, ascended the North river, by either bank. That on the west, 
of five thousand men, was commanded by Cornwallis, and that on the east, of 
three thousand, by Knyphausen. Their principal object was conjectured to 
be forage. The west corps surprised the cavalry regiment of Colonel Baylor, 
at Taupan, or Harrington. The British troops, on the 27th of September, 
rushed upon them in a barn where they slept, and refusing quarter, used the 
bayonet with savage cruelty. Of one hundred and four privates, sixty-seven 
were killed, wounded or taken — Colonel Baylor and Major Clough, both 
wounded, the former dangerously, the Jatter mortally, were, among the pri- 
soners. Some militia in the same neighbourhood, apprized of the approach 
of Colonel Campbell, who was sent against them, made their escape. The 
cruelty exercised on this occasion was, by the request of Congress, establish- 
ed by an inquisition instituted by Governor Livir>gston. This affair was in 
some degree balanced by one which occurred thuee days after. Colonel 
Richard Butler, assisted by Major Lee, with part of his cavalry, fell in with 
a party of fifteen chasseurs, and an hundred yagers, under Captain Donop, 
on whom they made so rapid a charge, that, without the loss of a man, tliey 

y killed ten of the enemy on the spot, and took the officer commanding the 

I chasseurs, and eighteen of the yagers, prisoners. 

This movement had been, in part, designed to favour an expedition against 
Little Egg Harbour. Count Pulaski had been appointed general of the 
American cavalry, but the dissatisfaction of the officers induced him to resign 
his commission. He obtained permission to raise a legionary corps, consist- 
ing of three incomplete companies of horse, and the like number of foot, 
officered by foreigners, among whom was one Juliet, a deserter from the 
enemy. The Count had been ordered from Trenton to Little Egg Harbour, 



I 



278 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

and was lying eight or ten miles from the coast, when his position was be- 
trayed by Juliet. The plan to surprise him was successful, with respect to 
his infantry, who were put to the bayonet. The British account represents 
the whole corps to have been destroyed ; but the Count admitted a loss of 
about forty only — and averred, that with his cavalry, he drove the enemy 
from the ground. 

XVII. Admiral Byron assumed the command of the British fleet at New 
York, in September, andin October, appeared before Boston, for the purpose 
of blocking up D'Estaing, and availing himself of any circumstance which 
might favour an attack on the French fleet. But a furious storm driving 
him to sea, and essentially injuring him, he was compelled to put into Rhode 
Island, to refit. The French admiral, improving the favourable opportunity, 
sailed on the 3d of November, for the West Indies. Thus terminated, with- 
out material advantage, an expedition, of whose success the most sanguine 
expectations had been entertained. 

Upon the same day, a detachment of five thousand men, from the British 
army, sailed from New York, under Major-general Grant, with the like des- 
tination ; and towards the close of the month, another under Colonel Camp- 
bell, embarked, to act offensively, against the southern States. 

XVIII. As there yet remained in New York a force sufficient for its de- 
fence, the American army retired, in December, into winter quarters. The 
main body was cantoned in Connecticut, on both sides of the North river, 
about West Point, and at Middlebrook. The troops again wintered in huts, 
to which they had become accustomed; and though far from being well clad, 
their condition was in this respect, so much ameliorated, by supplies from 
France, that they bore every inconvenience without repining. 

The errors of the first years of the war had produced some useful reforms. 
The insuflicicncy of the provision for the support of the military officers, had 
caused the resignation of many, to the great injury of the service. From 
the convictions of justice and policy, and from respect to the earnest and dis- 
interested recommendation of General Washington, Congress allowed half 
pay, for seven years after the expiration of service; which was subsequently 
extended to the end of their lives, but was finally commuted for full pay, for 
five years. Resignations were afterwards rare, and the States reaped the 
benefit of experienced officers, until the war was ended. A system of more 
regular discipline was introduced into the army, by Baron de Steuben, who 
had served under the King of Prussia. A very important amelioration was 
.effected in the medical department, by appointing different officers to dis- 
charge the directing and jnirveying business of the military hospitals, which 
had been before united in the same hands; The merit of this change is due 
to Dr. Rush. And the ordinances limiting prices, being found utterly im- 
practicable, were abolished. 

XIX. Throughout all the borders of the land, a barbarous war was carried 
on by the savages, in which the usual restraints on the worst passions of our 
nature were abandoned. The American tories and refugees, who had fled 
to the wilds, under the disguise of Indians, indulged an unbounded lust for 
rapine. These tutored savages acted as guides to the war parties, leading 
them into the richest and undefended settlements, and enabling them fre- 
quently to escape with impunity. Any reverses they might occasionally 
suffer, were amply compensated by the British agents, whose inhuman po- 
licy had armed the murderers' hands, and daily urged them to action. 
Whilst the war was distant from the Indian country, the Indians experienced 
none of its evils. It produced only the pleasure of adventure, and of sudden and 
extraordinary acquisition. A particular detail of the devastations of property, 
of the distress of all sexes, ages and conditions, who were driven from their 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 279 

conflagrated homes, and wasted farms, to seek precarious shelter in the forest, 
and to subsist upon the spontaneous productions of the earth, and an account of 
the barbarous murders, would exceed our limits, and be but repetitions of dis- 
gusting scenes of horror. We will dwell only on the massacre at Wyoming, 
in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, perpetrated under Colonel John Butler, a 
Connecticut tory, and an inhabitant of that charming valley, which in atro- 
city has never been surpassed. Early in July, 1778, a party of one thousand 
one hundred, of -vvhom nine hundred were Indians, entered this new settle- 
ment. One «^f the forts, which had been constructed for the security of the 
inhabitants, being garrisoned by concealed tories, was surrendered, without 
opjjosition. Am:)ther was taken, part of the garrison having retired. The 
<wo principal fort.s, however, were Kingston and Wilkesbarre, near each 
■ her, on opposite sides of the Susquehanna river. The first contained Co- 
nel Zcbnlon Butler, a cousin of the tory chieftain, with the greatest part of 
: le armed force of the country, and a number of women and children. After 
i'iectin'/ a summons to surrender, he agreed to a parley at some distance 
. nm U fort, and marched to the appointed spot, with four hundred men. 
\V) jjerson was, there, visible; but at a greater distance a flag was seen, which 
retired towards the mountain as he advanced, until it led him into an am- 
bush, where, almost enveloped, he was suddenly attacked by the enemy. 
His troops, with great presence of mind and courage, instantly returned the 
fire, and were gaining the advantage in the combat, when some one, either 
coward or traitor, cried out, "the Colonel has ordered a retreat!" upon 
which immediate confusion was succeeded by a total rout. The troops en- 
deavoured to cross the river to Wilkesbarre, but twenty only escaped from 
s'laughter. Fort Kingston was immediately mvested, and, to increase the terror 
of tlie garrison, the green and bleeding scalps of their wounded countrymen 
were sent in for their inspection, (-'olouel Zebulon Butler having withdrawn 
'himself and family down the river, Colonel Dennison, the commanding oflicer, 
went out with a flag, to inquire what terms would be allowed the garrison. 
He received for answer, two words, uniting Spartan brevity with cannibal 
ferocity — " The liatchet." This condition, so merciless, he, unhappily, be- 
lieved would not be inflicted, and surrendered at discretion. But the threat 
was in execution, more barbarous than in the letter. After selecting a few 
prisoners, the great body of the captives were enclosed in the houses, fire was 
applied to them, and they were consumed together. 

Wilkesbarre surrendered without resistance, in the vain hope to mollify the 
fury of the invaders. The continental soldiers, amounting to about seventy, 
were hacked to pieces. The remaining men, with the women and children, 
shared the fate of the suffferers in Kingston ; they perished in the flames. 
Although all show of resistance had terminated, the ruin was not yet com- 
plete. Near three thousand ])ersons had escaped. Flying without money, 
clothes, or food, they sought safety in the interior country. To prevent 
their return, every thing remaining was destroyed. All the dwellings, and 
other improvements which the labour of years had provided, as well as every 
living animal which was discovered, was extirpated. The settlements of ihe 
tories, alone were preserved; an oasis amid the desert.* Some particular in- 
stances of barbarity occurred in this ex[)edition, which stain only civil wars. 
Parents were murdered by their children, and brothers and sisters fell by the 
hands of brothers. 

A repetition of these scenes, was attempted by a body of about five hun- 
dred men, composed of Indians, tories, and a few regulars, who broke into 
the Cherry Valley settlement, in the state of New York, where Colonel 

* Marshall, Ilainsay, Gordon. 



280 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Alden was posted with a continental regiment. A serjeant, with a small pa- 
trole, was cut off; in consequence of which, the colonel was completely sur- 
prised, and, while endeavouring to regain the fort, was killed, with ten of his 
soldiers; and the Ijeutenant-colonel, and two subaltern-officers, were made 
prisoners. The fort was assaulted, but a resolute defence being made, and 
the assailants having intelligence that relief was approaching the garrison, 
the enterprise was abandoned, and the party, after repeating the horrors 
practised in Wyoming, departed from the settlement. 

XX. These injuries were in a small degree retaliated — by inroads into the 
Indian country from Schoharie, under Colonel William Butler ; who pene- 
trated as far as the towns of Unandilla, and Anaquaqua, the head-quarters 
of the celebrated Col. Brandt, an Indian of the half-breed, distinguished for 
his courage and his cruelty, which he destroj'^ed, with a considerable quan- 
tity of corn, laid up for the winter's supply, without discovering an- enemy : — 
By Colonel Hartley, who had been despatched with his regiment, and two 
companies of militia, to Wyoming — and by Colonel George Rogers Clarke, 
of Virginia, who, vvith a small force, and extraordinary exertions, averted 
the Indian war from his state, and captured the fort at St. Vincents, with 
its commander. Colonel Hamilton. This officer, with a {ew of his imme- 
diate agents atid counsellors, who had been instrumental in the savage bar- 
^ barities he had encouraged, were by the executive of Virginia, imprisoned in 
irons. 

These expeditions, however beneficial, procured only partial relief. Con- 
gress, on being informed that the Indians were fortifying at Chemung, a 
large settlement about twelve miles from the mouth of Cayuga, a river 
emptying into the Susquehanna, where a large body of tories was collected, 
directed General Washington to take measures to disperse this encampment, 
and to repel the invasion of the savages on the frontiers of New York, New 
Jersey, and Pennsylvania. But the season of the year being unfit for such 
an enterprise, it was postponed. 

Early in 1779, an extensive plan of operations was devised by General 
Washington, against the broad and fertile country, lying between the then 
westernmost settlements of Pennsylvania and New York, and the great 
lakes, occupied by the Six Nation Indians. These tribes had, from long in- 
tercourse with the whites, acquired many of the comforts of civilized life, 
vvith enlarged ideas of the advantages of private property. Their populous 
villages contained some good houses, their fertile fields yielded an abundant 
supply of corn, and their thrifty orchards, of fruit. A few of their towns 
were attached to the United States, but the greater portion was under the 
influence of the British. In the commencement of the war, they had en- 
gaged to be neutral ; but were unable to resist the seduction of British pre- 
sents, and their own longings for plunder and slaughter. Many of the 
loyalists driven from the United States, had taken refuge among them, in- 
creasing their strength, without diminishing their ferocity. Into the heart 
of these villages of mingled whites and Indians, ii was now determined to 
lead a force, which, overpowering any numbers they could bring in the 
field, would inflict on theni a merited punishment for their cruelties of the 
past year. 

The country was to be entered in three- divisions. The principal, consist- 
ing of three thousand men, marching by the Susquehanna, was to penetrate 
into the settlements of the Senecas; the second, of one thousand, to proceed 
by the Mohawk; and the third, of five hundred, by the Alleghany river. 
To prevent relief from Canada, demonstrations were made of a design to 
attack that province by the way of Lake Champlain. 

XXI. As the army destined ibr the expedition, was about to move, alarming 



I 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 281 

symptoms of discontent appeared in part of it. The Jersey brigade had 
been stationed through the winter at Elizabethtown, for the purpose of cover- 
ing the adjacent country from the incursions of the British troops, on Staten 
Island. It was ordered, early in May, to march by regiments. To this 
order. General Maxwell replied, in a letter to the commander-in-chief, that 
the officers of the first regiment had delivered to their colonel, a remon- 
strance, addressed to the State Legislature, declaring, that, unless their com- 
plaints on the subjects of pay and subsistence obtained immediate attention, 
they were, at the expiration of three days, to be considered as having re- 
signed ; and requesting the Legislature in that event, to appoint other officers. 
General Maxwell added, " this is a step they are extremely unwilling to 
take; but is such, as I make no doubt, they will all take. Nothing but ne- 
cessity, their not being able to support themselves in time to come, and 
being loaded with debts contracted in time past, would have induced them to 
resign at so critical a juncture," They declared, however, their readiness 
to make every necessary preparation for obeying the marching orders which 
had been given, and to continue their attention to the regiment, until a rea- 
sonable time for the appointment of their successors should elapse. 

General Washington was much afflicted by this intelligence, and sought, 
in vain, by paternal remonstrance, to change their determination. 

The condition of these officers seems to have been one of extreme priva- 
tion. By a resolution of December, 1777, Congress had recommended to 
the several St^es to furnish the officers of their respective quotas, with cer- 
tain clothing, at the prices current, when the army was established, in the 
year 1776, the surplus to be charged to the United States. This resolution 
seems to have been tardily and imperfectly obeyed, notwithstanding the re- 
peated applications of the soldiery. Their pretensions were probably more 
strenuously urged in a memorial presented to the Assembly, on the 27th of 
April, 1779, respecting their pay, subsistence and clothing, and were sup- 
ported by an energetic letter from General Maxwell ; all of which were re- 
lerred to a joint committee of both Houses. That committee reported, 
" That provision had been already agreed upon, as far as was consistent, 
previous to an application to Congress; and that if upon such tipplication, no 
measures are by them adopted in that behalf, it will then be the duty of this 
State, to provide for its quota of troops, in the best manner they can de- 
vise." This resolution was duly approved; but another offered by the same 
committee, that the letter of General Maxwell contains indecent and unde- 
served reflections upon the representatives of the State; and that the same 
be transmitted to Congress, with a proper expression of the disapprobation 
and displeasure of the Legislature, was negatived. 

Moved by the wretchedness of these officers, and the troops they com.- 
manded. Governor Livingston, John Cooper, Andrew Sinnickson, Joseph 
Holmes, Robert Morris, Peter Tallman, Abraham Vannest, Silas Condict, 
and William Churchill Houston, diu-ing the recess of the Legislature, on 
the fifteenth of January, requested the treasurer to pay into the hands of 
Knos Kelsey, commissioner for the purchase of clothing, the sum of seven 
thousand pounds, to be applied in procuring clothes for the officers, agreea- 
lilv to the resolution of Congress, en";a<iin" to replace that sum in the trea- 
sury, provided the Legislature, at their next sitting, should not direct it to be 
credited in the accounts of the treasurer. On the 30th of April, this direction 
was given by the House, with orders to the commissioners to draw the fur- 
ther sum of twenty-five thousand pounds, lor the purpose of furnishing to 
certain officers, clothing to the amount of two hundred pounds, as. the prices 
then were, upon their paying the sum it would have cost, in the year 1776. 
2 N 



282 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

Still there were conditions annexed to these grants, which rendered them 
ineffective 

On the 7ih of May, the remonstrance of the officers was repeated, stating, 
that they were under marching orders, and in immediate want of a necessary 
supply. Upon which the House directed the commissioner to furnish them 
with clothing immediately, to the amount of two hundred pounds, and to pay 
to the soldiers of the brigade, the sum of forty dollars each. This disburse- 
ment removed the obstacle to the march of the brigade. The reason of the 
delay of the State, in supplying her forces, would seem, to be a desire, that 
some uniform rule to this end, should be adopted by Congress, or that the 
confederacy should assume the whole duty to itself. 

XXII. Before the grand expedition against the Indians, was put in motion, 
an enterprise of less extent, was successfully undertaken by Colonel Van 
Schaick, assisted by Lieutenant-colonel Willet, and Major Cochran, and 
between five and six hundred men, from Fort Schuyler, against the Onon- 
dago settlements. Most of the Indians escaped — but twelve were killed, and 
thirty-four made prisoners, including one white man. The houses and pro- 
visions were burned, the country devastated, and the horses and stock slain. 
The party returned without the loss of a man; and the colonel received 
thanks of Congress. 

The largest division of the western army reached Wyoming, under Gene- 
ral Sullivan, in the month of June. Its further progress was delayed for 
want of provisions and military stores, until the last of July. In the mean 
while, the enemy was not inactive. Brandt, at the head of some whites and 
Indians, fell upon the frontiers of New York, murdered many' of the inha- 
bitants, carried others into captivity, and burned and destroyed several 
houses. He was pursued by one hundred and fifty militia, whom he drew 
into an ambuscade and entirely defeated. A few days afterwards. Captain 
M'Donald, at the head of another small party, of whom a third were British, 
took a small fort on the west branch of the Susquehanna, making the gar- 
rison, of thirty men, prisoners of war; the women and children, contrary 
to the usages of the savages, were permitted to retire into the settled 
country. 

Another body of troops designed to compose a part of the western army, 
had passed the winter on the Mohawk, and early in the season, under the 
command of General Clinton, marched to Lake Otsego, and thence de- 
scending the Susquehanna, united with the main division on the 22d of 
August. The whole army, amounting to five thousand men, proceeded, by 
the Cayuga, into the heart of the Indian country. The Indians, apprized of 
its appi'oach, selected and fortified the ground on which to fight a general 
action, with no inconsiderable skill. About a mile in front of Newton, and 
some miles above Chemung, they collected their whole force, consisting, by 
the computation of Sullivan, of fifteen hundred, but by their own, of eight 
hundred men, only ; with whom were united five companies of whites, com- 
prising two hundred men. They were commanded by the two Butlers, Grey, 
Johnston, M'Donald, and Brandt. A breastwork had been constructed about 
half a mile in length, upon a piece of rising ground, having its flank and 
rear covered by the river, and in other respects, naturally strengthened. 

About eleven in the morning of the 29th of August, this work was dis- 
covered by Major Par, of the advance rifle corps. General Hand formed 
his light infantry in a wood a few hundred yards from the enemy, and 
awaited the arrival of the main body ; skirmishing with parties of Indians, 
who endeavoured to entice them to an incautious pursuit. Conjecturing that 
the hills on his right, were occupied by the enemy, Sullivan ordered General 
Poor, supported by General Clinton, to possess himself of them, to turn the 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 283 

left and gain the rear of the breastwork, while Hand and Maxwell should 
attack in front. This mancBUvre was speedily decisive. The savages find- 
ing their flank uncovered, abandoned their works, and crossing the river, 
fled with the utmost precipitation. An unavailing pursuit was kept up for a 
few miles. Their ascertained loss was inconsiderable ; but they were so 
intimidated, that they abandoned all idea of further resistance. The Ame- 
rican loss did not exceed thirty. Sullivan penetrated into the heart of the 
country ; which his parties scoured and laid waste in every direction. Every 
lake, river, and creek, was traced for villages, and no vestige of human in- 
dustry was spared. Houses, cornfields, gardens, and fruit-trees, shared one 
common fate ; the commanding general strictly executing the severe, but 
necessary orders he had received, to render the country completely unin- 
habitable, and thus to compel the Indians to remove to a greater distance. 
Eighteen villages, a number of detached buildings, one hundred and sixty 
thousand bushels of corn, and all those fruits and vegetables which conduce 
to the comfort and subsistence of man, were utterly destroyed. Five weeks 
were spent in this work of devastation. The want of provisions, alone, 
prevented Sullivan from endeavouring to render the campaign more decisive, 
by an attempt on the British post at Niagara. 

XXIII. While Sullivan laid waste the country on the Susquehanna, ano- 
ther expedition, under Colonel Broadhead, ascended the Allegheny, against 
the Mingo, Muncey, and Seneca tribes. With more than six hundred men, 
he advanced two hundred miles up that stream, and destroyed the villages 
and cornfields on its head branches, with their wretched proprietors. 

This chastisement of the savages was most savage, and is defensible, only, 
on the ground, that experience had taught, that nothing short of such seve- 
rity could deter them from the yearly, perhaps, the more frequent, repetition 
of the scenes at Wyoming. Although the object of the campaign was not 
thoroughly obtained by terminating the Indian war, the Indians were intimi- 
dated; they became less terrible, their excursions less formidable, and less 
frequent. 

XXIV. In the following year, (1780) the Cherokees, forgetting a severe 
chastisement given them in 1776, made an excursion into Ninet5^-Six dis- 
trict, South Carolina, massacred some families and burned several houses. 
General Pickens, with three hundred and sixty-four horsemen, penetrated 
the recesses of their country; killed forty of the enemy, look several pri- 
soners, and burned thirteen towns and villages. Of his party, one only was 
killed and two were wounded. No expedition against the Indians was more 
rapid and decisive than this. The whiles did not expend three rounds of 
ammunition; and yet, of the Indians who made themselves visible, three only 
escaped. A new and successful mode of fighting was introduced; the horse- 
men charging with reliance only upon their swords. The vanquished hum- 
bly sued for peace, which was granted, on condition, that they would deliver 
up all British emissaries, who should stimulate them to A'ar. 

XXV. These severe inflictions upon the Indian tribes, were the rigid 
exactions of duty; but we are required to record a massacre by the whites, 
that may be a pendant for that of V\^yoming. An English poet* has, 
gracefully, sung the sufferings in the last, but no bard has described the hor- 
rors of the slaughter at Muskingum. At this place some Indian converts of 
the Moravians had settled. Under the care of pious missionaries, they had 
been formed into some degree of civil and religious order, and had adopted 
the faith, that " The Great Being did not make men to destroy men, but to 
love and assist each other." Upon this principle, they advised other tribes 

* Campbell. 



284 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

to desist from war: and from humanity, they premonished the whites, from 
time to time, of the dangers that threatened them. Provoked by this inter- 
ference, the hostile Indians removed their pacific countrymen to the banks 
of the Sandusky. They obtained permission, however, in the fall of the 
year, to return and collect the crops they had planted. The whites, on the 
Monongaliela, either through misconception or malice, reported, that their 
designs were inimical; and without due inquiry, one hundred and sixty 
crossed the Ohio, and slaughtered these inoffensive people, who fell mar- 
tyrs to their principles of non-resistance. Not less than ninety were thus 
immolated. 

Retribution, however, was not long delayed. Soon after this unprovoked 
butchery, a party of whites set out with the purpose of destroying the Indian 
towns on the Sandusky. But being encountered by the Delawares and 
Wyandots, they were repelled, with the loss of several prisoners, among 
whom, were Colonel Crawford and his son-in-law. All were offered up to the 
manes which haunted the Moravian towns of the Muskingum. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 285 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Comprising a View of the War in the South. — I. Inert state of the Country in 1770. 
— II. The British Government adopts views of partial Conquest. — III. Georgia 
overrun — and Charleston threatened — Unsuccessful Siege of Savannah. — IV. Sir 
Henry Clinton subdues South Carolina. — V. His measures induce Revolt. — VI. 
General Gates assumes command of the Southern Army — Battle of Camden. — 
VII. Battle of King's Mountain. — VIII. Cornwallis reinforced. — IX. General 
Greene appointed to the Southern Department — Battle of the Cowpens — Retreat 
to Virginia. — X. Cornwallis retires, is pursued — Battle of Guilford Court House. 
— XI. Cornwallis marches for Petersburg — Greene for South Carolina — Expedi- 
tion of Arnold against Virginia — Preparations against him — Defence of Virginia 
entrusted to La Fayette — Cornwallis takes command of the British Forces in Vir- 
ginia. — XII. Progress of Greene in recovering the Southern States. — XIII. Suf- 
ferings of the Inhabitants. 

I. The exertions made by the United States, though not beyond their 
strength, if put forth with system and discretion, were irregular and violent, 
and followed by that syncope which invariably attends undue efforts. A 
general langour had diffused itself through all the civil departments. The 
alliance with France was .supposed to have secured independence, and a con- 
fidence that the enemy could not longer prosecute the war with success, pre- 
vented that activity which was painful to exert. The wretched policy of 
short enlistments had been pursued, until correction was impossible. The 
enthusiasm, which, at the commencement of the contest had overcome all 
personal considerations, had subsided, and was succeeded by views more 
particularly selfish, and more durable. From these considerations, it was 
not until the 23d January, 1779, that Congress authorized the re-enlistment 
of the army ; nor until the 9th March, that requisition was made upon the 
States, for their respective quotas. The bounty offered, being insuflicient to 
bring the men into the field, resort was again had to the special authority of 
the States. Thus, at a season when the recruits should have been in camp, 
ihey were yet to be obtained; and the public service was exposed to great 
hazard from the delay. At this period, too, several circumstances conspired 
to foment pernicious divisions and factions in Congress, which greater danger 
might have prevented or suppressed. 

These dissentions, the removal of individuals of the highest infllience, 
from the national councils to offices in the state governments ; t\\e deprecia- 
tion of the paper currency ; the destructive spirit of speculation caused by 
imaginary gain from this depreciation ; a general laxity of principles, the in- 
separable concomitant of civil war and revolution ; the indisposition to sacri- 
fice personal convenience for the public weal ; were rocks, on which the ves- 
sel of state might yet .split, and which required the care of those whom 
influence and patriotism placed at the helm.* 

The knowledge of these facts, deeply affected the mind of the commander- 
in-chief of the American armies, and gave him many apprehensions for the 
final result of the contest. They, also, had probably great effect upon the 
British commissioners ; who inferred that the people, worn out by the com- 
plicated calamities of the struggle, desired an accommodation on the terms 
proposed by the ministry, and that the increasing difficulties necessarily re- 
sulting from the failure of public credit, would induce them to desert Con- 

* Letter of Washington, Marshall, iv. p. (i. 



286 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. . 

gress, or compel that body to accede to those terms. These opinions, com- 
municated to their government, undoubtedly continued to protract the contest. 

II. The British government, confident of complete conquest, had prose- 
cuted the war with a view -to the recovery of the whole of its dominions in 
America. But the reverses they had sustained, the alliance with France, 
and the firmness with which the contest had been maintained, together with 
the rejection of the late pacific propositions, induced a change in the plan of 
operations. The islands about New York were retained, whilst their arms 
were principally directed against the southern States, which were less capable 
'of resistance, and on which a considerable impression might certainly be 
made, and probably extended northward ; but, however this might be, the 
possession of several States, at the negotiation for general peace, would afford 
plausible ground for claiming to retain them. Of the succeeding campaigns, 
therefore, the most active and interesting operations were in the southern 
country. But our limits and our purpose, forbid us to do more than shortly 
to advert to them. 

III. Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, who sailed from New York, in Decem- 
ber, 1777, arrived soon after at Savannah, and, in despite of the opposing 
efforts of General Howe, captured that place; and, aided by General Prevost, 
who advanced from Florida, reduced without difficulty, the whole state of 
Georgia ; the inhabitants flocking in numbers to the royal standard. This 
rapid progress of the enemy calling for more efficient measures of resistance, 
General Lincoln was appointed to the southern command, in September, 
1778. Previously, considerable reinforcements had' been ordered from the 
northern army, particularly in the cavalry regiments of Bland, and Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Washington. Their march was, however, some time delayed, 
in consequence of the invasion of Virginia, in May, by Brigadier-general 
Matthews. His expedition, undertaken principally with the view of destroy- 
ing the stores which had been laid up on the waters of that State, was but too 
successful ; he having destroyed, in a kw v/eeks, public and private pro- 
perty of immense value, at Norfolk, Portsmouth, Gosport, and the adjacent 
country. 

The greatest force under Lincoln, assembled and armed with much diffi- 
culty, amounted to three thousand six hundred and thirty-nine, of whom two 
thousand four hundred and twenty eight, rank and file, were effectives ; one- 
half, however, were militia; whilst Prevost commanded three thousand ef- 
fective regulars, aided by many provincials. Lincoln proceeded from Purys- 
burg, into Georgia; and, in the mean time, Provost marched on Charleston 
with two thousand four hundred regular troops, and a considerable body of 
Indians, driving before him General Moultrie, at the head of an inferior 
force. He summoned the town, on the 11th of May, 1779, but was com- 
pelled soon after, to raise the siege, by the approach of Lincoln, and to retire 
to the islands on the coast. On the 20th of June, a sharp but indecisive affair 
took place between twelve hundred Americans and seven hundred British, at 
Stono Ferry, in which the former lost one hundred and fifty men, with the 
much lamented Colonel Roberts. Prevost, retreating from island to island, 
soon after returned to Port Royal and Savannah, his troops enriched by the 
indiscriminate plunder they had made. 

The Count D'Estaing, after a successful cruise to the West Indies, pur^ 
suant to the instructions of his court, and the solicitations of Lincoln and the 
authorities of South Carolina, arrived (September 1st,) on the coast of 
Georgia. He summoned Savannah, but suffered himself to be amused by 
Prevost for several days, until the latter had called in his troops, and was 
fully prepared for defence. Being joined by Lincoln, a formal siege was 
commenced ; the ground being broken on the 23d of the month, and the ad- 




I 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 287 

varices made with every prospect of final success. The impatience of the 
French commander and his officers, excited by the dangers of the hurricane 
season, induced an assault on the 9th of October, with thirty-five hundred 
French, and six hundred continental troops; which, though bravely made, 
was bravely and successfully repelled. Count D'Estaing and Count Pulaski, 
were both wounded, — the former slightly, the latter mortally. The loss of 
the French was six hundred and thirty-seven, and of the Americans two hun- 
dred, men. The militia returned to their homes, and the French fleet and 
army to the West Indies. This visit of the fleet, however, disconcerted the 
British plans for the campaign, and occasioned the withdrawal of their army 
from Rhode Island; and their efforts in the south resulted in the possession 
of Savannah merely. 

IV. Upon intelligence of these events, both parties sought to strengthen 
their respective forces, in the south. A large detachment, under Sir Henry 
Clinton, in person, sailed from New York, late in December, leaving the 
defence of that city to General Knyphausen; whilst Washington despatched 
southward, the troops of North Carolina, the new levies of Virginia, the rear 
division of Bland's and Baylor's cavalry, and afterwards, the Virginia line. 
In his passage. Sir Henry encountered a storm, which endamaged him so 
much as to require a reinforcement and supplies from New York. Charles- 
ton was his primary object, against which he proceeded from Savannah, on 
the 10th of February, 1780; appi-oaching by way of the islands with great 
caution. On the first of April, he broke ground, within eight hundred 
yards of the American works, and on the 12th of May, the town capitulated. 
General Lincoln and his army, consisting of tv^o thousand effectives, be- 
came prisoners. During the progress of the expedition, several sharp en- 
counters took place, between small parties. The cavalry under General 
Huger, stationed about thirty miles above Charleston, was attacked and 
routed by Colonel Tarleton and Major Ferguson, on the morning of the 14th 
of April, and four hundred horses captured ; and on the 7th of May, the 
remnant collected under Colonel White, of New Jersey, at Monk's Corner, 
was again charged and dispersed by the same active British officei's. 

Having possession of the capital. Sir Henry employed himself in reducing 
the country ; despatching parties in various directions over it. The inhabi- 
tants vied with each other in devotion to the royal cause, and many, even of 
the citizens of Charleston, enlisted under the royal banners. In these opera- 
tions, the only circumstance meriting special notice, was the surprise and 
defeat of Colonel Burford, by Colonel Tarleton. Burford commanded a re- 
giment of new levies from Virginia, who arrived too late to aid Charleston. 
Upon the surrender of the city, he commenced his retreat, but was overtaken 
by a rapid march of one hundred and five miles in fifty-four hours. No 
quarter was given, and the carnage was horrible; one hundred and thirteen 
were killed on the spot; and one hundred and fifty so badly wounded, that 
they could not be removed. So confident was Sir Henry of having conquer- 
ed the State, that he proclaimed the pacification, and released from their 
parole his militia prisoners, those taken in Charleston and Fort Moultrie 
excepted; and with the most sanguine hope of the recovery of all the 
•southern States, he embarked for New York, on the 5th of June, leaving in 
South Carolina, about four thousand regulars, under Lord Cornwallis. 

V. The parole of the American prisoners recognised their character of 
aliens to Great Britain; their release fi-om it, avowedly, restored, without 
their assent, their relation of subjects; and its effect was to compel thereto 
assume arms against their countrymen. Had they been suffered to enjoy 
the quiet of non-combatants, they might have remained unarmed ; but they 
would not submit to the degradation of fighting the battles of the oppressor. 



288 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The proclamation sowed the teeth of the hydra, and armed men sprang up 
in every direction, to resist the British power. 

The Delaware and Maryland lines, with the first regiment of artillery, 
were ordered to South Carolina, under General de Kalb; and exertions 
were made in Virginia to increase this force. The exiles from the north 
and west parts of the State, to the number of six hundred, collected under 
Colonel Sumpter, and were soon strengthened by a corps of militia, which 
had been collected by Cornwallis. The latter circumstance demonstrating 
the temper of the people, induced the British general to draw in his outposts, 
and arrange his troops in larger bodies. 

VI. An army of two thousand men was thus formed, of which General 
Gates took the command, on the 25th of July. He, changing the disposi- 
tions of De Kalb, marched by the most direct route towards the enemy's post 
at Camden; and, unhappily, through a barren country, in which his troops 
suffered greatly from famine and unwholesome food. On his way he was 
joined by the North Carolina militia, under General Caswell, and some 
troops commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Peterfield. He arrived on the 13th 
of August, at Clermont, or Rugely's Mills, whence Lord Rawdon withdrew at 
his approach. And, here, the militia from Virginia, under General Stevens, 
also came to his aid. With a force, now, of about four thousand men, he 
marched rapidly, in the hope of surprising 'Camden. At the very hour of 
his departure from Clermont, Lord Cornwallis left Camden, with the design 
of striking him a sudden blow ; and, to their mutual surprise, the hostile 
armies encountered in the woods, at about two o'clock of the morning of the 
16th of August. The ground did not permit Gates to avail himself of his 
superiority in numbers, and Cornwallis restrained the ardour of his troops, 
that he might, with the light, better direct their disciplined valour. With 
the dawn the action commenced. The militia shamefully fled, carrying 
Gates with them, from the field of battle, in his endeavours to rally them. 
De Kalb, at the head of the continental troops, maintained the fight with 
some success, until overpowered by numbers, they were broken, and he fell 
under eleven mortal wounds. The Americans lost the greater part of their 
baggage, stores, and artillery ; and by the estimate of the enemy, eight hun- 
dred men killed, and one thousand prisoners. Previous to the battle, a party 
was detached under Lieutenant-colonel Woolford, of Maryland, to unite with 
Sumpter, to intercept an escort of stores, for the garrison at Camden. This 
enterprise was successful ; but the party was, afterwards, surprised by Tarle- 
ton, near the Catawba Ford, and was beaten and dispersed with the loss of 
between three and four hundred men, killed and wounded. 

Notwithstanding the victory. Lord Cornwallis was unable to proceed 
against North Carolina, and to prosecute the career which he had pro- 
posed; his troops being enfeebled by sickness, and the hostile disposition 
of the citizens rendering it unsafe to remove any considerable portion of 
them from the State. The disastei's, however, of the American arras, chilled 
the spirit of resistance ; yet it was kept alive by the exertions of those able 
partisans, Sumpter and Marion, and was again reanimated, by the severity 
with which Cornwallis punished, as traitors, the militia who deserted his 
standard — producing but a fiercer resistance, and a capacity to brave and to 
bear the extremity of suffering. But the designs of the British commtrnder 
were only suspended. He resumed them by despatching Major Ferguson 
into the western part of North Carolina, to rouse and organize the tory in- 
habitants; whilst he marched himself, late in September, to Charlotte, where 
he proposed to await the result of Ferguson's endeavours. That officer, 
attempting to intercept Colonel Clarke of Georgia, in his retreat from an 
unsuccessful attack upon Augusta, removed nea,rer to the mountains, where 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 289 

a short delay proved fatal to him. Several corps of hardy mountaineers, 
from the v^^estern parts of Virginia and North Carolina, under Colonels 
Campbell, Cleaveland, Shelby, and Servier, moved upon him with great cele- 
rity, whilst Colonels Williams, Tracy, and Brannan, from South Carolina, ap- 
proached the same point. These forces, together three thousand strong, 
united at Gilbertstown. Sixteen hundred of the best mounted marksmen 
pursued Ferguson, who, apprized of their approach, pushed for Charlotte. 
He was overtaken, on the seventh of October, upon King's Mountain, attack- 
ed by three divisions, respectively, commanded by Shelby, Campbell, and 
Cleaveland, against each of whom, in the order of their arrival, he turned 
with considerable effect, the fearful bayonet ; sustaining the conflict for more 
than an hour, and until he received a wound which caused his instant death. 
His second in command instantly demanded quarter. Of the enemy one 
hundred and fifty were killed, as many wounded, and eight hundred and ten 
were made prisoners ; among the latter were one hundred English regulars. 
A valuable and timely prize was obtained in fifteen hundred stand of arms. 
The American loss was inconsiderable, but among the slain was Colonel 
Williams. Ten of the most active tories were selected and hung on the spot, 
in retaliation of the cruelties committed on the whigs at Camden. This mis- 
fortune compelled Cornwallis, who had crossed the Yadkin, to retrace his 
steps as far as Wynnesborough, where he awaited reinforcement. The mi- 
litia were unable to follow up their successful blow for want of provisions. 

VIII. Confident in the progress of Cornwallis, Sir Henry Clinton despatch- 
ed from New York, on the 16th of October, three thousand men, under 
General Leslie, against Virginia, who, after some depredations, were ordered 
to Charleston, by sea, in consequence of the defeat of Ferguson. In the in- 
terim, Cornwallis was employed in suppressing the hostile efforts of the inha- 
bitants, under Marion, Sumpter, Clarke, and Brannan. The most important 
of these affairs was that with Sumpter, on November 20th, at Blackstocks, 
near Tyger river, in which he repulsed Colonel Tarleton, with great loss. 

IX. Gates slowly collected, at Hillsborough, the shattered remains of his 
army defeated at Camden. Being recalled, he delivered the command to 
his successor, General Greene, at Charlotte, on the 2d of December. His 
greatest efforts had not collected more than two thousand men, of whom 
a full third were militia, with which Greene took the field against a supe- 
rior regular force, flushed with successive victories. But even this small 
army he soon divided ; sending Morgan, with a considerable detachment to 
the western extremity of South Carolina, whilst he conducted the main body 
to Hicks's Creek, on the north side of the Pedee river, opposite the Cheraw 
Hills. Cornwallis, who was, again, preparing to proceed against North Caro- 
lina, but could not leave Morgan in his rear, sent Carleton against him, with 
orders to push him to the utmost. Morgan, with an inferior force, consist- 
ing, in a great measure, of militia, firmly awaited his approach, at the Cow- 
pens, three miles from the line separating North and South Carolina. In 
the encounter which ensued, on the 17th of January, 1781, Tarleton was 
defeated with the loss of three hundred killed and wounded, and five hundred 
prisoners, eight hundred muskets, thirty-five baggage wagons, and one hun- 
dred dragoon horses. The impetuosity which had frequently served this 
energetic partisan, was, now, the cause of his defeat. Upon tidings of this 
victory, Greene hastened to join Morgan, directing his own corps to Guilford 
Court-house ; and with great exertions, the prisoners and baggage were se- 
cured. In the pursuit, the British army sacrificed its baggage and every 
thing, not indispensable to action or the existence of the troops, and hung, 
almost constantly, on the American rear. Twice, at the Catawba and the 
Yadkin, the Americans were saved by the rising of the waters after their 

20 



290 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

passage and before the arrival of the British. The two divisions of the Ame- 
rican army united at Guilford Court-house ; but too feeble for combat, the 
commander resolved to continue his retreat across the Dan to Virginia. The 
pursuit was so hotly followed, that as his rear crossed that river, the Bri- 
tish van was in sight.* Thus baffled, Cornwallis retired to Hillsborough, 
with the view of rousing the tories ; whilst Greene immediately recrossed the 
river to mar his labours,t in which he was eminently successful. General 
Pickens and Colonel Lee fell in with three hundred and fifty tories, under 
Colonel Pyle, on their way to the British army, whom they cut to pieces 
amid their shouts of " God save the King," and protestations of loyalty, 
which they uttered in the belief, that the assailants were royalists. 

Cornwallis now retired, yet seeking a proper occasion for battle; some- 
times turning upon the pursuer, and compelling him to retread his steps. At 
length, Greene having received all the reinforcements he had reason to ex- 
pect, resolved to give battle, and marched, for that purpose, to Guilford 
■Court-house. Cornwallis promptly accepted the offer. The American troops 
amounted to four thousand two hundred and sixty-two, of whom one thousand 
four hundred and ninety were regulars ; the British did not exceed two thou- 
sand four hundred veterans. Greene selected his ground, and the issue was 
joined on the 15th of March. After a fierce combat, in which his troops, 
generally, behaved well, Greene was compelled to retreat; but the victory 
was dearly purchased, by the loss of five hundred and thirty-two killed and 
woimded, being much greater than that sustained by the Americans. Greene 
retired but a few miles, and awaited another attack ; but Cornwallis, much 
enfeebled, left his wounded to the care of the loyalists in the neighbourhood, 
and pushed rapidly for Wilmington, where stores had been lodged and sup- 
plies might be obtained. Greene, also, leaving his hospital to the Quakers 
of the vicinage, whom he reminded of his former fraternization, as rapidly 
followed to Ramsay's Mills, on Deep River; where excessive fatigue, the 
want of food, and the release of his militia, compelled him to stop. 

XI. After resting his troops, for about three weeks, at Wilmington, Corn- 
wallis crossed the country to Petersburg. He pondered long before he 
adopted this northern course, when informed that Greene had taken the bold 
resolution to attempt the recovery of the southern country. He concluded, 
at length, that if Lord Rawdon, who commanded there, should have been 
defeated, he might dread his own safety ; but if he had sustained himself, a 
return would be an useless abandonment of the ground he had gained. On 
the departure of Leslie from Virginia, the traitor, Arnold, entered that State, 
(on the 30th of December) and afler committing many depredations, esta- 
blished himself at Portsmouth, on the 20th of January. Against him, 
Washington proposed to send, under La Fayette, twelve hundred men, of 
the New England and New Jersey lines, and, also, to employ the whole 
French fleet from Newport. Two frigates, however, only, sailed, which 
though inoperative in the original design,- captured the Romulus, of fifty 
guns, passing from Charleston to the Chesapeake. Flattered by this success, 
the French admiral despatched a larger expedition to the same point ; which 
encountering a British fleet, under Arbuthnot, near the Capes of Virginia, 
was so much endamaged as to return to Newport, leaving La Fayette at 
Annapolis, where he had repaired for convoy. That general returned to the 
head of Elk, whence he was directed to join the southern army. In the in- 
terim. General Phillips had embarked for the Chesapeake, with two thousand 
men, and arrived at Portsmouth on the 26th of March, 1781. This reinforce- 
ment, giving the British a decisive superiority in Virginia, changed the des- 

* February 14th, 1781. t February 21st, 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 291 

tination of La Fayette, to whom the defence of that State was now committed. 
For near two months, Phi Hips and Arnold prosecuted a predatory war, de- 
stroying immense quantities of tobacco and stores, and marking their course 
by terrible devastations; La Fayette and Steuben, endeavouring in vain to 
stay them, except in the protection of the magazines at Richmond. On the 
20th May, Lord Cornwallis joined Arnold at Petersburg, a few days after the 
death of Phillips, and assumed the command of the whole British force in the 
State. 

Against him, General La Fayette, aided by General Wayne, maintained 
a war of posts for the space of three months ; until Cornwallis, impressed with 
the necessity of providing a strong place of arms in the Chesapeake, select- 
ed Yorktown, as a station for his army, and Gloucester Point, for his fleet, 
to which he retired .with his whole force, increased to seven thousand men. 
From the Virginians, he had derived little aid. They either united with the 
continental army, or, more commonly, kept out of the way of the British. 
Few purchased safety by submission. 

XII. Having thus followed Lord Cornwallis to an hour big with his own 
fate, and that of the war, we return to General Greene, who, with equal 
courage and ability, had turned his arms to the south. A line of posts had 
been constructed by the British from Charleston, by the way of Camden and 
Ninety-Six, to Augusta, in Georgia, the most important point of which was 
Camden. The forts, generally garrisoned by a few regular troops, united 
with the tory militia, were only slightly fortified to resist the sudden at- 
tack of the militia of the neighbouring country, no apprehensions being en- 
tertained of a more formidable enemy. Gi-eene was fully aware of these 
unfavourable circumstances. " I shall take," said he, in a letter to General 
Washington, " every measure to avoid misfortune. But necessity obliges 
me to commit myself to chance, and if any accident should attend me, I trust 
my friends will do justice to my reputation." He detached Lee to unite with 
Marion, and Pickens, to assemble the western militia, and lay siege to Ninety- 
Six; and, marching himself on Camden, encamped before it on the 19th 
April. He manoeuvred several days around the place, and, on the 25th, 
fought a severe battle with Lord Rawdon, at Hobkirk's Hill, with loss to 
either party, of about two hundred and fifty men. Although Greene re- 
treated from the field, he did not abandon his views on Camden, until Rawdon 
was reinforced in the close of the month, by the corps of Colonel Watson, 
amounting to five hundred men. He then withdrew behind Sawney's Creek, 
and declined the battle, which Rawdon again offered. In the mean time, 
Forts Watson and Mottehouse, had surrendered to Marion and Lee, and Fort 
Orange, to Sumpter. Rawdon, abandoning the upper country, retired to 
Monk's Corner, to protect the district around Charleston. Compelled thus to 
comparative inactivity, he beheld the smaller posts reduced, and Seventy-Six 
in imminent danger from the attack of General Greene. From this mortify- 
ing state, he was relieved by the arrival of three regiments from Ireland, 
which again enabled him to overrun the state, and forced Greene to retreat 
before him, by the road to Charlotte. An eager race ensued, in which both 
parties divested themselves of whatever could stay their speed. But at the En- 
noree, Lord Rawdon gave it over as hopeless. The retreat ceased with the 
pursuit, Greene halting on the north side of the Broad river; and, on the 
13th July, he took post on the high hills of Santee. 

Lord Rawdon, still holding his purpose of concentrating his forces in the 
lower country, withdrew his garrison; but soon after availed himself of per- 
mission to return to Europe. The command devolved on Colonel Stuart, 
who advanced to the post near the junction of the Congaree, and Wateree, 
where he was greatly annoyed by the corps of Marion and Washington. After 



292 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

a period of comparative repose, Greene recommenced active operations on 
the 22d of August, and, being strengthened by the militia and state troops of 
South Carolina, followed the British army to Eutaw, where it was reinforced 
by a detachment from Charleston. Greene was here joined by Marion, on 
the 7th September, and resolved to attack the British camp next day. 

The battle of Eutaw Springs, was one of the most obstinate of the war. 
It was fought with about equal numbers, (2000) and ended in equal loss. 
The American killed, wounded, and missing, were estimated at five hundred 
and fifty -five; the British, at six hundred and ninety-three. But the Ame- 
rican dead, owing to an obstinate contest on unfavourable ground, was most 
numerous. Among them, was Lieutenant-colonel Campbell, who fell whilst 
leading the Virginia brigade with trailed arms to a bold and decisive charge, 
which broke the British line. Colonel Washington was taken prisoner, 
having been unable to extricate himself from his horse, which, being killed, 
had fallen upon him. Both parties claimed the victory, but Stuart was 
compelled to withdraw to Monk's Corner, whilst Greene returned to the 
high hills of Santee, where his troops became too much enfeebled by disease, 
for active enterprise. The battle of Eutaw may be considered as closing 
the national war in South Carolina. A few excursions were afterwards 
made by the British, but with no more consequence than the loss of property 
and individual lives. On the 18th November, Greene moved down into the 
lower country, and the British retired with their whole force to the quarter- 
house within Charleston Neck, and the conquerors, who had carried their 
arms to the extent of the State, aimed at nothing more, than to secure them- 
selves. After the capitulation at Yorktown, the British post at Wilmington, 
in North Carolina, was evacuated, and the troops in Georgia, were concen- 
trated in Savannah. 

The labours and exertions of the southern army were highly meritorious, 
but the successful activity of the legion under Lee, claims particular atten- 
tion. It was, from its structure, peculiarly adapted to partisan war; and, 
being detached against the weaker posts of the enemy, had opportunities for 
displaying all its energies. In the extensive sweep from the Santee to Au- 
gusta, which employed, from the 15th April, to the 5th June, 1781, acting 
in junction, first with Marion, afterwards with Pickens, and sometimes alone, 
it constituted the principal force which carried five British posts, and made 
eleven hundred prisoners. At the commencement of the campaign of 1781, 
the British were in force all over the state; at its close, they dui*st scarce 
venture twenty miles from Charleston. At its commencement, the country 
had been completely conquered, and was defended by a regular army, es- 
timated at four thousand men. The inhabitants were so divided, as to ren- 
der it doubtful,, to which, side the majority was attached. At no time did the 
effectual continental force, which General Greene could bring into the field, 
amount to two thousand men ; of whom a considerable portion were raw 
troops. Yet, by a course of judicious movement, bold action, and hardy en- 
terprise, in which he displayed invincible constancy and courage, happily, 
tempered with prudence, he recovered the southern States ; and, at the close 
of the year, civil government was fully established therein. A full portion 
of praise due to these achievements, belong to his troops. They bore every 
hardship and privation with patience and constancy. In his officers, the ge- 
neral was peculiarly happy. Unshackled by those, who, without military 
talent, had, through political influence, obtained high rank, his orders were 
executed by young men of equal spirit and intelligence, formed in the severe 
service of the north. 

XIII. The sufferings occasioned by the ardent struggle for the southern 
States, were not confined to the armies. The inhabitants underwent the se- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. - 293 

verest inflictions. Reciprocal injuries sharpened the resentment of contend- 
ing parties, and armed neighbour against neighbour, in a war of extermi- 
nation. As the parties, alternately, triumphed, opportunity was given to 
either for the exercise of vindictive passions, which derived new virulence 
from the example of the British commanders. When they had overrun 
Georgia, and South Carolina, they considered these States as reannexed to 
the British empire, and manifested a disposition to treat as rebels, all who, 
having submitted, resumed arms. One of their executions, that of Colonel 
Hayne, took place on the 3d of August, whilst Lord Rawdon was in 
Charleston, preparing to sail for Europe. The disposition to retaliate, to the 
full extent of their power, was equally strong in the opposite party. When 
Fort Granby surrendered, the militia attached to the legion, manifested so 
strong a desire to break the capitulation, and to kill the most obnoxious of 
the prisoners, who were tories, as to produce a solemn declaration from 
Greene, that he would put any man to death, who should commit an act so 
atrocious. Lieutenant-colonel Grierson, of the loyal militia, was shot by un- 
known marksmen; and, though a reward of one hundred guineas was of- 
fered for the perpetrator, he was never discovered. " The whole country," 
said the general, " is a continued scene of blood and carnage."* 

* Ramsay, Gordon, Marshall. 



294 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

I. Condition of the Armies in the North. — II. British Expedition against the Forts on 
the North River. — III. Expedition under Tryon, against Connecticut. — IV. Cap- 
ture of Stony Point, by Wayne. — V. Attack of the British Post, on Penobscot 
river. — VI. Major Lee assaults Paules Hook. — VII. Effects of the System of 
Paper Currency. — VIII. Spain declares War against England.— IX. Prospects 
of the Campaign of 1780. — X. The American Army retires into winter quar- 
ters. — XI. Marauding Parties of the Enemy in New Jersey. — XII. The Army 
at Morristown supplied by forced levies of Provisions. — XIII. Washington 
attempts the British Post at Staten Island — XIV. Difficulties arising from the 
want of political power in Congress. — XV. Discontents of the Army — Mutiny of 
the Connecticut troops. — XVI. Knyphausen invades New Jersey — Murder of 
Mrs. Caldwell, and of her Husband.— XVII. Battle of Springfield.— XVUI. La 
Fayette returns to the United States. — XIX. Renewed efforts for the Defence 
of the Country. — XX. Arrival of the French Fleet and Army — Plans consequent 
thereon. — XXI. Treason of Arnold. — XXII. American Army retires into winter 
quarters. — XXIII. European combinations against Great Britain. — XXIV. Revolt 
of the Pennsylvania line — of the Jersey line — Discontent of the Inhabitants of 
New Jersey. — XXV. Gloomy Prospect for the year 1781. — XXVI. Combined 
Operations of the French Fleet and Allied Armies, against Cornwallis — His 
Capture. — XXVII. New London taken and burned by Arnold. — XXVIII. Condi- 
tion of the Country for the Campaign of 1782 — Resolutions of the British Parlia- 
ment in favour of Peace. — XXIX. Malignity of the Tories — Murder of Captain 
Huddy. — XXX. Cessation of Hostilities — Treaty of Peace. — XXXI. Disbanding 
of the Army. — XXXII. Public Entry of Washington to New York — takes leave of 
his Officers — Surrenders his Commission to Congress. 

I. The apathy which we have noticed, as paralyzing the efforts of the 
people of the United States, at the commencement of the year 1779, was 
also visible in the operations of the British government. The ministry had 
lost the hope of reducing all the revolted colonies to obedience, and the de- 
sire of vengeance alone seems to have inspired the plan of the ensuing cam- 
paign, which was publicly announced to be that of rendering the colonies of 
as little avail as possible to their new connexions. With this view the opera- 
tions in the northern Stales were conducted. 

The force under Sir Henry Clinton, at New York, Rhode Island, and 
Virginia, was estimated at more than sixteen thousand men, whose efficiency 
was greatly increased by the co-operation of a powerful fleet, enabling the 
general to concentrate and direct it, at pleasure. The grand total of the 
American army, exclusive of the troops in the south and west, was also 
about sixteen thousand ; of whom three thousand were with Gates, in New 
England — seven thousand with Washington, at Middlebrook, and the residue 
in the Highlands, under M'Dougals, and on the east side of the Hudson, under 
Putnam. 

II. After the destruction of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, in 1777, the 
fortifications for defending the Hudson, were established at West Point, and 
at Stony and Verplank's Points, at King's Ferry, over which the great road 
between the middle and eastern States passed. Against these posts Sir 
Henry Clinton proposed to open the campaign by a brilliant coup de 
main. Washington, notwithstanding the financial embarrassments of the 
country, having always specie to reward spies, soon learned this intention, 
and made his dispositions to repel the attack. On the 30th of May, the 
forces selected for the expedition united with that from Virginia under Mat- 
thews, which arrived on that day, at New York, were conveyed to their 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 295 

destined point, by the fleet under Sir George Collier. The works at Stony- 
Point being incomplete, were abandoned without resistance, and as they 
commanded those on the other bank, the latter were surrendered — Captain 
Armstrong and his garrison becoming prisoners. Both forts were completed 
by the enemy, and put into the best state of defence. 

JII. The contiguity of Connecticut to New York, its extent of coast, the 
supplies which it llirnished to the continental army, and the many cruisers 
which plied in the Sound, rendered that State peculiarly obnoxious to the 
enemy, and provoked an enterprise against it, which was stimulated, also, 
by the hope, that Washington might thereby be drawn from his impregnable 
position on the North river. Governor Tryon, with a force of twenty-six 
hundred men, reached New Haven on the 5th of July, before the inhabitants 
had notice of his approach. The militia hastily assembled, but their opposi- 
tion was feeble. The invaders having seized the town, and destroyed the 
naval and military stoi'es, proceeded on the succeeding day, along the coast 
to the village of Fairfield. They experienced more resistance here, yet the 
spirited conduct of the people served but as a pretext for reducing the town 
to ashes, for the wanton destruction of private property, and for the mal- 
treatment of the unarmed inhabitants of both sexes. From Fairfield, the 
British troops passed over the Sound to Huntingdon Bay, where they remain- 
ed until the 11th, when they recrossed the water to the Cow Pasture, a 
peninsula on the east of Newark. At the same time a larger detachment 
from the main army approached Horse Neck, demonstrating a design of 
penetrating the country in that direction. 

General Parsons, who had been despatched by Washington, to aid and 
direct the efforts of his countrymen, attacked the British with a considerable 
militia force, on the morning of the 12th, so soon as they were in motion, 
and kept up throughout the day an irregular and distant fire, but was unable 
to check their progress. After burning the town of Norwalk, Tryon re- 
turned to Huntingdon Bay, to await supplies and reinforcements ; and was 
thence ordered to White Stone, where, in conference with Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, and Admiral Collier, it was determined to proceed, with inci'eased force 
against New London. But this incursion was postponed by the assault of 
the American army, on the newl}^ captured posts on the North I'iver. 

IV. By an original plan a simultaneous attack on both posts was intend- 
ed ; but it was, subsequently, resolved to proceed against Stony Point, as a 
distinct object. The enterprise was committed to General Wayne, with 
whom Major Lee was associated. He set out at the head of a strong de- 
tachment, at noon, and completed a march of about fourteen miles, by eight 
o'clock of the evening of the 15th of July ; the hour of twelve being fixed for 
the assault. The garrison consisted of six hundred men, commanded by 
Lieutenant-colonel Johnston. The dispositions for the assault were made at 
Spring Steels, one and a-half mile from the fort. Instructions were given to 
attack the works on the right and left flank, at the same moment. The re- 
giments of Febiger and Meiggs, with Major Hull's detachment, formed the 
right column, and Butler's regiment, with two companies under Major Mur- 
phrey, the left. One hundred and fifty volunteers, led by Lieutenant-colonel 
Fleury, and Major Posey, constituted the van of the right ; and one hun- 
dred, under Major Stewart, that of the left. At half past eleven, the two 
columns moved on to the charge, the van of each, with unloaded muskets, 
and fixed bayonets; each preceded by a forlorn hope of twenty men, com- 
manded, respectively, by Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox. The assailants 
reached the marsh, in front of the fort, undiscovered. Both columns rushed 
forward, under a tremendous fire of musketry and grape 'shot, and entered 
Jhe works at the point of the bayonet, and without discharging a single piece, 



296 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

obtained possession of the post. The humanity of the conquerors was not 
less honourable than their courage. Not a single individual suffered after 
resistance had ceased. 

All the troops distinguished themselves, whose situation enabled them so 
to do. Colonel Fleury was the first to enter the fort, and to strike the Bri- 
tish standard. Major Posey mounted the works almost at the same instant, 
and gave the watch word, " The fort is our own" Lieutenants Gibbon and 
Knox executed the service allotted to them, with intrepidity which could not 
be surpassed. Of the party of the former, seventeen were killed or wound- 
ed; and the whole loss was a hundred. Of the garrison, sixty -three were 
killed, and five hundred and forty-three made prisoners ; and a large quan- 
tity of military stores was taken. 

The attack on Fort Fayette, though postponed, to that on Stony Point, 
was not abandoned. Two brigades, under General M'Dougal, had been 
ordered to attempt the works at Verplank's, whei-e Colonel Webster com- 
manded, so soon as Wayne should obtain possession of Stony Point. The 
messenger, directed to apprize M'Dougal of Wayne's success, did not com- 
municate with him on his way to camp; and this error, or negligence, was 
followed by others, which defeated subsequent efforts upon the place, until it 
was relieved by Sir Henry Clinton, who, to save it, relinquished his views 
upon Connecticut. The failure to obtain the fort on the east side of the river, 
diminished the advantages expected from that on the west; and the latter, 
requiring for its defence, a much larger force than could be spared for such 
a purpose, was abandoned. Sir Henry, immediately, resumed possession, 
repaired the fortifications, and regarrisoned it ; and afterward retired to Phi- 
lipsburg. General Washington maintained his post in the Highlands. While 
the armies watched each other, frequent rencounters took place, between 
small parties, which were of no other importance, than to evince the intre- 
pidity, common to the junior officers, who had been formed during the war. ' 
At length. Sir Henry Clinton withdrew into York Island, and employed him- 
self in strengthening its fortifications, that he might direct his principal efforts 
Against the southern States, and compensate for the abstraction of the fleet, 
now sent to relieve Penobscot. 

V. Early in June, Colonel M'Clean from Nova Scotia, with six hundred 
and fifiy men, had taken possession of a defensible piece of ground on the 
Penobscot river, where he commenced such fortifications, as intimated a 
design to maintain the position. This measure threatened a serious diminu- 
tion of the territory of the State of Massachusetts, and great exertions were, 
consequently, made to dislodge him. A considerable naval force, under 
Commodore Saltonstall, carried out, between three and four thousand men, 
commanded by General Lovell, which appeared before the new and unfi- 
nished work, on the 25th of June. Lovell effected a landing, with the loss 
of fifty men killed and wounded ; erected a battery within seven hundred 
and fifty yards of the main work of the enemy, and kept up a warm can- 
nonade for'several days. Making little progress with his militia, he applied, 
through the governor of Massachusetts, to General Gates, commanding at 
Providence, for a reinforcement of four hundred continental troops; and 
Colonel Jackson and his regiment were immediately put in motion. But, on 
the 13th of August, Sir George Collier arrived in the river, with a superior 
naval fonie. Lovell immediately re-embarked his army, so silently as to be 
undiscovered by the garrison, who, in their lines, awaited an expected assault. 
His fleet offered a show of resistance, that the transports might escape up the 
river, and land the troops at a convenient point for further retreat. But the 
British admiral disregarded this stratagem ; the Americans gave way, and a 
general chase and unresisted destruction ensued. The troops landed in a 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 397 

wild desert country, through which they had to explore their way without 
pi'ovision or other necessaries, for more than a hundred miles, before they 
could obtain supplies. 

VI. The successful enterprise at Stony Point, was speedily followed by 
another, which equalled it in boldness of design. After Sir Henry Clinton 
had retired down the Hudson, Major Lee was employed on the west side of 
the river, to watch the proceedings of the British at Paules Hook, and the 
motions of their main army. The careless confidence of the garrison of the 
Hook, suggested to him the idea of surprising and carrying it off. The at- 
tempt was one of much danger, owing to the difficulty of access, and the 
greater difficulty of safe retreat, which, without boats to cross the Hacken- 
sack, must be made for many miles up that river, on the narrow neck between 
it and the Hudson, and could be secured, only, by its celerity. On the night 
of the 18th of August, a detachment from the division of Lord Stirling, in- 
cluding three hundred men designed for the expedition, was ordered down, as 
a foraging party. The American troops having frequently foraged in this 
vicinage, the movement excited no suspicion. Lord Stirling followed, with 
five hundred men, and posted himself at the New Bridge, over the Hacken- 
sack, so as to afford assistance, should it be necessary. The assailing party, 
under Major Lee, having passed the outworks, undiscovered, entered the 
main work at the Hook, at about three o'clock in the morning; and after a 
feeble resistance, with the loss of only two killed and three wounded, made 
one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners, including some officers. Very few of 
the British were killed. Major Sutherland, who commanded the garrison, 
threw himself, with forty or fifty Hessians, into a strong redoubt, which it 
was thought unadvisable to attack, lest the time employed, should endanger 
the retreat ; the guns fired in New York and from the ships in the harbour, 
giving full evidence, that the alarm was complete. Wasting no time, there- 
fore, in destroying works, which could easily be replaced, Lee, expeditiously, 
withdrew with his prisoners. To favour his retreat, boats had been placed 
at Dow's Ferry, on the Hackensack, near the Hook, with instructions to the 
officer in command, to await his arrival, which it was supposed would be 
before morning. Day appearing without the detachment, the officer sup- 
posed the attack had been postponed, and retired with his boats to Newark. 
The column, though greatly fatigued, was compelled to proceed to New 
Bridge, covered by the force of Lord Stirling. By mutual mistake, this 
party, and a party under the tory Colonel, Vanbuskirk, which crossed each 
other, avoided a battle, each supposing, that it was opposed by a superior 
force. 

VII. Among the causes which now operated to paralyze the exertions of 
the Americans, was the depreciation of the paper currency. We have seen 
the extraordinary spectacle of thirteen colonies, and afterwards States, wholly 
independent of each other, carrying on, by themselves and their deputies, a 
burdensome war, against one of the most powerful nations of the earth ; 
raising armies on the most expensive, as well as dangerous, establishment; 
carrying war into a neighbouring State, and equipping an efficient, though 
small navy ; — without commerce and without revenue. These almost mi- 
raculous events were produced, in a great measure, by a paper currency, 
sustained by the ignoi'ance, the confidence, and the patriotism of the people. 

Paper money was a familiar agent throughout the continent ; and south of 
New England, with the exception of South Carolina, its credit had been, ge- 
nerally, well preserved ; the quantity being much Ijelow the demand of com- 
mercial exchange. Its extension, therefore, in the first stages of the revolu- 
tion, was hailed by all classes as a real benefit — as a supply of vital fluid to 
the body politic, which renewed and increased its vigour. The commerce of 
2P 



298 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

the colonies with England was a perpetual drain of their specie; and the busi- 
ness of the continent, always languished for want of a circulating medium. 
At the commencement of the revolution, too, the quantity of coin usually in 
the country, was greatly diminished. When the intercourse with Great 
Britain had ceased, and the credit of the colonists with their merchants was 
discontinued, part of the current gold and silver was absorbed in the payment 
of balances ; part by the operations of the new authorities, particularly, in 
the expedition to Canada; and part by the hoarding of those, who foresaw 
the efiects of the almost boundless extension of the paper system. 

The necessity, therefore, of a circulating medium co-operated, admirably, 
with the patriotism of the people, to facilitate the use of the continental bills 
of credit; and, though, no specific funds were pledged for their redemption, 
and the government had none competent to that object, the occasion and the 
circumstances, gave such confidence in their value, that he was deemed a 
traitor to his country, who manifested a suspicion, that the public faith would 
not be religiously observed. So early as January, 1776, Congress passed a 
resolution on this delicate subject, denouncing against those who should dis- 
courage the circulation of the bills, the penalty of being deemed enemies to 
their country.*' But this delusion could not be complete with thinking men, 
nor permanent with any class. As the quantity of bills daily increased, 
and soon exceeded all demands for commercial purposes, and could neither 
find their way into foreign counti-ies nor be absorbed at home, their value 
became, necessarily, greatly impaired, and their redemption at par imprac- 
ticable. 

Aware that this truth must be betrayed, to all, by its effects. Congress la- 
boured to procrastinate an event, pregnant with difficulties, they could not 
surmount. The emissions were small, as possible, and disbursements so par- 
simonious, as almost to produce the mischief dreaded, from that want of pe- 
cuniary resources which might result from the failure of public credit. The 
first emission was of two millions of dollars, in June, 1775, to which a fur- 
ther million was added, on the 25th of the following month, and on the 29th 
of November, an additional three millions. All these sums were to be re- 
deemed by four annual payments, the first of which, on the last emission, to 
be made, on or before the last day of November, 1783 ; and the quota of 
each colony, was apportioned to the relative number of its inhabitants. These 
sums were supposed to be adequate to defray expenses to the 10th of June, 
1776. But the march of events, soon required further issues, and by the 
22d of July, 1776, they amounted to twenty millions, which, for some months, 
were, almost universally, received at par. Thus, whilst the ministry of 
England were perplexed to raise supplies, the American patriots, gave the 
power of gold to paper rags, by simple volition. 

But it was not in the power of Congress to limit the issue of paper money ; 
the right to emit it pertaining to every State, and being liberally exercised. 
To economise disbursements, to call in by taxes a part of the sums disbiirsed, 
thereby, diminishing the quantity, and increasing the demand, were the only 
possible means of preventing such an accumulation, as infallibly to continue 
its depreciation, until it should, entirely, cease to be a circulating medium. 
But the disbursements were made by too many hands to be economised, and 
the power of taxation was not in Congress. That body could, only, recom- 
mend the imposition of taxes, and their recommendations were, perhaps, the 
less attended to, because, whatever might be the public exigencies, the mea- 
sure was, at all times, unpopular, and could, only, be effectual, by being uni- 
versal. It was earnestly recomftiended, to the several colonies, and after- 

" Marshall. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 299 

wards to the States, to adopt measures to redeem their quotas of the bills of 
credit emitted by Congress ; but such was the danger apprehended from im- 
mediate taxation, that the payment of the first instalment of the first emission, 
was to be postponed until 1779, by which time it was certain the deprecia- 
tion must be considerable. 

Depreciation had made much progress, before the taxation commenced, 
and the remedy was so sparingly applied, as little to affect the disease. It 
is yet a problem unsolved, whether the revolution would have been aided by 
a moi'e liberal resort to taxes. As it was dangerous to attempt the enforce- 
ment of taxation, palliatives were necessarily resorted to. A loan of five 
millions was proposed, at an interest of four per cent. ; the principal to be 
repaid in three years, and for the greater accommodation of lenders, a loan 
office was to be established in each State. No certificate of loan to be less 
than three hundred dollars. A hope was entertained, that the loan would 
fill immediately, and would diminish the bills in circulation ; and that the 
certificates being of large amount, would not be adapted to ordinary use. A 
lottery of four classes was also suggested, by which it was proposed to raise 
one million and five hundred thousand dollars; to draw in a large sum of 
continental money by the sale of the tickets; to retain, with the consent of 
the successful adventurers, the small prizes in each class, for tickets in the 
succeeding one, and the large prizes on loan. These means were wholly 
inadequate to the proposed object. 

The faith of the people, however, supported the paper currency in undi- 
minished reputation, until near the close of the campaign of 1776. Early in 
1777, the depreciation became considerable; but, it was, generally, mistaken 
for the rise of prices ; and in the ignorance of political economy which pre- 
vailed, it was supposed, that such effect might be violently restrained. To this 
end, Congress declared, that, whoever, in any purchase, sale, or barter, 
whatever, should rate gold or silver coin, higher than the continental bills 
of credit, ought to be deemed an enemy to the liberties of the United States, 
and to forfeit the value of the subject, in which such difference was made. 
And by most, {"terhaps, by all of the States, the paper bills were made a tender 
in payment of debts. But, a more effective and wise measure was, at the 
same time, devised. The States were urged, respectively, to support the 
credit of the Union, by a direct engagement to redeem these bills at the times 
fixed by Congress, and, immediately, to impose such taxes as the people were 
in condition to pay. They were assured, that, for all moneys thus raised, 
each State should receive a credit, with the United States, in its quota of the 
public debt, that had been apportioned to them. At the same time, a further 
loan of two millions was voted. The recommendations of Congress were 
complied with. The situation of the south, in these circumstances, required 
additional measures for relief. That portion of the country had been supplied 
by British merchants and British capital. The colonial traders had credit with 
such merchants ; and large balances were annually owing, and in the hands 
of the planters, who, generally, preserved a credit to the value of their crops. 
To compel the American merchant to receive his debts, in paper, whilst he 
was bound to pay, in specie, would have been highly unjust ; and he was, 
therefore, authorized to pay those due from him, into the public treasury , 
and was assured, that he should be, thereby, discharged from the claims of 
his creditor. 

But neither loans nor taxes could be obtained in sufficient sums to prevent 
recourse to new issues of bills, and with every issue their value continued to 
decrease. Congress, in 1779, made a second effort to limit the flood of 
paper. They required of the States, on the first of January,, to pay into the 
continental treasury, their respective quotas of fifteen millions for the service 



aOO HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of that year, and of six millions, annually, from and after the year 1779, as 
a fund for reducing their early emissions and loans; and on the 21st of May, 
they further required, within the current year, forty-five millions of dollars. 
Large as these requisitions nominally were, they were wholly insulTicient. 
The depreciation increased so rapidly as to defy all calculation. Towards 
the close of 1777, it was two or three for one — in 1778, five or six for one — 
in 1779, twenty-eight for one — in 1780, sixty for one, .in the first half of the 
year ; and near its close, it fell to one hundred and fifty for one. In some few 
places it continued in circulation for the first four or five months of 1781 ; but, 
in this, last period, many would not take it at any rate, whilst others received 
it at a depreciation of several hundred for one. 

To still the clamour which prevailed against these excessive issues. Con- 
gress resolved, in October, 1779, that no further sum should be issued, on 
any account, than would increase the circulation to two hundred , millions, 
and no greater part of the sum, wanting to that amount, than was indis- 
pensable for the public exigencies, until adequate supplies could be otherwise 
obtained, for which reliance was placed upon the States. But Congress 
could not maintain its resolution;' and soon completed the sum they had 
fixed as the maximum. At length, their paper became absolutely worthless ; 
and they were almost wholly deprived of pecuniary means. Yet an effort 
was made to revive the credit of their bills, by a new issue under State gua- 
rantees — the old to be called in by taxes, and burned; and one dollar in 
new, to be emitted for every twenty of the old. Of the ten millions thus to 
be substituted, four were to be subject to the orders of Congress, and the re- 
mainder to that of the several States — the whole to be redeemable in specie, 
within six years; to bear an interest at the rate of five per cent., to be paid, 
also, in specie, at the redemption of the bills, or at the election of the owner, 
annually, in bills of exchange, on the American commissioners in Europe. 
This plan was soon found impracticable, and public credit being at the lowest 
ebb, the array was well nigh dissolved, and the country opened in every, 
direction, to British excursions. 

The crisis was a trying one, but it was happily past. New resources 
were discovered, and the war carried on with vigour. Much specie was 
about this time (1781) introduced into the United States, by trade with. the 
French and Spanish West Indies, and by means of the French army in 
Rhode Island. The King of France gave the United States a subsidy of 
six millions of livres, and became their security for ten millions more, bor- 
rowed by them in the Netherlands. A regular system of finance was in- 
troduced by Mr. Robert Morris, who was placed at its head, and whose indi- 
vidual credit was liberally and advantageously used. The Bank of North 
America was established, and thus Congi-ess and the country were extricated 
from the most imminent peril. By the scale of depreciation", the war was 
carried on for almost five years, for little more than a million sterling, and 
two hundred millions of paper dollars, were made redeemable by five silver 
ones. 

New Jersey seems to have used her right of making money, with great 
moderation, and that dread of debt, which has peculiarly characterized 
her. By the act of June 8th, 1779, she called in all the bills of credit issued • 
during her colonial state ; and directed, that all not presented before the fif§t ' 
of January, 1780, should be irredeemable. The provincial conventions, be- 
fore the constitution of the State,, authorized the issue of sixty thousand 
pounds, and provided for its extinction by taxation. This debt was adopted 
by the State. Under the requisition of Congress, March, 1780, the State ; 
authorized the issue of two hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds, pay- 
able with interest in yearly instalments, and the whole within six years. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 301 

But of this sum the whole was not emitted. On the 9th of January, 1781, 
a further emission of thirty thousand pounds was authorized, also, redeema- 
ble within six years. This sum was in small bills. And there were, pro- 
bably, some other inconsiderable issues. But for the redemption of all, 
taxes were duly and timely laid. The State bills ceased to be a tender under 
the act of June 13th, 1781 ; and the continental bills, by an act of the 22d 
of the same month. The taxes were, during the depreciation, nominally 
enormous ; and the amounts proposed to be raised at different times, strong- 
ly mark the course of depreciation. By a resolution of November, 1778, 
the Assembly proposed to raise one hundred thousand pounds, for the sup- 
port of the government during the succeeding year; of which sum they pro- 
posed to pay to the governor one thousand pounds, and to Robert Morris, 
chief-justice, five hundred pounds, and the salaries of the other officei-s pro- 
portionately. And in November 20th, 1779, they resolved to raise nine 
millions of dollars, by the first of October following; and appropriated for 
the salary of the governor, seven thousand pounds, and for that of David 
Brearly, chief-justice, five thousand, and to the other officers propor- 
tionably. 

During the war, there were large amounts of property belonging to the 
tories, confiscated; but they proved of little avail to the public treasury. 
The sales were generally made on credit, and by the progressive deprecia- 
tion, what might have been dear at the time of purchase, became dog cheap 
at the time of payment. • , - 

The most extensive evils resulted from rnaking the paper bills a tender in 
payment of debts contracted to be payable in gold and silver. They fell chiefly 
on those who lived upon fixed incomes, or possessed capitals, previously accu- 
mulated or invested. The annuitant, the widow, the heir, and tlie legatee, in 
receiving the nominal amount of their respective interests, did not, in ndany 
cases, receive a cent in the dollar. In a vast number of instances, the earn- 
ings of a long life of care and diligence, were wrested from their possessors. 
But the subject was not one of unmixed evil. It was generally useful to the 
poor ; to those who hoarded not, but lived to-day upon the labour of yester- 
day or to-morrow. Whilst the paper money was current, none were idle 
from want of employment. Expending their money as fast as they received 
it, they always had its full value. No Agrarian law could have more effec- 
tually equalized the conditions of the State, than the tender of these depre- 
ciating bills. The poor became rich, the rich poor. All that the money lost 
ill value was taken from the capitalists; but the active and industrious were 
safe, in conforming the price of their services to the state of the depreciation. 
The debtor who possessed property of any kind, could easily extinguish his 
debts. Every thing useful found a ready purchaser. The price of a bul- 
lock to-day would pay that of a slave purchased a few months before — that 
of a good horse, the value of an improved plantation. 

The worst evil of the paper system was its demoralizing effect upon 
the community. The nature of obligations was so far changed, that the 
honest man, only, withheld the payment of his debts. A flood of specula- 
tion and fraud deluged the land, and found its way into its courts and its 
legislative halls, overwhelming truth, honour and justice.* 

VIII. The summer of 1779 passed away, without furnishing, in America, 
any event which could have a material influence on the issue of the war. 
But it was otherwise in Europe, where a coalition, long looked for, and from 
which arose sanguine expectations, was effected. Spain resolved to unite 
with F'rancc, and to make, with her, common cause against Great Britain. 

* Ramsay. 



II 



•'^l 



302 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

These two powers, it was believed, would be able to obtain complete as- 
cendency at sea, and their fleets to maintain their superiority on the 
American coast, as well as in Europe. Yet, the United States were not 
acknowledged by Spain, as sovereign and independent ; nor was their min- 
ister, Mr. Jay, who had been, some time before, sent to the Spanish court, 
accredited. 

IX. As the campaign drew towards a close, without realizing the hope 
which had been cherished, that the war would terminate with it. General 
Washington laboured to induce the civil authorities to prepare in season for 
the ensuing campaign, exhibiting the alarming fact, that between October, 1779, 
and the last of June, of the coming year, the terms of service of near one-half 
of the soldiers of the army would expire. But it was impossible to remove 
the obstacles to prompt and united action. They were inherent in the system 
of confederation, in the novelty and untried circumstances of the States, and 
in that selfishness which had succeeded the first glow of patriotic indignation. 
Thus, the resolutions of Congress, relating to the military establishment, 
were not passed until the 9th of February, 1780; and did not require the 
troops to rendezvous before the first of April. The necessary acts of the 
State Legislatures, to give effect to these resolutions, were slow and irre- 
gular, uncertain and unseasonable ; and the army could not possess that 
consistency and stability, which a better system would have given. 

X. The season for active operations, in a northern climate, having ceased, 
the army retired into winter quarters. It was divided into two divisions — 
the northern under the command of Major-general Heath, had for its princi- 
pal object, the security of West Point, and the posts on the J>Jorth river, as 
low as King's Ferry; subordinate to which, was the protection of the country 
on the Sound, and the Hudson towards King's Bridge. The other and prin- 
cipal division, under Washington, originally proposed to encamp on the 
heights in the rear of the Scotch Plains, New Jersey ; but Morristown was 
subsequently chosen, near which, the army was disposed in huts, late in De- 
cember. From this post detachments were thrown out, towards the North 
river and Staten Island, for the purpose of covering the country from the 
depredations of the enemy. 

XI. During the year 1779, the marauding parties of tories from New York 
and Staten Island, and occasionally, some of the enemy's regular troops, 
made devastating excursions into the State ; the former for the purpose of 
plundering and capturing the unarmed inhabitants, and the latter, under the- 
cover of legitimate war, to do the office of brigands. The enormities thus in- 
flicted, were greatly increased, by associates sheltering themselves in the deep 
pine forests of Monmouth count)^, who, scarce regarding the distinctions of - 
whig and tory, preyed on all within their power. Of these freebooters, Fagan, 
Bourke alias Emmons, Stephen West, Ezekiel Williams, and one Fenton, were 
most noted. Fagan was hunted and killed by a party of militia, under Cap-^ 
tain Benjamin Dennis, who soon after, (January) by the agency of one Van- 
kirk, entrapped Bourke, West, and Williams, whilst setting off from Rock 
Pond, for New York, with their booty. A small party, which lay concealed, 
shot them as they approached their boats. Their bodies, with that of Fagian, 
were hung in chains. Fenton was soon after killed by stratagem. 

Bergen county was particularly exposed to hostile inroads, and the malice ■ 
of the tories. On the 10th of May, about an hundred of the latter approach- 
ed, by the way of New Dock, the settlements of Closter, and carried off 
Cornelius Tallman, Samuel Demarest, Jacob Cole, and George Buskirk; 
killed Cornelius Demarest, wounded Hendrick Demarest, Jeremiah Wester- 
velt, Dow Tallman, and others ; burned the dwellings of Peter Demarest, 
Matthias Bogart, Cornelius Kuyler, Samuel Demarest, together with many 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 303 

out-houses of other persons. They attempted to consume every dwelling 
they entered, but the fire was, in some, extinguished. They wantonly de- 
stroyed the furniture and stock, and abused the women. They were so 
closely pursued in their retreat, by the militia and a few continental troops, 
that they carried off no cattle, although that was a principal object of the in- 
cursion. This party belonged to the provincial corps of Colonel Vanbuskirk, 
an active and violent tory partisan, and consisted of former residents of 
Closter and Tappan, and some negroes. 

On the 17th of May, a detachment of one thousand men, under that com- 
mander in person, swept over the county, marking their course with desola- 
tion and slaughter. Not a house within their reach, belonging to a whig 
inhabitant, escaped. Mr. Abraham Allen, and Mr. George Campbell, were 
barbarously murdered ; Mr. Joost Zabriskie was stabbed in fifteen places, 
and two negro women were shot down, whilst endeavouring to drive off their 
master's cattle. The party avoided the vengeance of the militia by a speedy 
retreat with their plunder. 

On the 9th of June, a party of. more than fifty tories, from New York, 
landed in Monmouth county, and reached Tinton Falls undiscovered. They 
surprised and carried off Colonel Hendrickson, Lieutenant-colonel Wikoff, 
Captains Shad wick and Mr. Knight, with several privates of the militia, and 
drove away a few sheep and horned cattle. They were assailed by about 
thirty militia, whom they repelled, with the loss of two killed and ten 
wounded. 

About the first of August, the house of Mr. Thomas Farr, near Cross- 
>wicks Baptist Church, was attacked by several of the forest ruffians. The 
family consisted of himself, wife and daughter. The assailants broke into 
the dwelling, mortally wounded Mr. Farr, and slew his wife outright. The 
daughter escaped to the house of a neighbour ; and the alarmed villains fled 
\yithout plunder. 

On the 18th of October, a party of the enemy's light dragoons landed at 
Sandy Point, above Amboy, and proceeding to Bound Brook, burned some 
stores ; thence by Van Veighton's Bridge, where they destroyed a number 
of boats, they marched to Somerset Court-house, which they fired. On their 
return, by the way of Brunswick, to South Amboy, they 'were annoyed by 
the militia. Their colonel and commandant, had his horse killed under him, 
and was himself made prisoner. 

XII. Among the evils most dreaded, from the depreciation of the conti- 
nental currency, was the difficulty which must necessarily arise in subsisting 
the army. This calamity was more hastened than deferred, by the parsi- 
mony with which Congress withheld, from the public agents, the money ne- 
cessary for public purposes. Contracts could not be made co-extensive with 
the public wants, and many formed, were not fulfilled. A modification of 
the commissary department, in January, 1780, unfortunately, produced new 
embarrassments, and, at length, the credit of the purveying agents was wholly 
destroyed. Gaunt famine invaded the American camp at Morristown ; and 
the procurement of supplies, by forced levies, became indispensable. 

The commander-in-chief required, from each county in the State of New 
Jersey, a quantity of meat and flour proportioned to its resources, to be for- 
warded to the army within six days. To mitigate the odium of this measure, 
he addressed a circular lettei to the magistrates, stating the urgency of the 
wants of the army, but with assurances, that if voluntary relief could not be 
obtained, a resort to force would be inevitable. To the honour of the State, 
' notwithstanding its exhaustion, the required supphes were instantly furnished. 
Nor is less honour due to the soldiery, for the patient and unrepining forti- 
tude with which they bore their sufferings. In the Highlands, similar wants 



304 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

were relieved by similar measures, which were more than once necessary to 
both camps. Soon after, the energies which the French displayed in the war, 
awakened a corresponding disposition in Congress, and in several States, 
which, in a new system of finance, gave adequate relief; but not until more 
serious evils, as will appear in the progress of the narrative, had developed 
themselves. 

XIII. The isolated position of New York, had been much relied upon by 
the British commander for its defence. But the barrier which the waters 
afforded, was entirely removed, by the severity of the frost in the winter of 
1779, 1780. The ice becoming of such thickness, as to permit the army, 
with its wagons and artillery, to pass without danger, invited the enterprise 
of the commander-in-chief. His judgment and love of fame, alike, prompted 
him to attempt the city ; but, the numerical inferiority of his force, still more 
the feebleness of his troops from the want of food and raiment, were in- 
superable obstacles. He eagerly engaged, however, in such enterprises to 
distress the enemy, as were in his power, without departure from the cau- 
tious system which had proven so beneficial to his country. The British 
troops, on Staten Island, were computed at twelve hundred men. The bridge 
of ice, over the waters, offered him, seemingly, a fair opportunity to surprise 
and bear off this corps, particularly, as the communication between Staten, 
and Long, and York islands, was supposed impracticable. 

The enterprise was confided to General Lord Stirling, with a force of two 
thousand five hundred men. United to a deta(;hment under General Irvine. 
On the night of the 14th of January, 1780, he moved from Dehart's Point; 
and detaching Lieutenant-colonel Willet to Decker's house, where Buskirk's 
regiment of two hundred men was stationed, proceeded, himself, to the water-, 
ing place, where the main body was posted. But the enemy, apprehensive 
of attack, was abundantly vigilant; arid, contrary to the intelligence pre- 
viously received, the communication between the island and New York was 
still open. The object of the expedition, therefore, was unattainable, unless 
at an unjustifiable risk, as a reinforcement from New York might endanger 
the American detachment. Lord Stirling retreated on the morning of the 
17th, sustaining an inconsiderable loss by a charge of cavalry on his rear. 
The excessive cold continuing, the rivers were soon afterwards completely 
blocked up. Even arms of the sea were passable on the ice, and the islands, 
about the mouth of the Hudson, presented to the view, and in effect, an un- 
broken continent. • ■ ' 

XIV. The want of power in Congress, to raise funds, and to enforce its 
decrees of every character, almost deprived it of the semblance of a national 
council. The articles of confederation had been slowly approved, and were 
totally inefficient to protect the many general interests which it embraced* 
The establishment of the army, for the ensuing campaign, was fixed at thirty- 
five thousand two hundred and eleven men, and the measures for recruiting 
it, which preceded, a few days, those for its support, partook of the State 
system, which was entirely predominant. No means were used for raising 
men under the authority of Congress ; and the several States were required 
by draught, or otherwise, to bring into the field, by the first day of April, the 
numbers necessary to their respective quotas. This course gave, unhappily, 
to the American confederacy, the semblance, nay, substantially, the character 
of an alliance of independent nations, whose embassadors assembled in ge- 
neral Congress, to recommend to their respective sovereigns, a plan of ope- 
rations which each might pursue at pleasure. The measures productive of 
great uncertainty and delay, were reprobated by the commander-in-chief in 
vain, and he was doomed to struggle with embarrassments, of which he had 
never ceased to complain. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 305 

Famine was not the only great evil which beset the mihtary service in 
1780. Others, of a serious nature, presented themselves. The pay of an 
officer was reduced, by the depreciation of money, to a pittance wholly in- 
competent to his wants. That of a major-general would not compensate 
an express rider; nor that of the captain, furnish the shoes in which he 
marched. Generally, without fortune, the officers had expended the little 
they possessed, in the first equipments for their station ; and were, now, com- 
pelled to rely on the States, to which they respectively belonged, for such 
clothing as they might furnish ; which was so insufficient and unequal, as to 
pjFoduce extreme dissatisfaction, and great reluctance to remain in service. 

XV. Among the privates there grew out of the very composition of the 
army, causes of disgust, which increased the dissatisfaction flowing from their 
multiplied wants. The first effort, towards the end of the campaign of 1776, 
to enlist troops for the war, had, in some degree, succeeded. In some States, 
especially in Pennsylvania, many recruits had, for small bounties, thus en- 
gaged. Whilst they served without pay, and almost without the necessaries 
of life, they had the mortification to behold their vacant ranks filled by men, 
who enlisted for a few months, only, and, for that short service, received 
high bounties, which, in depreciated money, seemed immense. In their 
chagrin, many were induced to contest their engagements, and others to de- 
sert. A representation of these circumstances, to Congress, produced a com- 
mittee of inquiry, who reported, " that the army was unpaid for five months; 
that it seldom had more than six days' provisions in advance ; and was, on 
several occasions, for sundry successive days, without meat ; that it was des- 
titute of forage ; that the medical department had neither sugar, tea, choco- 
late, wine, or spirituous liquors of any kind ; that every department was with- 
out money, and had not even the shadow of credit left ; and that, the patience 
of the soldiers, borne down by the pressure of complicated sufferings, was on 
the point of being exhausted." In the mean time. Congress resolved, that 
they would make good to the line, and independent corps of the army, the 
depreciation of their pay, by which all the troops should be placed on an 
equal footing. But this benefit, dictated by simple justice, was limited to 
those in actual service, and to those who, after, came into it, engaging for 
three years, or the war. 

These resolutions mitigated, but did not cure the prevailing griefs. A long 
course of suffering had produced some relaxation of discipline, and the dis- 
contents of the soldiery, at length, broke forth into actual mutiny. 

On the 25th of May, two regiments from Connecticut, paraded under arms, 
with a declared resolution to return home, or to obtain subsistence at the point 
of the bayonet. The soldiers of other regiments, though not actually uniting 
with the mutineers, showed no disposition to suppress the mutiny. By great 
exertions of the officers, and the appearance of a neighbouring brigade of 
Pennsylvanians, then commanded by Colonel Stuart, the leaders were se- 
cured, and the troops brought back to their duty. But the temper of the 
soldiers, as apparent in their replies to the remonstrances of their officers, 
was of an alarming nature. They turned a deaf ear to the promises of 
Congress, and demanded some present, substantial, recompense for their ser- 
vices. A paper was found in the brigade, supposed from New York, stimu- 
lating the troops to abandon the cause of their country. 

XVI. The discontents of the army, and the complaints of the people of New 
Jersey, on account of the repeated requisitions upon them, had been commu- 
nicated, with such exaggerations, to the general, commanding in New York, 
as to induce the belief, that the American soldiers were ready to desert their 
standards, and the people of New Jersey to change their government. To 
avail himself of these dispositions, Knyphausen crossed over, on the sixth of 

2 Q 



306 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

June, with about five thousand men, from Staten Island, and landed in the 
night at Eiizabethtown Point. Early next morning he marched towards 
Springfield, by the way of Connecticut Farms, but soon perceived, that the 
temper of the country and army, had been misapprehended. 

Washington had taken measures, in concert with the government of New 
Jersey, to call out the militia, so soon as occasion should require; and, on 
the appearance of the invading army, they assembled with great alacrity. 
On their march to Connecticut Farms, distant five or six miles from Eii- 
zabethtown, the British were harassed by small parties of continental 
troops, whose numbers were augmented, every instant, by the neighbouring 
militia. This resistance manifested, too clearly to be misunderstood, the 
resolution and temper to be encountered in the further progress of the expe- 
dition. A halt was made at the Connecticut Farms, where a spirit of revenge, 
more probably dwelling in the bosom of Governor Tryon, who was present, 
than in that of Knyphausen, who commanded, directed this village, with its 
church and parsonage, to be reduced to ashes. Another enormity was com- 
mitted, at the same place, which aroused great indignation, not only in the 
vicinage, but every where throughout the Union. Mrs. Caldwell, the wife 
of the clergyman, had remained in her house, under the conviction, that her 
presence would protect it from pillage ; and, that her person would not be 
endangered, as in the hope of preserving the Farms, Colonel Dayton, then 
commanding the militia, had determined not to halt in the settlement, but to 
take post, at a narrow pass, on the road leading to Springfield. Whilst sit- 
ting iji the midst of her children, having a sucking infant in her arms, a 
soldier came to the window, and discharged his musket at her. She received 
the ball in her bosom and instantly expired. Ashamed of an act so univer- 
sally execrated, the British contended, that the lady was the victim of a ran- 
dom shot from the militia. Circumstances, however, too strongly negatived 
this assertion, and a pathetic representation of the fact, published by the 
afflicted husband, received universal credit. The husband was distinguished 
for zeal to the American cause, and his fate was very like that of his wife. 
He was, some months after her decease, also shot to death, by a drunken tory, 
or British soldier, at Eiizabethtown Point. 

From the Farms, Knyphausen proceeded towards Springfield. The Jersey 
brigade, under General Maxwell, and the militia of the neighbourhood, who 
assembled in great force, took an advantageous position at that place, with 
the resolution to defend it. Knyphausen halted, and remained on the ground 
all night; but made no effort to dislodge the Americans.. Washington having 
intelligence of this movement, marched his army early in the morning that 
Knyphausen lefl Eiizabethtown Point, and advanced to the Short Hills, in 
the rear of Springfield. An impending battle was avoided by the German 
commander, who, hopeless of success, retired to the Point from which he had 
marched. He was followed by a detachment, which attacked his out-posts, , 
supposing it had to contend with the rear of his army only; but on disco- 
very, that the main body was still at the Point, the pursuers were recalled. 

XVII. At this period, the numerical force of the American army, was ) 
fifty-five hundred and fifty-eight continental troops, of whom, only three f 
thousand were effective. By return of Sir Henry Clinton, from his southern I 
conquests, the British regular force, in New York, and its dependencies, 
was increased to full twelve thousand, which could be employed in the field, 
whilst four thousand militia and refugees performed garrison duty. With 
this disparity of numbers, the British commander might well hope to gather 
important fruits from again invading New Jersey, particularly, by penetrating 
to the American stores near Morristown. Afler maskuig his purpose, and 
dividing the small force of his adversary, by demonstrations against West 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 307 

Point, he marched, on the morning of the 23d of June, from Elizabethtown, 
with five thousand infantry, a large body of cavahy, and from ten to twenty 
field pieces, towards Springfield. 

In anticipation of this enterprise, General Greene had remained at Spring- 
field, with two brigades of continental troops, and the Jersey militia: but in 
apprehension for the posts in the Highlands, the greater pai-t of the army 
had been directed, slowly, towards Pompton. On observing the force which 
had entered the State, Washington halted and detached a brigade to hang on 
its right flank, whilst he prepared himself to support Greene, or otherwise to 
counteract the designs of the enemy. 

At Springfield, Major Lee was advanced on the Vauxhall road, taken by 
the British right column; and Colonel Dayton, on the direct road, pursued 
by the left. As the enemy approached the town, a cannonade commenced, 
i between their van and the American artillery, which had been posted to de- 
\ fend a bridge over the Rahway, guarded by Colonel Angel, with less than 
i two hundred men. Colonel Shreve, with his regiment, occupied a second 
1 bridge, in order to cover the retreat of Angel. Major Lee, with his dra- 
i goons, and the piquets under Captain Walker, supported by Colonel Ogden, 
i defended a bridge on the Vauxhall road. The residue of the continental 
] troops, were drawn up on high ground, in the rear of the town, with the 
: militia on the flanks. 

The right column of the British, advanced on Lee, who resisted their pas- 

I sage until a body of the enemy had forded the river above him, when he 
withdrew his corps to avoid being surrounded. At this instant, their left at- 

; tacked Angel, who maintained his ground with persevering gallantry, until 

compelled, after thirty minutes struggle, to yield to superior numbers; but 

he retired in perfect order, and brought off" his wounded. Shreve, after 

covering Angel's retreat, rejoined his brigade. The English then took pos- 

I session of the town and reduced it to ashes. The stern resistance he had 

; encountered, the gallantry and discipline of the continental troops, their 

! firm countenance displayed in continual skirmishing, and the strength of 

Greene's position, together with tidings, that a formidable fleet and army 

was daily expected from France, deterred Sir Henry from prosecuting his 

: original design. He withdrew that afternoon from Elizabethtown; and in 

I the same night passed over to Staten Island. In this battle the Jersey bri- 

ii gade and militia, bore a conspicuous and honourable part. 

II XVIII. There is, perhaps, no event connected with the American revolu- 
) I tion, of more extraordinary character, than the devotion displayed towards it, 
;; ' by the Marquis de La Fayette. Of high aristocratic descent, rich, and with 
\ ' every prospect of flattering consideration, at the court of his king, he became 
' enamoured of the principles of freedom and equality, in a distant and a 
J foreign land ; and against the remonstrances of his friends, and the disappro- 

i bation of his prince, devoted his life and fortune to their support. At the 

j close of 1776, he communicated to the American commissioners, at Paris, 

his determination to repair to the United States. The encouragement which 

, they gave to his wishes was retracted, when the reverses in New Jersey 

, were known. But his enthusiasm was not to be thus extinguished ; and he 

i replied, that these circumstances rendered even inconsiderable aids more 

' ' necessary ; and that if they could not furnish him with a ship, he would 

^ ' freight one himself, to convey him and their despatches. This he did. At 

] I the age of nineteen years, newly wedded to a wife whom he loved, and 

•tempted by the pleasures of a luxurious court, he voluntaj-ily rejected the 

■ready enjoyments of his condition, and sailed to America. He was received 

\ I with such sentiments as his disinterestedness merited. But, instead of using 

this grateful disposition, to obtain extraordinary distinction, in the rendition 



308 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

of his services, as was generally the case with foreigners, who then sought 
employment in America, he, modestly and generously, declined a commission, 
and requested leave to serve as a volunteer. Nor were the virtues of this 
extraordinary man, thus displayed, the temporary fruits of momentary and 
youthful excitement. His love of freedom and political equality, and his dis- 
interested pursuit of them, have rendered illustrious a long life; and it would 
seem, that with him, at least, the exercise of virtuous passions had the power 
to give increase of days. He became the friend of Washington. And if a 
nation's gratitude be the appropriate meed for national services. La Fayette 
has been rewarded, by his triumphal procession, of months, through the 
North American continent. 

When war was declared between France and England, La Fayette deem- 
ed, that his duty required him to tender his services to his own sovereign. 
He obtained the permission of Congress, to return, preserving his rank of 
major-general, in the American army, and all his zeal for American inte- 
rests. He was received at court with favour and distinction, and success- 
fully employed his influence, in persuading the cabinet to grant efficient 
succours to the United States. There being no probability of active employ- 
ment in Europe, he returned to America, in April, 1780; bearing the grate- 
ful intelligence, that France would immediately despatch a considerable land 
and naval armament, for the ensuing campaign. 

XIX. These tidings gave, indeed, a new impulse to Congress, the State 
Legislatures, and the people. The first adopted vigorous resolutions for 
raising money and troops, which were transferred into the laws of the seve- 
ral States. But, unfortunately, the energy displayed in the enactment, did 
not extend to the execution of the laws; the troops being slowly raised, and 
in numbers far less than the service I'equired. Several patriotic individuals 
contributed largely to the public funds. The citizens of Philadelphia establish- 
ed a bank, subscribing £315,000, Pennsylvania currency, payable in specie; 
principally, with a view to provide the army with provisions, and without 
contemplation of profit to the founders. The ladies of that city set a splen- 
did example of patriotism, devoting large sums for the relief of suffering 
soldiers, which was, generally, followed throughout the country.* Yet, 
despite of all these exertions, the condition of the army continued de- 
plorable. 

XX. On the 10th of July, before Washington could fill his ranks, or had 
prepared any plan for the campaign, the first division of the French auxilia- 
ries arrived at Newport, with more than five thousand troops, and intelli- 
gence, that a second division might be speedily expected. The instructions 
of General Rochambeau, placed him, entirely, under the command of Wash- 
ington, and required his forces, as allies, to cede the post of honour to the 
Americans. In reliance on the French naval superiority, Washington pro- 
posed a joint attack on New York ; fixing the 5th of August, for the re- 
embarkation of the French troops, and the assembling of his army at Morris- 
ania. But this design was procrastinated and finally defeated, by the suc- 
cessive arrival of British squadrons, which gave them the command of the 
sea, and confined the French to the harbour. In its prosecution, however, 
the commander-in-chief visited Hartford, that by personal conference with 
the French officers, he might concert measures for this and other objects. 

During his absence from camp, the long meditated treason of General 
Arnold exploded, destroying, however, only, the most active auxiliary of his 

* On the 4th of July, the ladies of Trenton appointed Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Dickenson, 
Mrs. Forman, and Miss Cadwalader. to open a subscription, and to correspond with 
the ladies in the different counties of the State, wliom they named on committees. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 309 

guilt ; whose merit caused him to be wept, even by his enemies. General 
Arnold possessed great courage, enterprise, patience, and fortitude, with 
other qualities essential to the able soldier. But without moral principle, or 
sound judgment, he estimated greatness to consist in ostentatious display, 
and the liberal indulgence of the senses. Previous to the revolution his 
poverty denied these enjoyments. His sudden elevation, whilst stimulating 
his appetites, gave him, justly or unjustly, the means for their gratification. 
A short period of success filled him with that disposition, which leads inevi- 
tably to ruin. He became prodigal of his own, and avaricious of the pro- 
perty of others. The wounds he received at Quebec and Saratoga, unfitted 
him for active service; and having large accounts to settle with Congress, 
he was, on the evacuation of Philadelphia in 1778, appointed to the com- 
mand of that city. Here, yielding to his vain propensities, he incurred large 
expenses, for a sumptuous table and splendid equipage. To sustain these, 
with the spirit of the gambler, he embarked in perilous and unfortunate com- 
mercial speculations, and in unsuccessful privateer adventures. His ac- 
counts with the United States were intricate, and the enormous balances he 
claimed, were reduced, not only by a committee of Congress, but by the 
House, on the report of its committee. Charged with various acts of extor- 
tion upon the citizens, and peculation in the funds, detected and degraded, 
he reproached his country with ingratitude, and giving general offence, was 
arrested, tried, and sentenced by a court martial, and publicly reprimanded 
by the commander-in-chief. 

From this hour, his haughty spirit is supposed to have devoted his country 
to the direst vengeance. Knowing well the importance of the post at West 
Point, he deliberately and successfully sought its command, with the view of 
betraying it to the enemy. To this end, a correspondence was for some time 
carried on, under mercantile disguise, in the names of Gustavus and An- 
derson, between him and Major John Andre, aid-de-camp of Sir Henry 
Clinton, and adjutant-general of the British army. To facilitate their com- 
munication, the Vulture, sloop of war, took a station on the North river ; and 
the visit of General Washington, at Hartford, was improved, for adjusting 
their plans by a personal interview. Andre landed from the sloop, without 
the American lines, under a flag sent by Arnold. Their conference having 
been protracted, into the succeeding day, it became necessary that Andre 
should be concealed, until the night afforded him a safe opportunity to re- 
embark. He refused, peremptorily, to enter within the lines, but the respect 
promised to this objection, was not preserved. They continued together 
during the day, in which the Vulture shifted her position, in consequence of 
a gun having, without the knowledge of Arnold, been brought to bear upon 
her. The boatmen, on the following night, refusing to carry Andre on 
board, he attempted to reach New York, by land. Reluctantly yielding 
to the representations of Arnold, he exchanged his uniform, which he had 
hitherto worn beneath his surtout, for plain clothes, and set forth with a per- 
mit, authorizing him, under the name of John Anderson, to proceed on the 
public service to the White Plains, or lower, if he thought proper. 

He had safely passed the posts, when he was arrested by one of three 
militiamen, on a scouting party. With a self-abandonment, extraordinary 
in one equally brave and intelligent, instead of producing his pass, he hastily 
asked the soldier, who had seized his bridle, " where he belonged to ?" The 
reply, " to below," designating him to be from New York, Andre said, "And 
so am I ;" — and declaring himself to be a British officer, on urgent business, 
begged that he might not be detained. The other militiamen coming up, he 
discovered his mistake too late to repair it. His most tempting offers for 
permission to escape, were rejected by his captors, who, on searching him, 



310 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

found concealed, in his boots, among other interesting papers, exact returns, 
in the hand- writing of Arnold, of the state of West Point, and its dependen- 
cies. Carried beibre Colonel Jameson, who commanded the scouts on the 
lines, he, anxious for the safety of Arnold, requested, that he should be in- 
formed, that Anderson was taken. An express was despatched with the 
communication. On receiving it, Arnold took refuge on board the Vulture, 
whence he proceeded to New York. Sufficient time being allowed for his 
escape, Andre no longer affected concealment, but avowed himself the adju- 
tant-general of the British army. 

This gallant and unfortunate man suffered the penalty which would have 
more justly fallen upon the fugitive traitor. He was condemned as a spy, 
by a court-martial, of which General Greene was president, and La Fayette, 
Steuben, and others, were members. And notwithstanding the earnest en- 
deavours of Sir Henry Clinton, to save him, and the tears even of his judges, 
the sentence, sternly exacted by duty, was executed. Arnold became a bri- 
gadier in the British service, universally contemned as a vile and sordid 
traitor, who had been redeemed from the gallows, by the blood of one of the 
most accomplished officers of the British army. 

The thanks of Congress were given, with a silver medal, bearing an in- 
scription, expressive of their fidelity, to John Paulding, David Williams, and 
Isaac Vanvert; and subsequently, a pension of two hundred dollars per 
annum — a reward, better proportioned to the state of the treasury, than their 
services — was settled upon them, respectively. 

XXII. Early in December, 1780, the American army retired to winter 
quarters. The Pennsylvania line was stationed near Morristown, the Jersey 
line about Pompton, on the confines of New York, and the troops of the New. 
England States, at and near West Point, on both sides of the river. The 
line of New York remained at Albany, to which place it had been sent to aid 
in opposing a tcmporai-y invasion from Canada. 

XXIII. In Europe, Great Britain, at war with France and Spain, was 
threatened by the northern powers, Russia, Sweden, and Norway, who, in 
the summer of 1780, entered into the celebrated compact known as " The 
armed neutrality.'''' Holland showed a disposition not only to join this alli- 
ance, but to enter into a treaty with the United States of America. Both 
were offences which the English ministers were not disposed to overlook, and 
war was declared against that nation. 

XXIV. The state of the American army was little improved during the 
year 1780. Discontent gained ground, and even the officers could not always 
restrain their repinings, in contrasting their condition with that of other 
classes in the country. These had, inevitably, an influence upon the dispo- 
sition of the soldier. In addition to the general causes of dissatisfaction, the 
Pennsylvania line had one, almost, peculiar to itself. When Congress di- 
rected enlistments to be made for " three years or during the war" the re- 
cruiting officers of that line engaged many men on those ambiguous terms. 
As a consequence, the soldier claimed his discharge, afthe expiration of three 
years; whilst the officer insisted, upon detaining him during the war. The 
imposition, as the soldier viewed it, was more impatiently borne, whilst he wit- 
nessed the large bounties given to the new recruits. The discontent which 
had been long fomenting, broke out on the night of the first of January, 1781, 
in open and almost universal revolt of this line. 

Upon a signal given, all the regiments, except three, turned out under 
arms; avowjng their determination to march to the seat of Congress, and 
obtain redi-ess for their grievances, or to serve no longer. The officers en- 
deavoured, in vain, to quell them. Several were wounded, and a Captain 
Billing killed, in the attempt. General Wayne presented his pistols, as if 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 311 

about to fire ; but the bayonet was put to his breast, whilst, with expressions 
of respect and affection, he was told, " If you fire, you are a dead man. We 
are not going to the enemy ; should he approach, we will fight him under 
your orders. But we will be no longer amused, and are resolved to obtain 
our just rights." In this temper, thirteen hundred men marched from Mor- 
ristown to Princeton, with their arms and six pieces of cannon, in good 
order, with officers appointed from themselves, a sergeant-major, who*^had 
deserted from the British, being commander. They resisted .attempts at ac- 
commodation, made, severally, by General Wayne and a committee of Con- 
gress. But, at length, at the instance of President Reed of Pennsylvania, 
they marched to Trenton, and submitted, on condition,—!. That those en- 
listed for ''three years or during the war,'' should be discharged; such 
enlistment to be determined by commissioners mutually chosen, on the oath 
of the soldier, where the written contract could not be found; 2. That cer- 
tificates for the depreciation of their pay should be immediately given, the 
arrearages to be paid as soon as circumstances would permit ; 3. That certain 
specified articles of clothing, greatly needed, should be immediately furnished. 
In consequence of the irksomeness of this affair, the whole of the artillery, 
and of the five first regiments of infantry, were discharged before the con- 
tracts of enlistment could be brought from Morristown. On their production, 
it^ appeared, that the engagements of the remaining regiments did not entitle 
them to their discharge, and that, of those actually dismissed, the far greater 
number had enlisted for the war. The discharges, however, were not re- 
voked, and those who were to remain in service, received furloughs for forty 
days, with orders to rendezvous at designated places in Pennsylvania. 

Sir Henry Clinton, apprized of the revolt, on the third of January, sent 
his emissaries, with highly tempting offers, to the line, to engage them in his 
service. The offers were communicated to General Wayne, the agents 
seized and confined, and after the accommodation, they were tried and exe- 
cuted as spies. 

General Washington, who, for prudential reasons, did not approach the 
mutineers, took measures to avail himself of the regular troops, and the mi- 
htia of New York, for offence or defence. And, on the first notice of the 
mutiny, the militia of New Jersey, under General Dickenson, took the field, 
for the purpose of opposing any incursion which might be made in the State' 
and of co-operating with such of the regular troops as it might be necessary 
to employ. . "^ 

The danger of yielding, even to the just demands of soldiers, with arms in 
their hands, was soon evident. The success of the Pennsylvania line stimu- 
lated part of that of Jersey, many of whom were foreigners, in the hope of 
like advantages, to a similar attempt. On the night of the 20th of January, 
part of the Jersey brigade, stationed at Pompton, rose in arms, and makin^ 
the same claims which had been granted to the Pennsylvanians, marched to 
Chatham, where another portion of the brigade was posted, in expectation, 
that It would join in the revolt. But, the commander-in-chief, chagrined at 
the result of the late mutiny, and confident in the faith of the eastern troops 
resolved on strong measures to stop the further progress of a spirit which 
threatened the total destruction of the army. A detachment, under General 
Howe, was immediately sent against the mutineers, with orders to bring 
them to unconditional submission, and to execute some of the most active 
of the leaders. Howe marched from Kingwood about midnight, and by 
the dawning of the next day, had so posted his force as to prevent the 
escape of the revolters. Colonel Barber, of the Jersey line, commanded them 
to parade without arms, and to march to designated ground. Upon their 
hesitation. Colonel Sprout advanced, giving them five minutes, only, for com- 



312 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

pliance. Intimidated, they instantly obeyed. The Jersey officers gave a list 
of the leaders of the revolt, from whom three of the most active were selected, 
who were executed upon the spot, by the other prominent mutineers. The 
vast disparity of numbers engaged in these mutinies, accounts for the dif- 
ference in the results. The disatfected in the Jersey line did not exceed one 
hundred and sixty men. 

Sir Henry Clinton offered to the Jersey mutineers the same terms as to 
the Pennsylvania line ; and General Robertson, at the head of three thousand 
men, was detached to Staten Island, for the purpose of entering Jersey, and 
covering any movement which they might make towards New York. The 
emissary employed, proved to be in the American interest, and delivered his 
papers to Colonel Dayton, commanding at the first station to which he came. 
Other papers were dispersed among the mutineers, promising rewards to 
every soldier who should join the British troops when landed at Elizabeth- 
town ; but the mutiny was crushed so suddenly, as to allow no time for the 
operation of these proposals. 

The vigorous steps now taken, were, happily, followed by such attention, 
on the part of the States, to the wants of the army, as checked the further 
progress of discontent. Although the army was reduced to almost insup- 
portable distress, by the scantiness of supplies, the discontents of the people 
were daily multiplied, by enforced contributions, and the offensive manner 
in which they were levied. Every article for public use, was obtained by 
impressment, and the taxes, being chiefly specific, were either unpaid or col- 
lected by coercion. Strong representations were made against this system, 
and committees were, in some places, raised to express the public complaints. 
The dissatisfaction, therefore, which pervaded the mass of the community, 
was scarcely less dangerous, than that which had been manifested by the 
army. 

XXV. The year 1781 commenced in gloom and despondency. The hopes 
founded on French aid had been disappointed; the sufferings of the army 
were unalleviated, and the prospect of its increase, discouraging. * Of thirty- 
seven thousand troops, voted by Congress, to be in camp on the first of 
January, not more than fourteen thousand, two-thirds of whom, only, were 
effective, had been raised, in all the Union, in June, when the campaign 
opened. Food and raiment were still scantily supplied; the latter, contracted 
for in France, having been unaccountably delayed. In the mean time, the 
country was threatened from every quarter, — in the west, by new combina- 
tions of the Indians — in the north, from Canada, and the discontented resi- 
dents of Vermont, whose contention for jurisdiction, with the State of New 
York, made them cold in the common cause — on the eastern border, by the 
increased force of Sir Henry Clinton — on the south, by Rawdon and Corn- 
wallis. To supply the American army with food, would, perhaps, have been 
impossible, but for the efforts of the financier, Mr. Robert Morris ; whose 
mercantile capital and credit were, judiciously, called to aid his official duties, 
without which, the decisive operations of the campaign, might have been de- 
feated. 

XXVI. Washington still cherished the design of attacking New York, and 
the French troops were ordered from Newport, late in June, for this purpose, 
The intention was abandoned, however, in August, in consequence of large re- 
inforcements having been received, from Germany, by Clinton, the tardiness 
with which the American ranks were filled, and the prospect of striking a suc- 
cessful blow in the south. A large fleet, commanded by the Count de Grasse, 
was expected, daily, to arrive in the Chesapeake, affording, if conjoined in 
operation with the army, the most flattering hopes of the capture of Corn- 
wallis. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. ;J13 

The appearance of an attack on New York, was still kept up, whilst 
the allied army crossed the North river, and passed, by way of Philadel- 
phia, to Yorktown. This march would, probably, have been interrupted, 
had not Sir Henry Clinton, relying, contidently, on some intercepted letters, 
developing the plan of the intended attempt on New York, believed the present 
movement to be a feint, until it was too far completed to be opposed. The 
order observed by the French troops, has, with great reason, called forth the 
plaudits of the historian. In a march of five hundred miles, through a coun- 
try abounding in fruit, not a peach nor an apple was taken without leave. 
Creneral Washington and Count Rochambeau, reached Williamsburg on the 
14th of September ; and visiting Count de Grasse, on board his ship, the Ville 
de Pans, concerted the plan of future operations. 

De Grasse arrived in the Chesapeake, from Cape Francoise, late in August, 
with twenty-eight sail of the line, and several frigates. At Cape Henry, an 
officer from La Fayette informed him of the situation of the. armies in Vir- 
ginia. Lord Cornwallis, who had received notice that a French fleet was to 
be expected on the coast, had collected his whole force at Yorktown and 
Gloucester Point; and the Marquis had taken a position on James River, for 
the purpose of opposing any attempt, which the British might make, to escape 
into South Carolina. Four ships of the line and several frigates, were de- 
tached for the purpose of blocking up the mouth of York River, and of con- 
veying the French land forces, under the Marquis of St. Simon, up the James 
River, to form a junction with La Fayette. In the mean time, the fleet lay 
at anchor just within the capes. On the 25th of August, the Count de Barras 
sailed from Newport for the Chesapeake. 

Admiral Rodney, who commanded in the West Indies, supposino- that the 
greater part of the fleet of De Grasse, had proceeded to Europe, and that a 
part, only, of his own squadron, would suffice to maintain an equality offeree 
in the American seas, detached Sir Samuel Hood to the continent, with four- 
teen sail of the line. That ofl^cer made land south of the capes of Virginia, 
ra ^w days before De Grasse's arrival, and proceeded, thence, to Sandy Hook' 
which he reached on the 28th of August. Uniting with the force under Ad- 
miral Greaves, who, as senior officer, took the command, the whole fleet, 
amounting to nineteen sail of the line, set sail, immediately, in hopes of falling 
,. in With De Barras or De Grasse, wholly unsuspicious of the force of the 
1 1 latter. On the morning of the fifth of September, the fleet of De Grasse was 
' : discovered, consisting of twenty-four sail of the line, in the mouth of the 
Chesapeake. An engagement ensued, for several hours, in which neither 
; party could claim^ the victory. Some days were spent in manoeuvres, 
; during which De Grasse, having the wind, might have brought on another 
' battle ; but it was declined, that the capture of the British army, now deemed 
almost certain, might not be put to hazard. In the mean time, De Barras 
; arrived with his squadron, and fourteen transports laden with artillery and 
stores, proper to carry on the siege. The English fleet retired before this 
superior force, and returned to New York. 

At length, the post of Lord Cornwallis was formally besieged, and the first 
parallel commenced, on the night of the sixth of October. The siege was 
prosecuted with great vigour, courage, and skill ; the officers and soldiers of 
France and America, striving who should display most, these qualities. The 
defence was maintained, with equal spirit, against a vastly superior force, 
; durmg thirteen days ; until almost every gun on the fortifications was dis- 
;, mounted, and the batteries prostrated. On the nineteenth. Lord Cornwallis 
: surrendered the posts of Yorktown and Gloucester Point, with their garrisons 
:and the shipping in the harbour with the seamen; the army and arms, mi- 
. .htary chest and stores, to Washington; the ships and seamen to the Count 
11 2 R 



314 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

de Grasse. The total amount of prisoners, exclusive of seamen, exceeded 
seven thousand men. The allied army may be estimated at sixteen thousand ; 
the French at seven thousand ; the continental troops at five thousand five 
hundred, and the miUtia at three thousand five hundred. Sir Henry Clinton, 
fully apprized of the influence which the fate of the army, in Virginia, must 
have on the war, exerted himself, strenuously, for its preservation ; and 
having embarked about seven thousand of his best troops, sailed for the 
Chesapeake, under convoy of twenty-five sail of the line. This armament 
left the Hook on the day the capitulation was signed at Yorktown, and ap- 
peared off the capes of Virginia, to learn the tidings of surrender, and to 
return to New York ; no sufficient motive remaining for attacking the great- 
ly superior force of De Grasse. 

The exultation throughout the United States, at the capture of this formi- 
dable army, which had inflicted incalculable misery over an immense space 
of territory, was equal to the terror which it had inspired. The opinion be- 
came universal, that the great struggle was over, that the object of the con- 
test had been fully gained, and every demonsti-ation of gratitude was poured 
forth by Congress and the people, to heaven, and its agents in their de- 
liverance. 

XXVII. Whilst the allied armies were on march for Virginia, Sir Henry 
Clinton, probably, with the hope of recalling Washington, sent an expedition 
under Arnold, against New London, which landed in the port on the 6th 
of September. Fort Grisvvold, on one side of the harbour, made an obsti- 
nate resistance. It was garrisoned by Colonel Ledyard, and one hundred 
and sixty men. But being taken by storm, the captors disgraced their tri- 
umph, by the slaughter of the brave and unresisting defenders. Colonel 
Ledyard presented his sword to the commanding officer of the assailants, 
which the barbarian instantly plunged into his bosom, and the carnage was 
kept up, until the greater part of the garrison was killed or wounded. If 
such vengeance could be justified, there was, indeed, cause for it. Colonel 
Eyre, and Major Montgomery, the second in command, together with two 
hundred men, fell in the assault. The town of New London, and the stores 
which it contained, were consumed by fire. 

XXVIII. The capture of Cornwallis was the conclusion of the war. A 
show of hostility was preserved for a few months, and some skirmishing 
was had, of no great interest, between the parties, near New York, and 
in the vicinity of Charleston. But no military event of importance, after- 
wards took place. Count de Grasse sailed for the West Indies, Wayne 
and Gest's brigades marched under General St. Clair, to the aid of Greene, 
in the south ; the French troops remained in Virginia, and the easteril 
regiments returned to New Jersey and New York, under the immediate i 
command of General Lincoln. 

Stimulated by these successes, the preparations for another campaign : 
were commenced, with much alacrity. The resolutions respecting the mili- 
tary establishment, were adopted by Congress, so early as the 10th of De- 
cember; and those providing for the expenses of the war, substituting ai 
vigorous system of taxation, for the demoralizing and unjust practice of ex- 
tortion, and requiring eight millions of dollars, in specie, to be paid by the' 
States, quarterly, were passed so early as the 10th of October. But thei 
country was exhausted. The obstacles to raising revenue, were almost i 
insuperable. At the commencement of the year 1782, not a dollar remainedi 
in the public treasury; and although the payment of two millions had beeni 
required by the first of April, on the twenty-third of that month, not a centf 
had been received. On the first of June, twenty thousand dollars, scarce moret 
than sufficient for a single day's service, had been paid. In July, when a 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 315 

half years' tax was due, the minister of finance was informed by his agents, 
that in some States, nothing would be received before the month of Decem- 
ber. The country was, therefore, indebted for indispensable supplies, to the 
funds and credit of the financier; but the public creditors were unpaid, and 
no one could look forward, without deep anxiety, to the perpetuation of the 
system of forced contribution. 

Happily for the United States, the people of Great Britain had wearied of 
the contest, and constrained their King, and his ministers, to think of peace. 
Strong resolutions were adopted by Parliament late in February, which not 
being promptly acted upon by the ministry, were followed on the 4th of 
March, by a vote of the House of Commons, denouncing as enemies to his 
Majesty and the country, all who should advise or attempt, a further prose- 
cution of offensive war on the continent of North America. A change of 
ministry succeeded these votes, with instructions to the commanding officers 
in America, which conformed to them. 

XXIX. Although the spirit of animosity between the two nations, Great 
Britain and the United States of America, began to yield to policy and hu- 
manity, the ire which dwelt in the bosoms of the tories, seemed to wax 
stronger, as their hopes of restitution waned. In the depredations of Arnold, 
and in the border war of New Jersey, the injuries done by them, were the 
most malignant ,• and their vengeance was still poured out upon New Jersey. 
From many outrages, we select the following, as most prominent. 

On the 2d of April, 1782, Captain Joshua Huddy was captured, with the 
block-house he defended, on Tom's river, by a party of refugees, after a 
gallant resistance. He was carried to New York, and detained in close 
confinement for some days, and then told, that he was to be hanged. Four 
days after (on the 12th,) he was carried by a party ol" tories to Middletown. 
Heights, where he was deliberately executed, with the following label affixed 
to his breast. — " We, the refugees, having long, with grief, beheld the cruel 
murders of our brethren, and finding nothing but such measures daily carry- 
ing into execution; — we, therefore, determine not to suffer without taking 
vengeance for the numerous cruelties; and thus begin, having made use of 
Captain Huddy, as the first object to present to your view ; and further de- 
termine, to hang man for man, while there is a refugee existing. Up goes 
Huddy, for Philip White." 

The Philip White here named, was a tory, who had been taken by a 
party of Jersey militia, and killed, in attempting to escape. His death was, 
falsely, charged upon this victim. Huddy was a man of extraordinary 
bravery, and met his hard fate, with rare fortitude and composure of mind. 
He executed his will, under the gallows, upon the head of the barrel, from 
which he was immediately to make his exit — and in a hand-writing, fairer 
than usual. Greatly indignant at this wanton murder, Washington wrote 
to Sir Henry Clinton, threatening, that unless the murderers were surren- 
dered, he would retaliate. The demand being refused. Captain Asgill was 
designated by lot, as the subject. In the mean time the British instituted 
a court-martial, for the trial of Captain Lippincott, the principal agent in 
the nefarious deed; when it appeared, that Governor Franklin, president 
, of the board of associated loyalists, had given verbal orders to Lippincott, 
designating Huddy as a proper obje-ct for vengeance, as one who had perse- 
cuted the loyalists, and had been especially instrumental in hanging Stephen 
Edwards, a refugee. The court acquitted Lippincott, stating, that his con- 
duct was dictated by the conviction, that duty required him to obey the 
orders of the board, as he did not doubt their authority. Sir Guy Carleton, 
who had succeeded to the chief command of the British army, notwith- 
standing the acquittal, reprobated the measure, gave assurance of further 



II 



316 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

inquiry, and broke up the board oi' associated loyalists, to prevent the repeti- 
tion of such excesses. Asgill was rescued from various reasons. The end 
of the war rapidly and visibly approached — the Count de Vergennes inter- 
ceded for him, by letter, enclosing one from Mi's. Asgill, his mother, and Con- 
gress (November 7th,) directed. the commander-in-chief, to his great satisfac- 
tion, to set the captain at liberty. 

XXX. Sir Guy Carleton, with Admiral Digby, was commissioned to 
negotiate a separate peace with the Americans ; but their efforts were futile, 
as such a course, being dishonourable to the States, was inadmissible. Nor 
was it apparent, that the powers of the commissioners were sufficiently full 
for the object. But the public votes we have stated, and, probably, the pri- 
vate instructions given to the British general, restrained him from offensive 
war; and the state of the American army, disabled Washington from any 
attempt on posts held by the enemy. These causes of inactivity in the 
north, extended also to the south. 

Afler an intricate negotiation, in which the penetration, judgment, and 
firmness of the American commissioners* were eminently displayed, eventual 
and preliminary articles of peace were signed on the 30th of November. 
The treaty, however, did not take effect, until the general pacification, on 
the 20th of January, 1783. Tidings of the latter event were communicated 
by M. de La Fayette, by letter, received 24th of March. Early in April, 
came a copy of the treaty, ft-om the American commissioners, and on the 
19th of that month, the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed. On the 15th, 
the execution of the treaty was publicly celebrated, at Trenton. 

XXXI. To the restoration of the blessings of peace, one important mea- 
sure, the dissolution of the army, was indispensable. Military habits, and 
the spirit of segregation which they engender, are incompatible with the 
order and equality of civil life. The general and corporal are alike te- 
nacious of command; and the soldier, reluctantly, lays aside the casque, 
the uniform and arms, the idleness and the license, which distinguish him 
from the citizen. The camp becomes his country — his fellows in arms, his 
only compatriots, and the articles of war, and the will of his officers, his only 
laws. His whole being is newly, but not beneficially, modified. His intel- 
lectual powers and employments are confined to narrow limits, whilst his 
physical force and sensual appetites, are generally increased, and oflen in- 
dulged, by irregular gratification. To dissolve an army which has no cause 
of complaint against the State, is often a difficult and dangerous duty — to 
disarm men, to whom the State, without the means of payment, is deeply 
indebted; who, poor and naked, look, confidently, on their return to civil life, 
only, to servile labour, beggary and oblivion, is indeed a perilous task ; yet 
one, which among the miracles of the American revolution, was accomplish- 
ed. A happiness, for which the country was as much indebted to the com- 
mander-in-chief, as for his military services.- The traits of character dis- 
played by him in attaining this object, are more valuable. than any exhibited 
in his previous and after life, excellent as these, certainly, were. He had his 
equals, perhaps superiors, in his own country, in military talent and political 
science; but in magnanimity, self-control, and true appreciation of fame, 
he was unrivalled. Had he been animated by ordinary ambition, the pas- 1 
sion common to an Alexander, a Csesar, a Cromwell, and a Bonaparte, he | 
might readily have availed himself of the discontents of the army to gratify |i 
it; he might have loosed upon his country, tlie most ferocious of animals, an 
irritated soldiery, and haye compelled that country to fly to military despot- 1/ 
ism, as a refuge against the worse evils of anarchy. But, with the love off 

Messrs. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens. , 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 317 

peace, of order, of social feeling and political equality, which can never be 
too much praised, he said to the angry elements of discord, be still, and they 
obeyed his voice. 

When the prospect of peace became certain, the officers of the army turn- 
ed anxiously to their own condition, and asked, as an act of justice, payment 
of arrears, and compensation for losses sustained by a depreciated currency ; 
and, as an act of gratitude, a reward, for services which were inestimable. 
To the immediate gratification of these demands, the obstacle was obvious, 
as irremediable, in an empty treasury. But there was a party in the na- 
tional councils, who were indisposed to accept, without question, the high 
estimate of services made by the military — who believed that the life of the 
soldier, had, like other conditions, mingled good and evil, the one com- 
pensating the other; and who would not admit, that the distinction sought 
by thousands, despite of the labours and privations which it imposed, gave 
extraordinary and preferable claims upon the country. However sound, in 
general, might be this view of military merit, it was less just when applied to 
the continental army. There is no evil, it is true, which afflicted the Ameri- 
can soldier, that had not been borne in pursuit of the very worst objects of 
human ambition, of absolute and unhallowed power, of the sordid love of 
gold. But the motive elevated the service; yet, only so long, as that motive 
was disinterestedly patriotic. Every effort to obtain pecuniary compensa- 
tion, made hy the soldier, stripped his pretensions of their gilding, and re- 
'duced him nearer to the grade of the ordinary mercenary. The country, 
but more, especially, posterity, owed to the men of the revolution, a deep debt 
of gratitude. But was that more due to the sufTering soldier, than the suffer- 
ing citizen — to him who met the enemy in arms, manfully returning blow 
for blow, than to him, who encountered the foe u})on his hearth-stone, and 
unresistingly beheld his barns and his byres plundered, the wife of his 
bosom, and the children of his love, violated or slaughtered — to him, who, 
though, occasionally, scantily and precariously fed, had some assurance in 
the care of the nation, and in his own arms, that he should not starve, than 
to him, who was^ stripped of the loaf that he had garnered for his infants, 
that the soldier might not want — to him whom, depreciation of the currency, 
left as it found him, a pennyless man, than to him whom that depreciation 
despoiled of the hoards of his ancestors, and of the stores laid up during a 
long life of unremitting industry? Let the suffering of the soldier and the 
citizen, be duly compared; they will not be found more unequal than were 
the enjoyments for which they contended. An extraordinary gratitude con- 
tinues even now, to repay the one, but no pension, no praise, has smoothed 
the thorny path of the other, to the grave. 

With views such as we have glanced at, Congress lent a dull and unwil- 
ling ear, in the depth of pecuniary distress, to the vehement cries of the 
soldier; and in consonance with the experience of all times past, he demon- 
strated the disposition to redress his own grievances, and in his own way. An 
anonymous, but eloquent and inflammatory address, was circulated through 
the army,* exciting to this course ; whilst another missive summoned the 
general and field-officers, to convene on the succeeding day. A crisis had 
thus approached, big with the fate of the nation. It was possible, for the 
commander-in-chief, by prompt, decisive and steady action, to avert the 
threatened evil ; and he did not shrink from the service. He instantly no- 
ticed the seditious papers, in general orders, and called the general and field- 
officers, with one officer from each company, and a representation from the 
staff of the army, to assemble on the 15th, to consider the report of a corn- 



March 10th, 1783. 



b 



318 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

mittee which had been deputed from the army to Congress. He employed 
the interval, successfully, in preparing the minds of all for moderate mea- 
sures. At the convention, General Gates took the chair, and Washington 
addressed the officers, reprobating, in the strongest terms, the anonymous 
addresses, not only as to the mode of communication, but, also, as to the 
spirit which indicted them — dwelling on the character which the army had 
acquired for patriotism and order — expressing undiminished confidence in 
the justice and gratitude of the country, and conjuring them, as they valued 
their honour, as they respected the rights of humanity, and as they regarded 
their military and national character, to express their utmost detestation of 
the man who was attempting to open the floodgates of civil discord, and to 
deluge the rising empire with blood. So absolute was the power of virtue, 
on this occasion, that not a voice was raised to oppose its behests. Reso- 
lutions were, unanimously, adopted, echoing the sentiments of the com- 
mander-in-chief. 

These events hastened the adoption of a resolution, which had been, some 
time, pending before Congress, giving to the officers who preferred a sum in 
gross to an annuity, five years full pay, in money, or in securities at six per 
cent., instead of the half-pay for life, which had previously been promised 
them ; and measures were also taken, to obtain for the troops, three months' 
pay in hand. At the same time, a happy mean was pursued, of dispersing 
the dangerous mass. The commander-in-chief was instructed, to grant fur- 
loughs to the non-commissioned, officers and privates, with an intention, 
which, of course, was persevered in, that they should not be required to re- 
join their regiments. The officers remonstrated ; but the general again ap- 
peased them, and gained their acquiescence. In the course of the summer, 
a great proportion of the troops, who had enlisted for three years, returned 
to their homes ; and on the third of November, 1783, all who had engaged 
for the war, were discharged. 

By these means, an unpaid army was disbanded and dispersed; — the pri- 
vates betaking themselves to labour — the officers, who had been drawn from 
every condition of society, from the professions, from husbandry and from 
trade, and the mechanic arts, returned, generally, to their primary pursuits. 
, One, only, exception stands forth from this scene of honourable and pa- 
triotic devotion. About eighty of the new Pennsylvania levies, who were 
without pretensions of suffering and service, in despite of their officers, 
marched from Lancaster to Philadelphia,* to seek a redress of grievances. 
Joining with some troops, in the barracks of the city, their force was increased 
to three hundred, which proceeded with fixed bayonets and drums, to the state- 
house, where Congress, and the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, 
held their sessions. They placed guards at every door, and sent to the 
council a written message, threatening to loose the soldiery upon them, if 
their demands were not granted within twenty minutes. Congress, though 
not the object of the soldiers resentment, deemed themselves grossly insulted, 
having been restrained of iheir liberty for several hours. Apprehensive of 
further ill consequence, from this insurrection, that body adjourned, to meet 
at Princeton, the next place of their assemblage. General Washington, in- 
formed of this outrage, despatched fifteen hundred men, under General Howe, 
to quell the mutiny, which, previously to their arrival, was suppressed, with- 
out bloodshed. Several of the mutineers were tried and condemned, two, ta 
suffer death ; and four, to receive corporal punishment ; but all were afterwards 
pardoned. . . 

. XXXII. On the 25th of November, 1783, the British evacuated New 

* June 20th, 1783. 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 319 

York, and General Washington, attended by General Clinton, many civil 
and military officers, and a cavalcade of citizens, made a public entry into 
that city. 

His military career was now on the point of terminating ; but previously 
to divesting himself of his command, he proposed to bid adieu to his com- 
rades in arms. The interview, for this purpose, took place on the fourth of 
December, at Francis' tavern. At noon, the principal officers had assembled, 
when he entered the room. His emotions were too strong to be concealed. 
Filling a glass with wine, he turned to them and said, " with a heart full of 
love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish, that your 
latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been 
glorious and honourable." Having drank, he added, " I cannot come to 
each of you to take leave, but shall be obliged, if each will come and take 
me by the hand." General Knox being nearest, turned to him. Incapable 
of utterance, Washington grasped his hand, and embraced him. In the same 
affectionate manner, he took leave of all. Every eye was suffused with tears, 
and not a word broke the deep silence and tenderness of the scene. Leav- 
ing the room, he passed through the corps of light infantry, and walked to 
White Hall, where a barge waited to convey him to Paules Hook. The 
whole company followed in mute and solemn procession, testifying feelings 
of delicious melancholy, which no language can describe. Having entered 
the barge, he turned to his companions, and waving his hat, bade them a 
silent adieu. They returned the affectionate salute, and when the barge had 
lefl them, marched, in the same solemn manner, to the place whei-e they 
had assembled.* 

One other act remained, to render the fame of Washington, as imperisha- 
ble as the globe on which he lived — to set an example of virtue and patriot- 
ism, which, through all time, shall inspire the good with the desire of imita- 
tion, and curb and defeat the demagogue, and the tyrant, who use political 
power for private ends. This was, the voluntary surrender of that almost 
dictatorial power, which had been granted by the sages of his country, and 
which he had used with unequalled prudence and conscientious reserve. This 
solemn and impressive duty, he performed at Annapolis, on the 23d of De- 
cember, 1783, delivering his commission to the assembled council of the 
nation, from whom, eight years before, he had received it; and retiring to 
become, the first in peace, as he had been first in war, and first in the hearts 
of his countrymen. 

* Marshall. Gordon. 



m 



320 HJSTORY OF NEW JERSEY". 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

I. Peculiar sufferings of the State of New Jersey from the War. — 11. Laws in New 
Jersey relative to the Militia. — III. Council of Safety. — IV. Military eflForts of 
New Jersey. — V. State Representatives in Congress. — VI. Establishment of the 
New Jersey Gazette. — VII. Unhappy Condition of the States after the return of 
Peace. — VIII. InefBciency of the Articles of Confederation — Part of New Jersey 
in their Adoption. — IX. Measures proposed in Congress for maintaining Public 
Credit — Efforts of New Jersey upon this subject. — X. She resorts to Paper Cur- 
rency and Loan OfRce for Relief. — XL Difficulties with Great Britain relative to 
the Execution of the Treaty. — XII. Measures for regulating the Trade of the 
Union — Result in a Proposition for Revision of the Articles of Confederation. — 
XIII. Adoption of the New Constitution — Ratified by New Jersey. 

I. In the rapid sketch we have given of the revolutionary war, we have 
endeavoured to place in full relief, those events, in which the State of New 
Jersey bore a distinguished part, or claimed a peculiar interest. We have, 
thus, noticed the battles and skirmishes which took place within and around 
her borders, and the injuries she sustained from the marauding parties of the 
enemy, and the requisitions of her friends. We have seen, that the Ameri- 
can grand army, except for a period of nine months, between September, 
1777, and June, 1778, when the British occupied Philadelphia, and for the 
two months of the autumn of l781, employed against Cornwallis, in Virgi- 
nia, was, during the whole war, within, or on the confines of, the State. Its 
presence necessarily drew upon her, the perpetual observation and frequent 
inroads of the enemy ; so that her citizens were, at no time, relieved from 
the evils of war. Had the American army been regularly and fully paid, 
some, though inadequate compensation, might have been derived from the 
sale of her products to additional consumers. But, unhappily, those pro- 
ducts were, too frequently, taken without payment, or were paid for in cer- 
tificates, which, for the time, were worthless. 

New Jersey, therefore, in the contest, to which she was as disinterested a 
party as any State in the Union, suffered more than her proportion, more 
than any other State, South Carolina excepted. Under these inflictions, the 
patriotism, patience, and fortitude of her people, were merits of the highest 
order. Her Legislature shrunk from no effort which the general interest 
required, and was, commonly, among the first to act upon the suggestions of 
Congress. After the victories of Trenton and Princeton, her militia, though 
continually harassed, by the cares of defending a long line of coast, turned 
out with promptness and energy, at the frequent calls of the commander-in- 
chief; and when actually invaded, in force, upon her eastern border, de- 
spatched considerable aid to her western sister State. The commander-in- 
chief, and his principal officers, bear abundant testimony to the activity, 
courage, and patriotism of her regular troops. Still, it remains, in order to 
display the part borne by the State, in the revolution, that we enter some- 
what more fully into the peculiar measures she pursued. 

II. The subject of militia service was then, as now, one of much diffi- 
culty, in all communities where the Quakers are numerous. The doctrine 
of non-resistance is more admirable in theory, than admissible in prac- 
tice. Probably, it can exist, only, where the State possesses an adequate 
number of members, who are conscientiously scrupulous in defending their 
rights; and that a community of non-combatants, having wherewith to 
excite the cupidity of others, would be converted into soldiers or slaves. In 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 321 

West Jersey, the Quakers were numerous, rich, and, as in Pennsylvania, 
many were not unfriendly to British pretensions. Their inlluence was suffi- 
cient to enervate the militia system. The ordinances of the Convention be- 
trayed this ; and the System became one of the first subjects of attention for 
the Legislature of the new State. 

In a letter of the 24th of January, 1777, to Governor Livingston, General 
Washington complained of its inefficiency, and strenuously urged, that " every 
man capable of bearing arms, should be obliged to turn out, and not permit- 
ted to buy off his services for a trifling sum." The governor communicated 
and enforced this sentiment to the Legislature, whilst General Putnam, at 
this time, stationed at Princeton, irritated by the refusal of numbers to perform 
military duty, gave peremptory orders to apprehend delinquents, and to exact 
personal service, or to levy what he deemed proportionate fines. This arbi- 
trary and illegal measure was properly reproved by the governor; but the 
general seems neither to have understood, nor relished the forbearance en- 
joined upon him, although sustained by orders of the commander-in-chief. 
In framing the new militia bill, the principle of pecuniary composition for 
service, was, tenaciously, retained. Again, Washington interfered, exclaim- 
ing, " How can an Assembly of gentlemen, eye witnesses to the distresses 
and inconveniences that have their principal source in the want of a well 
regulated militia, hesitate to adopt the only remedy that can remove them ! 
And stranger still ; think of a law, that must, necessarily, add to the accu- 
mulated load of confusion ! For Heaven's sake, entreat them to lay aside 
their present opinions, and waving every other consideration, let the public 
good be singularly attended to ! The ease they design their constituents, by 
composition, must be delusive. Every distinction between rich and poor, 
must be laid aside now."* Still the militia law, passed on the 15th of March, 
1777, authorized the commutation of service, during the "war. 

III. More energy was infused into another act of the Legislature, enacted 
at this period, on the recommendation of the executive, constituting the go- 
vernor, and twelve members of the Assembly, " a council of safety," with 
extraordinary and summary powers. The members had the authority of 
justices of the peace throughout the State, — they might fill vacancies in all 
offices during the recess of the Legislature — might correspond with Congress 
and other States, transact business with the officers of government, and- pre- 
pare bills for the General Assembly — might apprehend disaffected persons, 
and imprison them, without bail or mainprize — might cause the laws to be 
faithfully executed, enforce the resolutions of the Assembly, and recommend 
to the speaker, to convene that body — and might call out such portions of the 
militia, as they should deem necessary, to execute the laws or protect them- 
selves. The original act was limited to six months, but the powers given 
were continued and enlarged from time to time, until the middle of the year 

i 1778. An attempt was unsuccessfully made, to revive this power in 1780. 
It was most usefully employed in detecting and punishing the tories. 

IV. There is much difficulty in giving a minute and accurate account of 
the military efforts of the State. Those of the militia were, generally, desul- 
tory and momentary, whilst those of the regular troops are involved in the 
operations of the continental armies. All officers of the militia, above the 
grade of captain, were appointed by the council and Assembly, in joint meet- 

i ing, who, also, nominated all the officers of the continental brigade, below 
the rank of brigadier. The militia officers, of all ranks, were frequently 
changed ; but the changes in the brigade were little more than such as were 
occasioned by death and promotion. 

'^ Sedgwick's Livingston — Vote of Assembly — State Laws. 
2S 



u 



322 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

The first brigadiers of militia were Philemon Dickenson, Isaac William- 
son, and William Livingston. General Williamson resigned sixth of Feb- 
ruary, 1777. Mr. Livingston's commission was vacated by his election as 
governor. On the close of June, 1776, when the militia were ordered to 
meet the enemy operating against New York, Colonel Nathaniel Heard was 
promoted to the command of the detachment of three thousand three hun- 
dred volunteers, engaged to serve until December, which had been offered to 
Joseph Reed, who, about this time, entered the continental service. The 
colonels were Philip Van Cortland, Ephraim Martin, Stephen Hunt, Silas 
Newcomb; lieutenant-colonels, David Brearley, David Forman, John Mun- 
son, Philip Johnson, and Bowes Reed ; brigade-major, Robert Hoopes. On 
the eighteenth of July, Congress having authorized the commander-in-chief 
to call to his assistance, two thousand men from the flying camp, the Conven- 
tion of New Jersey supplied their place by a like number of militia. As the 
success of the enemy increased, and the danger to the State became immi- 
nent, still more strenuous measures were adopted. On the 11th of August, 
1776, the Convention, by ordinance, divided the militia into two classes, or- 
dering one-half into immediate service, to be relieved, monthly. The fine 
imposed on privates, refusing to serve, was three pounds, only. This forced 
effort was, necessarily, of short duration. 

On the 15th of February, 1777, General Dickenson proposing to remove 
from the State, tendered to the Assembly his commission of brigadier, which 
was accepted with a vote of thanks, for his spirited and prudent conduct 
whilst in office. Joseph Ellis was named his successor, but declined the 
conunission. On the twenty-first of February, David Potter and John Neil- 
son, on the fourth of March, Colonel William Winds, on the fifth, David 
Forman, and on the fifteenth Silas Newcomb, were named brigadiers. Mr. 
Potter declined to serve. General Forman resigned on the 6th of Novem- 
ber, and General Newcomb on the 4th of the following month. On the 6th' 
of June, Mr. Dickenson, having abandoned his intention of leaving the State, 
was appointed major-general; he held this post during the war, was fre- 
quently, as we have seen, engaged in active service, giving high satisfaction 
to the commander-in-chief, the constituted authorities of the State, and the 
troops under his command. ' 

To the continental army. New Jersey supplied two highly distinguished 
general officers, and a brigade, certainly, inferior to none in the service. 
Lord Sterling, remarkable for his zeal and energy as a whig, was, in 
October, 1775, a colonel in the militia of Somerset county. He, was soon 
afl;er appointed to the same rank, in the first continental regiment from the 
province, whilst William Maxwell received the colonelcy of the second. In 
December, of the same year. Lord Stirling was suspended by Governor 
Franklin, from his seat in Council. In January, 1776, he received the \ 
thanks of Congress, for the capture of the ship Blue Mountain Valley, which, , 
with the aid of several gentlemen, volunteers from Elizabethtown, he sur- -j 
prised. In March following, he became brigadier, and in February, 1777, J 
major-general, in the continental army. He died at Albany, 15th of (j 
January, 1783, whilst in chief command of the northern department. 
During the A^ar, he rendered as much personal service as any officer of his 
rank; and to his military merit, General Washington has borne honourable 
testimony.* 

* William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, was the only son of James Alexander, a 
distinguished lawyer, of New York, and at one time, Secretary of the Province of r 
New Jersey. William commenced business as a merchant, in New York. In 1755, • 
he was appointed one of the army contractors, by General Shirley ; and, subsequent- I 
ly, private secretary to that commander. Being skilled in theoretic and practical i 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 323 

In February, 1776, a third battalion was raised in New Jersey, placed 
under the command of Colonel Maxwell, and marched for Canada. Under 
the resolutions of Congress, authorizing the raising of eighty -eight battalions, 
tor the war, four were allowed to that State. In fitting them, recourse was 
if iV^^ ^^^^^ battalions already in service, northward of Albany, and for 
the deficiency, to the five battalions, raised for one year, under the command 
fl V, f A^^' Heard. Pursuant to the recommendation of Congress, of the 
8th of October, 1779, the Assembly appointed a committee, consisting of 
Iheophilus Elmer and Abraham Clark, to nominate the officers for the bat- 
talions, subject to the revision and confirmation of the Legislature. The 
first field-officers confirmed in joint meeting, were Colonels Elias Dayton, 
^phraim Martin, Silas Newcomb, Isaac Shreve; Lieutenant-colonels David 
«rearley, Matthias Ogden, David Rhea, and Francis Barber; Majors Wil- 
ham De Hart, Richard Howell, Joseph Bloomficld, and E. Howell. The 
company officers were appointed at the same time. Several changes in the 
neld-officers, almost immediately took place. 

_ Under the authority of Congress, in 1780, a new arrangement of the 
Jersey brigade was made, reducing the four battalions to three regiments, 
which was confirmed by the Assembly of the State, on the 26th of Septem- 
ber, in the following manner, as to the field-officers. Of the first regiment, 
Matthias Ogden, colonel, David Brearley, lieutenant-colonel, Danief Piatt' 
major; of the second regiment, Isaac Shreve, colonel, William De Hart' 
heutenant-colonel, and Richard Howell, major; of the third, Elias Dayton' 
colonel, Francis Barber, lieutenant-colonel, and John Conway, major. The 
brigade, before and after it was thus constituted, was commanded by Brio-a- 
dier-general Maxwell, and was employed, at times, in every part of the con- 
tinent; wherever hard service was required, in the north, south, centre, and 
r west.* Besides the distinguished military officers, we have above named. 
New Jersey gave to the continental army. Adjutant-general Joseph Reed^ 
I siibsequently President of the Executive Council of Pennsylvania, and Elias 
I Boudinot, the commissary-general of prisoners. This gentleman was, also, 
i I" F^^' President of Congress. In the civil department, she gave to the 
I United States, a judge of admiralty, in Francis Hopkinson, and to Pennsyl- 
vania, an attorney-general, in Jonathan D. Sergeant. 

V. In Congress, the State appears to have been uniformly and efficiently 

1 represented, and her delegates chosen, annually, by the Assembly, in joint 

i ballot, to have borne an active part in all the important business of that 

body. We have heretofore given the names of her representatives, up to the 

I adoption of the constitution of the State, and now append the names of those 

mathematics, he was made surveyor-general of East Jersey. In September, 1756 he 
accompanied Shirley to England, and by his persuasions, was induced to claim 'the 
bcottish earldom of Stirling, of which he bore the family name, and which had been 
in abeyance, since 1739. He succeeded in estabhshing, in 1759, his direct descent 
from the titled family, before a jury of service, as required by the Scotch law and 
' confident of final success, assumed the title, which was, at the same time, adopted by 
' several other claimants. But the final decision depended on the House of Peers 
' which forbade all claimants of peerages to use the titles, until their rights were esta- 
blished. The decision was ultimately against him; but the title was o-iven to him by 
'. courtesy, durmg the remainder of his life. Shortly after his return^to America he 
removed to Baskingridge, in the county of Somerset, New Jersey, where his father 
had owned extensive tracts of land; and being soon afterwards appointed a member of 
the King's Council, he remained at this place until the revolution. His letters to the 
; Lords Bute and Shelburne, some of which remain, show an earnest desire to develope 
the resources of the colony. He made a map of the province, and endeavoured to 
foster Its manufactures. In the year 1773, he exerted himself to discover the agents 
|in the robbery of the treasurer, Stephen Skinner.— Sedgwick's Life of Livinrrston 
. * General Maxwell resigned, 20th of July, 1780. 



II 



324 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

who served from that period, to the organization of the present federal 
government.* 

VI. Among other measures, and certainly not the least efficient, adopted 
by the Legislature, in aid of the revolution, was the establishment of the 
public press, and the New Jersey Gazette; designed, among other good pur- 
poses, to counteract the influence of the Royal Gazette, published by Riving- 
ton, in New York. This matter was proposed to the Assembly on the 11th 
of October, 1777, and was undertaken by Mr. Isaac Collins, who had been 
printer to the province for some years ; the Legislature engaging, for seven 
hundred subscribers, to establish a post from the printing office to the nearest 
continental post office, and to exempt the printer and four work;men from 
militia service. Mr. Collins was a Quaker, a whig, a man of enterprise, 
courage and discretion. The gazette was regularly published, until the 
25th of November, 1786, when other presses having been established, it 
was discontinued, for want of patronage. It rendered essential service to 
the patriot cause, and was the vehicle for the lucubrations of Governor Liv- 
ingston, and other writers, who animated and directed the efforts of their 
countrymen. 

VII. The States had universally looked forward to the return of peace, 
with the establishment of their independence, as to a condition of unalloyed 
happiness. The unyielding firmness with which their trials had been borne, 
and the glorious termination of the contest, gave to the people much self- 
satisfaction, at home, and an honourable reputation, abroad, which served as 
powerful stimulus to pursue their high destinies with vigour. But many 
obstacles opposed the rapid progress which their hopes had predicted. In 
the course of the long war, the people had been greatly impoverished — their 
property had been seized for the support of both armies, and their labour 
had been much devoted to military service. The naval poweV of the enemy 
had almost annihilated their commerce ; the price of imports was enhanced, 
whilst exports were reduced much below their ordinary value. On opening 
their ports, an immense quantity of foreign merchandise was poured into, 
the country ; and the citizens were, generally, tempted by the sudden cheap- 
ness of goods, and by their own wants, to purchase far beyond their means 
of payment. Into this indiscretion they were, in some measure, beguiled, 
by their own sanguine calculations, on the rise of the value of their products, 

* The following named gentlemen were elected to Congress at the times respec- 
tively designated.^ — 

1776, November 30th, Richard Stockton, Jonathan Dickenson Sergeant, Dr. John 
Witherspoon, Abraham Clark, and Jonathan Elmer. Mr. Stockton resigned, 10th of 
February, 1777. 

1777, November 20th, Messrs. Witherspoon, Clark, and Elmer, Nathaniel Scudder, 
and Elias Boudinot. , 

1778, November 6th, Witherspoon, Scudder, Frederick Frelinghuysen, John Fell', 
and John Neilson. 

1779, November 17th. The delegates were reduced to three, and were, John Fell, 
William Churchill Houston, and Thomas Henderson. 

1780, November 23d, Witherspoon, Clark, Houston, William Patterson, and Wil- | 
liam Burnett. 

1781, November 2d, Clark, Houston, Elmer, Boudinot, and Silas Condict. 

1782, October 30th, Boudinot, Clark, Elmer, Condict, and Frelinghausen. 

1783, November 6th, Elmer, Condict, John Stephens, sen., John Beatty, and i| 
Samuel Dick. 

1784, October SHth, Houston, Beatty, Dick, Lambert Cadwallader, John Cleves i 
Symmes, and Josiah Hornblower. 

1785, October 28th, Cadwallader, Symmes, and Hornblower. 

1786, November 7th, Cadwallader, Clark, and James Schureman, 

1787, October 31st, Clark, Elmer, Patterson. 

1788, Clark, Elmer, Jonathan Dayton. 



I 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 325 

and the evidences of the pubHc debt, which were in the hands of most men. 
Extravagant estimates were made of the demand for lands, by the vast con- 
course of emigrants, which it was supposed equal liberty would bring from 
Europe ; and adverting to the advantages gained by those who purchased on 
credit, during the prevalence of paper money, many individuals made exten- 
sive purchases at very high prices. The delusions, however, were soon 
dissipated, and a greater proportion of the inhabitants found themselves in- 
volved in debts {hey were unable to discharge. One of the consequences of 
this state of things, was a general discontent with the course of trade. From 
their superior skill and capital, and free- admission to American ports, the 
British merchants had greater advantage in the American trade, than when 
the States were colonies ; whilst the navigation pf American ships to British 
ports, was prohibited, and American exports refused admission, or burdened 
with heavy duties. In the rich trade of the neighbouring colonies, the Ameri- 
cans were not permitted to participate, and in the ports of Europe they en- 
countered embarrassing regulations. From the Mediterranean, they were 
excluded by the Barbary powers, whose hostility they could not subdue, and 
whose friendship they could not purchase. 

The unpaid debt of the war was a source of great inconvenience to the 
country at home, whilst it caused ignominy and contempt abroad, from 
which there was no chance of escape, whilst the means of payment were 
derived from the State sovereignties. The debts of the union were com- 
puted to amount, on the first of January, 1783, to somewhat more than forty 
millions of dollars, which were due to three classes of highly meritorious 
creditors. ' To an ally, who, to the extensions of his arms, had added gene- 
rous loans, and liberal donations; — to individuals in Holland, who, besides 
this precious token of confidence, were members of a republic, which was 
second in espousing our rank among nations — and to the soldiers of the war, 
whose patience and services, merited any other reward, than neglect and 
procrastination of payment; and to citizens who had originally loaned their 
funds, or had become purchasers of public securities. 

This debt was due, part from the United States, and part from the individual 
States, who became immediately responsible to the creditors, retaining a claim 
against the general government, for the balance, which might appear on the 
settlement of accounts. The depreciation of the debts due from the Union, 
was consequent on its poverty, and inability to acquire funds ; whilst the de- 
preciation of the State debt, can be ascribed only to the want of confidence in 
governments controlled by no fixed principles.* In many of the States, pub- 
lic securities were sold at a discount of seventeen shillings in the pound. In 
private transactions, a great degree of distrust, also, prevailed. The bonds 
of debtors, of unquestioned solvency, were sold at fifty per cent, reduction ; 
real estate was scarce vendible, and few articles could be sold for ready 
money, unless at a ruinous loss. 

VIII. Much of the evils of this condition might have been readily re- 
moved, by an efficient general government, which could call forth and direct 
the wealth and energies of the people. But no such power could be derived 
from the loose articles of confederation, which had been, after much delay 
and reluctance, on the part of the States, finally adopted in 1781. These 
articles were laid before the Assembly of New Jersey, on the 4th of Decem- 
ber, 1777. No action was had upon them during the then session, nor 
until the 15th of June, 1778, when the joint committee reported them, with 
sundry propositions of amendment: — 1. That the delegates in Congress 

* New Jersey provided for the payment of the interest, and for the final redemption 
of her domestic debt, by taxation. 



326 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

should take an obligation to pursue the interests of the confederation, and, 
particularly, to assent to no measure which might violate it ; 2. That the 
sole and exclusive povi^er of regulating the trade of the United States w^ith 
foreign nations, should be vested in Congress ; and the revenue arising from 
the customs, should be appropriated to the establishment of a navy, and to 
other public and genei-al purposes; 3. That no body of troops should be 
kept up by the United States in time of peace, except by the assent of nine 
States; 4. That the quotas of aids and supplies from the several States 
should be settled every five years; 5. That the boundaries of the several 
States should be fully and finally established, as soon as practicable within 
five years; 6. That the vacant crown lands should be deemed the spoils of 
the war, to be applied for the general benefit ; and that whilst the jurisdiction 
of the several States was preserved with chartered or determined limits, the 
vacant lands should be vested in Congress, in trust for the United States; 
7. That the requisitions on the several States for land forces, should be ap- 
portioned to the whole of the respective population, and not to the number 
of white inhabitants only; 8. That for equitably ascertaining the quota of 
troops of each State, a census of the inhabitants should be taken every five 
years; 9, and lastly. That the provision which required the assent of nine 
out of thirteen States, in certain cases, should be so modified, that the pro- 
portion should be preserved upon an increase of the number of States. 

Although the inconvenience of amending the articles of confederation, may 
have prevented the incorporation of these propositions, it is obvious that the 
statesmen of New Jersey had foreseen and supplied the omission of many 
principles which were essential to the welfare, nay, the existence of the 
Union. At various times she enforced the propriety of the general regula- 
tion of trade, and of making the crown lands a common fund ; and, finally, 
all her suggestions were adopted in the establishment of the Union. On the 
14th of November, 1778, the Assembly, reasserting the propriety and expe- 
diency of their propositions, which they forebore to press, on account of the 
urgency of the case, and in the hope that the States would, in due time, re- 
move the existing inequality, adopted the articles of confederation. And on 
the 20th, a law authorized their delegates in Congress, to subscribe them. 

IX. The utter inefficiency of the articles of confederation, became appa- 
rent almost as soon as they were adopted, and was most conclusively exem- 
plified, in the failure of the earnest endeavour to provide for the public debt, 
made in 1783. Two parties, as we have elsewhere observed, began to per- ' 
vade the Union. One contemplated America as a nation, and laboured in-" 
cessantly to invest the federal head with powers competent to the preserva- 
tion of the Union. The other, attached to the State authorities, viewed all 
the powers of Congress with jealousy, and assented, reluctantly, to measures 
which tended to render them independent of the States. Sensible that the 
character of the government would be determined by the measures which 
should immediately follow the treaty of peace, gentlemen of distinguished 
political acquirements, among whom were some conspicuous officers of the 
late army, sought a place in the Congress of 1783. They procured the 
assent of the House, to a system, the best that circumstances would admit, 
to restore and support public credit, and to obtain from the States substantial 
means for the funding the whole debt of the nation. They proposed that 
adequate funds should be raised by duties on imports, and by internal taxes, 
for the immediate payment of the interest, and gradual extinction of the 
principal ; and that the quotas of the several States, should be determined, 
not by the value of the located lands, but by the extent of its population. It 
was proposed, also, as an amendment to the 8th article of the confederation, 
that the taxes for the use of the continent, should be levied, separately, from 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 327 

other taxes, and paid directly into the national treasury, and that the col- 
lectors should he subject and responsible to Congress. To prevent the pre- 
ference in payment, for part of the debts, which might result from a partial 
adoption of the system, it was declared, that no part of the revenue system 
should take effect, until the whole had been adopted by all the States; after 
which, the grant was to be irrevocable, except by the concurrence of the 
whole, or by a majority of the United States in Congress assembled. But to 
remove the jealousy which obstructed the grant of power, to collect an inde- 
finite sum for an indefinite time, the proposition was modified, so that the 
grant was to be limited to t\venty-five years, to be strictly appropriated to 
the debt contracted on account of the war, and collected by persons appoint- 
ed by the respective States. These resolutions were adopted on the 18th of 
April, 1783; and a committee, consisting of Mr. Madison, Mr. Hamilton, and 
Mr. Ellsworth, was appointed to recommend them by an address to the 
people, and Washington, himself, joined in this object, by a circular address- 
ed to the governors of the States, respectively.* 

While the fate of these measures remained undecided, requisitions for the 
intermediate supply of the national demands, were annually repeated, but 
annually neglected. From the first of November, 1784, to the first of Ja- 
nuary, 1786, there had been paid to the public treasury, only 482,397 dol- 
lars. Happily, a loan had been negotiated in Holland, by Mr. Adams, after 
the termination of the war, out of which the interest of the foreign debt had 
been partly paid ; but that fund was exhausted. Unable to pay the interest, 
the United States would, in the course of the succeeding year, be liable for 
the first instalment of the principal ; and the humiliation of total failure, in 
the fulfilment of her engagements, would be accompanied with no hope of 
future ability. If the condition of the domestic creditors was not absolutely 
hopeless, their prospect of puyment was so remote, that the evidences of their 
claim were transferred at a tenth of their nominal value. In a word, in 1786, 
a crisis had arrived, when the people of the United States were required to 
decide, whether, by the establishment of a secure and permanent revenue, 
and the maintenance of public faith, at home and abroad, they would sustain 
their rank as a nation. 

In the course of the year 1786, the revenue system, proposed in April, 
1783, had been adopted by every State in the Union, New York excepted. 
That State had passed an act upon the subject, but influenced by its jealousy 
of the Federal Government, had not vested in Congress the power of collect- 
ing the duties specified in their resolutions ; but had reserved to itself the 
levying of the duties according to its own laws, made the collectors answera- 
I ble only to the State, and the duties payable in State bills, which were liable 
' to depreciation. As the assent of every State was indispensable to the suc- 
cess of the plan, it was thus, wholly defeated. 

New Jersey, overshadowed by her overgrown neighbours. New York and 

j Pennsylvania, whose capitals and whose ports, made them importers, not 

only for themselves, but for her, had a grievance pecuharly her own — pay- 

I ing the duties which those States, severally, levied upon the merchandise 

I she consumed. She was, therefore, induced, by the strongest ties of interest, 

I to support the federative system, by which such duties, instead of being 

levied by individual States for their special benefit, would be received and 

expended for the general weal of the nation; and was indignant, that the 

I system had been rejected by New York. Certain resolutions, expressive 

! of her sense, upon this and other momentous subjects, were reported to the 

Assembly, by Mr. Abraham Clarke, on the 20th of February, 1786, and 

' Dated June 8th, 1783. 



328 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

afterwards embodied in instructions to her delegates in Congress, to the fol- 
lowing effect. 1 ■ /-. 

" When the revenue system of April 18th, 1783, was passed m Congress, 
we were then in hopes that our situation, between two commercial States, 
would no longer operate to our detriment ; and that, those States, and others 
in their predicament, were, at length, convinced of the selfish and palpable 
injustice of subjecting others to their exactions, and then applying those ex- 
actions to the augmentation of their respective private revenues." 

" The same contracted and destructive policy, that has long subsisted, still 
continues; and as we are convinced, that neither the public credit can be 
supported, the public debts, paid, or the existence of the Union maintained, 
without the impost revenue, in some beneficial effective manner, it has be- 
come our duty to instruct you, to vote against each and every ordinance, re- 
solution, or proceeding, whatever, which shall product any expense to New 
Jersey, for the promotion or security of the commerce of these States, or 
any of them, from which neither the Union, in general, nor this State, m 
particular, derives any advantage, until all the States shall, effectually, and 
substantially, adopt and carry into execution, the impost above mentioned. 
You will see, by the representation of this State, June 25th, 1778, that the 
Legislature have, uniformly, held the same justice of sentiment, respecting 
the vacant or crown lands ; relative to which, you are instructed— to vote 
against every proceeding, which shall tend to charge this State with any 
expense for acquiring, gaining possession of, or defending such territory, 
claimed by, or which is to accrue to, the exclusive benefit of any particular 
State or States, and not the Union at large." 

" The Lecrislature has beheld, with much concern, gratuitous advances ot 
money and partial payments, made by Congress, to importunmg creditors 
and others, not regulated by any general and equal system, which not only 
impoverish the treasury, but produce discontents, and furnish bad precedents. 
You are, therefore, instructed not to assent to any such payments, or to the 
payment of any particular debts, other than foreign loans, in preference to 
others of a like nature, whereby a discrimination of creditors may take place. 
It were well if the public could pay all, promptly, but as that is impractica- 
ble, it is absolutely necessary, to act upon settled uniform plans, in paymg 
as far as the revenue can extend." ' , , . 

The Assembly, also, resolved, for these reasons, "that they could not, 
consistently with the duty they owed to their constituents, comply with the 
requisition of Congress of the 27th of September, 1785, or any other of a 
similar nature, requiring specie contributions, until all the States in the 
Union should comply with the requisition of April, 1783, or at least, until 
the several States, having the advantage of commerce, which they now enjoy, 
solely from the joint exertions of the United States, shall forbear exactmg 
duties upon merchandise, for the particular benefit of their respective States, 
thereby drawing revenues from other States, whose local situation and cir- 
cumstances, would not admit their enjoying similar advantages from com- 

This resolution proved so embarrassing to Congress, that a committee was 
appointed from that body, personally, to remonstrate with the Legislature ol 
New Jersey, and to endeavour to procure its repeal. Whereupon, tne 
House resolved, that "being willing to remove, as far as in their power, 
every embarrassment, from the councils of the Union, and that the failure ol 
supplies from temporary demands, though clearly evinced from experience, 
may not be imputed to the State of New Jersey, only, the resolution ol the 
twentieth of February, should be rescinded." Thus disappointed in procuring 
an equalization of the customs, the State, from the many petitions upon this 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 329 

subject, seems to have prepared itself for the estabUshment of a tariff of 
duties, upon all goods imported from the adjacent States. A measure which 
could have resulted only in awakening dangerous feuds with her neighbours, 
and in the greater oppression of her own citizens. 

X. To relieve the pecuniary distress which weighed upon this State, in 
common with the rest of the Union, the Legislature resorted to the old expe- 
dient of issuing bills of credit, and lending them upon mortgage, through 
loan offices, established in the several counties. A bill for striking and 
making current, one hundred .thousand pounds, was passed by the Assem- 
bly, in March, 1786, but was rejected in Council. The cries of the people, 
however, were too general and loud, to be thus disregarded; and a special 
session of the Legislature Avas holden on the 17th of May, following, when 
the bill passed both Houses. 

XL To increase the gloom which hung over the Union, difficulties had 
arisen relative to the execution of the treaty with Great Britain, which had 
been broken by both parties. The British had not delivered up, nor paid for, 
the slaves of the southern planters, nor surrendered the military posts upon 
the borders. Nor had the United States complied with the 4th, 5th, and 6th 
articles, containing agreements respecting the payment of private debts, due 
the British merchants, the confiscation of property, and the prosecution of 
individuals, for the part taken by them, during the war. Complaints were 
also, made, of British encroachments on the territory of the United States, 
from the eastern frontier. But the cause of the greatest disquiet, was the 
, rigorous commercial system, pursued by Great Britain. To settle these 
vexatious questions, Mr. John Adams was, in February, 1785, appointed 
plenipotentiary of the United States to the British court. His efforts to give 
reciprocity and stability to the commercial relations, between the two coun- 
tries, were unavailing ; the cabinet of London declining negotiation with a 
government, which was unable to secure the observance of any general re- 
gulation, and to make the obligations of a treaty reciprocal. 

XIL AH these circumstances rendered a modification of the compact be- 
tween the States, not only desirable, but inevitable, if their union was to be 
preserved. The immediate .measures leading to a change, commenced in 
Virginia. On the 21st of January, 1786, a resolution was adopted in the 
Legislature of that State, appointing commissioners " to meet such as might 
be appointed by the other States in the Union, at a time and place to be 
agreed on, to take into consideration the trade of the United States ; to ex- 
amine the relative situation and trade of the said States ; to consider how far 
. a uniform system in their commercial relations may be necessary to their 
common interests, and their present harmony, and to report to the several 
States, such an act, relative to this great object, as when unanimously rati- 
fied by them, will enable the United States, in Congress assembled, effectu- 
ally, to provide for the same." In the circular letter transmitting these 
resolutions to the respective States, Annapolis, in Maryland, was proposed 
as the place, and the ensuing September as the time, of meeting. 

This resolution was submitted to the Legislature of New Jersey, on the 
14th of March, 1786, and concurred in, a few days after. On the 21st, in 
joint meeting, Messrs. Abraham Clarke, William C. Houston, and James 
Schureman, were appointed delegates to the convention at Annapolis. 

But five States,* only, were represented, on this important occasion. The 
delegates having appointed Mr. John Dickinson their chairman, proceeded to 
discuss the objects of their convention; when they soon perceived, that more 
ample powers were requisite to effect their contemplated purpose. They 

* New Yorkj New Jersey, PennDylvania, Delaware, and Maryland 
2 T 



330 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

rose, therefore, without coming to any resolution, save that ol' recommend- 
ing, to the several States, the necessity of extending the revision of the 
federal system, to all its defects, and the appointment of deputies for that 
purpose, to meet in convention, in the city of Philadelphia, on the second day 
of the ensuing May. 

This proposition was .variously received, in accordance with the temper of 
the several parties in the Union. Those v/ho sought the energetic govern- 
ment of monarchy, and those who earnestly desired to break up the old con- 
federation, believed, that the public affairs had not yet reached their worst 
state — that state which woidd compel a change ; and, therefore, they looked 
coldly upon it. Others deemed the mode of calling the convention, irregular; 
whilst others objected to it, because it gave no authority to the plan, which 
should be devised. But its most active opponents were the devotees of state 
sovereignty, who deprecated any considerable augmentation ol" federal power. 
The ultimate decision of the States, in favour of the proposition, is supposed 
to have been produced, by the commotions which at that time agitated all 
New England, and particularly Massachusetts. Congress was restrained 
from giving its sanction to the measure, by an apprehension, that their action 
upon it would impede, rather than promote, it. From this fear, they were 
relieved by the Legislature of New York, which, by a majority of one voice, 
only, instructed its delegation to move in Congress, a resolution, recommend- 
ing to the several States, to appoint deputies to meet in convention, for the 
purpose of revising, and proposing amendments to, the federal constitution. 
On the 21st of February, 1787, the day succeeding the instructions given by 
New York, Congress resolved it " to be expedient, that on the second Mon- 
day in May next, a convention of delegates, who shall have been appointed- 
by the several States, be held at Philadelphia, for the sole and express pur- 
pose of revising the articles of confederation, and reporting to Congress, and 
the several Legislatures, such alterations and provisions, therein, as shall, 
when agreed to, in Congress, and confirmed by the States, render the federal 
constitution adequate to the exigencies of government, and the preservation 
of the Union." • . . 

On the 24th of November, 1786, New Jersey had approved the measurfe, 
and nominated David Brearley, William C. Houston, William Patterson, and 
John Neilson, commissioners on her part; to whom she afterwards added; 
Governor Livingston, and Abraham Clark, on the 19th of May, 1787, 
(omitting the name of Mr. Nielsen,} and Jonathan Dayton, on the 7th of ' 
June. 

XIII. The representatives of twelve States convened at the time and place 
appointed ; Rhode Island, alone, having refused to send deputies. Having, 
unanimously, chosen General Washington their president, they proceeded 
with closed doors, to discuss the interesting subject submitted to them. Upon 
the great principles of the system, not much contrariety of opinion is under- 
stood to have prevailed ; but the various and intricate modifications of those 
principles, presented much difficulty. More than once, there was reason lo 
fear, that the convention would rise without effecting the object for which it 
was formed. Happily, the advantages of the Union triumphed over local 
interests. And at length, on the 17th of September, the constitution of the 
United States of America, was given to the world. ' , 

Although earnestly devoted to the establishment of a strong and permanent 
government for the Union, New Jersey was anxious to preserve the origing,! 
equality of the States, which had given to each, in Congress, before and af!er 
the adoption of the articles of confederation, a voice alike potential. The 
pretension was unjust, considering the United States as composed of one 
people, but had a colour of propriety when they were viewed as a confede- 



HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 331 

ration of independent States. The " New Jersey plan," as it was termed, 
was proposed by Mr. Patterson, and sustained by the delegates of New Jersey, 
Connecticut, Delaware, and in part of Maryland. To its introduction we, 
probably, owe that provision of the constitution of the United States, which 
gave from the several States, an equal representation in the Senate.* 

The convention directed the result of their labours to be laid before Con- 
gress; and that it should afterwards be submitted to a convention of dele- 
gates, chosen in each State by the people, thereof, under the recommendation 
•of its Legislature, for their assent and ratification ; and that so soon as the 
qoBventions of nine States should have ratified it, it should be carried into 
operation by Congress, in a mode prescribed. 

When submitted to the people, the merits of this constitution were fully 
and rigorously discussed, not only in the several conventions, but in the 
periodical papers of the day. The federal, and the State-right parties, which 
<iivided the country, maintained their views with equal zeal; but the first, 
after an arduous struggle, prevailed. In producing this result, Messrs. 
Madison, Jay, and Hamilton, were among the most efficient and distinguish- 
ed agents, and their essays under the title of the Federalist, form a valua- 
ble treatise on government, which must continue to be the text book for, at 
least, the statesmen of North America. 

So balanced were the parties in some of the States, that even after the 
constitution had been long discussed, its fate could scarcely be conjectured; 
and so small in many instances, was the majority in its favour, as to afford 
ground to believe, that had the influence of character been removed, the 
merits of the instrument would not have secured its adoption. And in some 
of the adopting States, a majority of the people are supposed to have been op- 
posed to it. The commissioners of New Jersey, reported to the Assembly 
-the proceedings of the Convention, on the 25th of October, 1787. And Con- 
gress having unanimously resolved, that the constitution be transmitted to 
the several States, for consideration, the House, unanimously, on the 29th of 
October, recommended, such inhabitants of the State as were entitled to vote 
for representatives in the General Assembly, to elect on the fourth Tuesday 
of November, from each county, three delegates to a convention, to meet at 
Trenton, on the second Tuesday of December, to consider, and if approved, 
to ratify, the constitution. 

The State Convention met on the 11th of December, 1787, and. chose 
John Stephens, president, and Samuel Witham Stockton, secretary. After 
establishing rules for its government, it resolved, " that the federal constitu- 

'' The plan of Mr. Patterson contemplatod the amendment of the articles of confede- 
ration — Ry vesting in Congress power — To raise a revenue by duties on imposts, 
stamps, and postage — To regulate trade and commerce with foreign nations, and be- 
tween the States; all punishments, fines, forfeitures, and penalties, to be adjudged by 
the common law judiciary of the State, in which the offence should be committed, 
subject to an appeal to the judiciary of the United States — To make requisitions upon 
the several States, in proportion to the whole number of inhabitants, including those 
bound to servitude for a term of years, and three-fiftlis of slaves; and in case of non- 
compliance, to direct the collection of the same — To elect a Federal Executive to con- 
sist of several persons, paid by Congress, having power to appoint all Federal officers, 
&e. — To establish a Federal Judiciary, consisting of a supreme tribunal, appointed by 
the Executive, during good behaviour, to have original jurisdiction in case of im- 
■ peachment, and appellate jurisdiction in cases relating to ambassadors, captures, 
piracy and felony on the sea — To impose an oath of fidelity, «fcc. on all officers — To 
make the Federal laws and treaties the supreme laws of the land, and to call forth the 
military powers of the confederated States, to enforce such laws — To provide for the 
admission of new States into the Union — To provide for deciding upon all disputes 
between the United States and an individual State, respecting territory — To make a 
uniform rule of naturalization, «fec. &c. 



332 HISTORY OF NEW JERSEY. 

tion.be read, by sections, and that, as so read, every member make his obser- 
vations thereon; that after debating such section, the question be taken, 
whether further debate be had thereon ; and if determined in the negative, 
that the convention proceed in like manner to the next section, until the 
vv^hole be gone through; upon which the general question shall be taken. 
Whether the Convention in the name, and on behalf of the people of this 
State, do ratify and confirm the said constitution ?" And on Tuesday, the 
18th of December, the constitution was, unanimously, adopted, without a sin- 
gle amendment. On the 19th, the members of the Convention went in 
solemn procession, to the Court House, where the ratification was publicly' 
read to the people.* ' 

The twelve articles of amendment, which were proposed and adopted, at 
the first session of the first Congress, were ratified by this State, by an act 
passed on the 20th of November, 1789. That the happiness of all the citi- 
zens of the United States has been promoted and secured, by the Federal 
Constitution, admits not of doubt. But, to New Jersey, especially, that in- 
strument brought peace, protection and prosperity. Condemned, by circum- 
stances, which she could not control, to abandon all prospect of foreign com- 
merce, she would have been dependant upon New York on the east, and 
Pennsylvania on the west, for her supplies of foreign merchandise. For so 
valuable a customer, those States would, probably, have contended between 
themselves ; and the inhabitants on the shores of the Delaware and its tribu- 
taries, would have made common interest with Philadelphia, whilst those on 
the banks of the Hudson and the sea coast, would have been controlled by 
the merchants of New York. Less causes have divided States, have given 
birth to civil wars, followed by the subjection of the country. New Jersey 
might have become the prize for which her great neighbours would have re- 
sorted to arms ; and her greatest happiness might have been, to be conquered 
by the strongest. 

From the dread of these evils, the Union has, happily, delivered her, and 
left her at perfect liberty to pursue, with unerring certainty, the welfare of 
her citizens. Debarred from foreign commerce, she has turned her pro- 
vidence to agriculture and manufactures. For the first, the diversity of her 
soils is admirably adapted. For the second, her mines and her streams have 
fitly prepared her. From both, she has continued to derive, abundantly, 
morals, wealth, and happiness. Since the adoption of the Federal Constitu- 
tion, few subjects of historical interest have occurred, — public business has 
flowed in a silent and tranquil stream, and individual prosperity has been un- 
interrupted. The fondest wish of the patriot heart, must be, that the Union, 
the Federal Constitution, and the weal of the State, which are inseparable, 
may, also, be perpetual. 

* New Jersey was the third State to ratify the constitution, being preceded only 
by Delaware, on the 7th, and Pennsylvania, on the 12th, of December. 



APPE]^DIX. 



NOTE A.— Page 6. 

The Hudson and Delaware rivers have been known under various names, by the 
aborigines and the whites. Thus, tlie Hudson was called Manahatta, from an In- 
dian nation near its mouth. Makakaneghtac , or Mohican-nittuck, and Mohegan, from 
the Mohicans; Shdttcmuck, perhaps a corruption of the preceding; and Colictaba, by 
the Iroquois. The Dutch and English termed it the North, to distinguish it from 
the Delaware, or South river. Tlie Dutch also called it Mauritius river, in honour 
of Prince Maurice. The Spaniards are supposed to have called it Riviere de Mon- 
tagues, from the Highlands through which it passes. 

The Delaware, among the natives, was known as the Poutaxat, Marisqueton, 
Maker iskitton, and Maker isk-kiskon, and Lenapc-wihittuck, stream of the Lenape. 
By the Dutch it was called Zuydt, or South, Nassau, Prince Kendrick's, or Charles' 
river; and by the English, the Delaware. The derivation of the last name is 
doubtful. Campanius says it was so named, from Mons. De la Warre, a captain 
under Chartier; and that it was discovered in 1600; whilst Stith informs us, that 
Thomas West, Lord Delaware, discovered and gave it his name, in 1610, and that 
he died opposite its mouth, on a second voyage to Virginia, in 161S. In Heylin's 
Cosmography, originally written in 164S, but continued by Edward Bohun to 1703, 
this river is called Arasapha. 

NOTE B.— Page 18. 

The description given by Plantagenet, w^s doubtless very enticing, and it would 
seem that the country had been pretty well explored, since he speaks familiarly of 
" iron stone, and by it, waters and falls, to drive iron-works, in an uninhabited de- 
sert." He speaks also, of lions, for which probably the panthers were taken. On re- 
ligious subjects, the views of the projectors were liberal for the age, since there was 
to be "no persecution to any dissenting; and to all such, as to the Walloons, in 
Holland, free chapels; and to punish all as seditious, and for contempt, as bitter rail, 
and condemn others of the contrary." 

f NOTE C— Page 34. 

There is a singular pleasure in contrasting the order and moral beauty which has 
arisen from the chaotic materials of primitive Quakerism. To the philosophic mind, 
the dependence on the divine light loifMn, as the guide of moral action, is little else 
than an abandonment of the understanding to every capricious impulse, and " wind 
of doctrine." Intense zeal has but two modes of expending itself — by action 
upon others, or upon ourselves. In the first case, its fruits are, commonly, active 
force and oppression, of which the history of every sect, is but too full of ex- 
ample; and in the second, it is passive resistance, whose reaction is equal to any 
power that can be brought to bear upon it. But this species of force requires the 
homogeneity and condensation of the parts of the suffering body. These were given 
by the establishment of the " discipline" of the Quakers, providing practical rules 
of action for life, and requiring the assent of a large portion of the society, to all 
public demonstrations of its faith and doctrines; whilst, at the same time, watchful 
■guardians observed and regulated, by timely monition, the walking of the brethren. 
In these causes, of which the peculiarity of garb, the Quaker uniform, is but part, 
lay the strength of the society. The persecution it sustained, was an exterior force 
aiding its integrity and preservation, and v.'ithout which, it is possible, the society 
cannot resist the centrifugal power of the imoard divine light. For, when that 
ceased, a disintegration commenced, which has already produced a broad separation 
6f the parts, and may ultimately resolve the whole bod}' into primitive monads. 



334 APPENDIX. 

From the writings of modern historians, and apologists of Quakerism, we migl 
suppose, that none of the Quakers, who were imprisoned by the magistrates, at tlf 
period, had been accused of aught but the profession of their peculiar doctrines, n 
attendance at their peculiar places of worship. But very different causes of theii 
imprisonment, have been transmitted to us, even by the sufferers themselves, and 
which leave it questionable whether the greatest wrong they sustained, was not the 
committal to the gaol, instead of the lunatic hospital. These sectarians, who have- 
always professed and inculcated the maxims of inviolable peace, who not man\ 
years after their association, were accounted philosophical deists, seeking to pav<- 
tlie way to a sclieme of natural religion, by allegorizing the distinguishing article;- 
of the Christian faith, and who are, now, in general, remarkable for calm benevo- 
lence, and peculiar remoteness from active efforts to make proselytes, were, in their 
infancy, the most impetuous zealots, and inveterate disputers. In their eagerness 
to convict the world, and to bear witness from the fountain of oracular testimony, 
which they supposed to reside within them, against a regular ministry, which they 
called a priesthood of Baal, and against the sacraments, which they termed carnal 
and idolatrous observances, many committed the most revolting blasphemy, inde- 
cency, and disorderly outrage. 

We refer our readers, on this subject, to Sewal's History, Howell's State Trials, 
vol. V. p. 801 — vol. vi. p. 998 ; Hume's History of England, vol. vii. p. 336 ; Beese's 
" Collection of the Sufferings of the People called Quakers;" Fox's Journal, &c. 

NOTE D.— Page 37. 
The being a party to this agreement, constitution, or concessions, confers an 
honour upon a descendant, of which many inhabitants of New Jersey may now just- 
ly boast. The names of the signers, one hundred and fifty in number, may be found 
in the Appendix to Smith's History, page 538, and Leaming and Spicer's Collec- 
tion, page 409. 

NOTE E.— Page 38. 

Thomas Hutchinson, of Beverley ; Thomas Pierson, of Bonwicke, yeoman ; Jo- 
seph Helmsly, of Great Kelke, yeoman; George Hutchinson, of Sheffield, distiller; 
and Mahlon Stacy, of Hansworth, tanner; all of the county of York, were principal 
creditors of E. Byllinge, to whom several of the other creditors made assignments of " 
their debts, which together amounted to the sum of £2450 sterling, and who took 
in satisfaction, seven full, equal and undivided ninetieth parts of ninety equal and 
undivided hundred parts of West Jersey ; and the same was conveyed to them, 
their heirs and assigns, by William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas, and E. 
Byllinge, by deed, bearing date, the first of the month called March, 1676: And by 
another conveyance of the same date, from and to the same persons, in satisfaction 
for other debts, to the amount of £1050 sterling, three other full, equal and un- 
divided ninetieth parts of the aforesaid ninety equal and undivided hundred parts of 
West Jersey, were also conveyed^-^Smith's Hist. New Jersey, p. 92, n. 

NOTE F.— Page 39. 
Among these first settlers of Burlington, were Thomas Olive, Daniel Wills, Wil- 
liam Peachy, William Clayton, John Crips, Thomas Eves, Thomas Harding, Thomas 
Nositer, Thomas Farnworth, Morgan Drewet, William Pennton, Henry Jennings, , 
William Hibes, Samuel Lovett, John Woolston, William Woodmaney, Christopher! 
Saunders, and Robert Powell. John Wilkinson and William Perkins were with i 
their families, passengers, but dying on the voyage, the latter were duly protected, 
and aided by their fellow passengers. Perkins became a Quaker, early in life, and 
lived well in Leiceslersliire; but, in the fifty-second year of his age, was induced, 
by a favourable account of New Jersey, written by Richard Hartshorne, to embark' 
with his wife, four children, and some servants. Among the last, was one Mar- 
shall, a carpenter, whose services were most useful in setting up the habitations of 
the new comers. 

NOTE G.— Page 40. 

In the Wdlhiff Mind came James Nevill, Henry Salter, George Deacon, and other 

families; in the Martha, Thomas Wright, William Goforth, John Lynara, Edward 

Season, William Black, Richard Dungworth, George Miles, William Wood,Thomasi 






APPENDIX. 335 

Schooley, Richard Harrison, Thomas Hooten, Samuel Taylor, Marinaduke Horse- 
man, William Oxley, William Lex, Nathaniel Luke, the families of Robert Stacy, 
and Samuel Odas, and Thomas Ellis, and John Barts, servants sent by George 
Hutchinson. Letters from the first emigrants, from John Cripps, Thomas Hooten, 
William Clark, and others, to their friends in England, descriptive of the richness 
and capabilities of the soil, abundance of game and fruits, temperature of the 
climate, excellence of the water, and kindness of the aborigines, induced many to 
emigrate. In The Shield, came William Emley, the second time, with his wife, two 
children, one born by the way, two men, and two women servants; Mahlon Stacy, 
his wife, children, and several servants, men and women; Thomas Lambert, his wife, 
children, and several men and women servants ; John Lambert and servant; Thomas 
Revell, his wife, children, and servants; Godfrey Hancock, his wife, children, and 
servants; Thomas Potts, his wife, and children; John Wood and four ciiildren; 
Thomas Wood, wife, and children; Robert Murfin, his wife, and two children; 
Robert Schooley, his wife, and children; James Pharo, wife, and children; Susan- 
nah Farnsworth, her children, and two servants; Richard Tattersal, his wife, and 
children; Godfrey Newbold, John Dewsbury ; Richard Green, Peter and John 
Fretwell ; John Newbold; one Barns, a merchant from Hull, Francis Barwick, 
George Parks, George Hill, John Heyres, and several more. 

In the ship from London, 1(J78, came John Denn, Thomas Kent, John Hollins- 
head, with their families; William Hewlings, Abraham Hewlings, Jonathan Eld- 
ridge, John Petty, Thomas Kirby, with others : the first of these settled about Salem, 
the rest at Burlington. About tliis time, and a few years afterwards, arrived at 
Burlington, the following settlers from England, viz. John Butcher, Henry Grubb, 
William Butcher, William Brightwin, Thomas Gardner, John Budd, John Bourten, 
Seth Smith, Walter Pumphrey, Thomas Ellis, Jaijies Satterthwaite, Richard Arnold, 
John Woolman, John Stacy, Thomas Eves, Benjamin Duffeld, John Payne, Samuel 
Cleft, William Cooper, John Shinn, William Biles, John Skein, John Warrel, An- 
thony Morris, Samuel Bunting, Charles Read, Francis Collins, Thomas Mathews, 
Christopher Wetherill, John Dewsbury, John Day, Richard Basnett, John Antrem, 
William Biddle, Sanmel Furnace, John Ladd, Thomas Raper, Roger Huggins, and 
Thomas Wood. 

About this time also, arrived John Kinsey. His father, one of the commissioners, 
dying on his arrival, the charge of the family fell upon him. He and his son be- 
came much distinguished in the province, holding many public stations. The latter 
died chief justice of Pennsylvania. 

NOTE H.— Page 43. 

The names of this Assembly and Council, and the forms of their engagements, 
may be seen in Leaming and Spicer's Collection of Grants, &c. p. 456. 

NOTE I.— Page 46. 

V 

We purposed to reprint here, the act relating to the Confession of Faith ; but our 
space does not permit it. It will be found in Leaming and Spicer's Collection, 
p. 548. 

NOTE K.— Page 48. 

The salary of the Governor was, generally, fifty pounds a year, paid in country 
produce, at prices fixed by law, and sometimes, four shillings a day besides, to defray 
the charges while a session was held : the wages of the Council and Assembly, during 
the sitting in legislation, was, to each member, three shillings a day : the rates for pub- 
lic charges, were levied at two shillings a head, for every male above fourteen years. 
In 1668 the council consisted of six, viz. Nicholas Verlet, Robert Bond, Robert 
Vanquellin, Daniel Price, Samuel Edsall, and William Pardon ; the Assembly of 
twelve, viz. Casper Steenmets, Baltazar Bayard for Bergen, John Ogden, senior, 
I John Brackett for Elizabeth town, Robert Treat and Samuel Swame for Newark, 
I John Bishop and Robert Dennis for Woodbridge, James Grover and John Bound 
for Middletown and Shrewsbury. 

NOTE L.— Page 51. 
It is not difficult to understand hov.- a friendly intercourse originated between 
the leading persons among the Quakers, and Charles II. and his brother. The 



336 APPENDIX. 

Quakers desired to avail themselves of the authority of the King, for the establish- 
ment of a general toleration, and for their own especial defence against the enmity 
and dislike of their numerous adversaries. The King and his brother regarded, 
with great benevolence, the principles of non-resistance, professed by Friends, and 
found in them, the only class of Protestants, who could be rendered instrumental to 
their design of re-establishing Popery, by the preparatory measure of generaltole- 
ration. But how the friendly relation tlius created, between the royal brothers, and 
such men as Penn and Barclay, should have continued to exist, uninterrupted by 
all the tyranny and treachery which the reigns of these princes disclosed, is a diffi- 
culty which their contemporaries were unable to solve, otherwise than by consider- 
ing the Quakers, as at bottom, the votaries of Popery and arbitrary power. The 
more modern and juster, as well as more charitable censure is, that they were dupes 
of kingly courtesy, craft, and dissimulation. They endeavoured to make an instru- 
ment of the King ; while he permitted therli to flatter themselves with this hope, that 
he might avail himself of tiieir instrumentalitj'^, for the aceomplishment of his own 
designs. — Grahame's Col. Hist. 

NOTE M.— Page 51. 

By recurring to the letters of Rudyard, first deputy-governor of East Jersey, 
Samuel Groome, surveyor, Lawrie, deputy-governor, John Barclay, and Arthur 
Forbes, to the proprietaries in London, the reader will perceive how strong and 
favourable were the impressions on the minds of the first settlers, in relation to the 
country. See Smith's Hist. New Jersey, from page 168 to 188. 

NOTE N.— Page 55. 

The counsellors named in the instructions .were Edward Hunlake, Lewis Morris, 
Andrew Bowne, Samuel Jennings, Thomas Revel, Francis Davenport, William 
Pinhorne, Samuel Leonard, George Deacon, Samuel Walker, Daniel Leeds, Wil- 
liam Sanford, and Robert Quarry. Quarry was said to be of the Cvouncil of five 
governments at one time; viz. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, 
and Virginia. He died about the year 1712. — Smith, p. 231, w. 

NOTE O.— Page QQ. 

A dispute was long pending between the general proprietors and the inhabitants 
of Newark, relating to lands included within the bounds of three Indian purchases, 
called the Mountain, the Horse Neck, and Van Gieson's. After several suits at 
law and equity, the contest was referred to arbitrators, mutually chosen by the 
parties, who awarded in favour of the general proprietors. Some of the defendants, 
dissatisfied with the award, endeavoured to excite the others to further contest, 
gave occasion for the letter of Mr. Ogden, who was council for the proprietors. 
His clear and satisfactory exposition of the case, most probably prevented a conti- 
nuation of the controversy. We find the letter too long to be copied. It may be 
seen in a small pamphlet, in the Philadelphia Library, as noted, at page 66 of the ' 
text. 

NOTE P.— Page 77. 

The curious reader will find at the end of vol. iv. of the printed Minutes of the 
Assembly, in the State Library, at Trenton, a MSS. " table of the sittings of Assem- 
bly, from tlie surrender, in the year 1702, to the revolution, in 1776, with the names 
of the governors and speakers;" and also, "a list of the members of Assembly^? 
during the same period." 

NOTE Q.— Page 81. 
Names of the Legislative Council, in 1707, Richard Ingoldsby, lieutenant- 
governor, William Pinhorne, R. Mompesson, Thomas Revell, Daniel Leeds, Daniel 
Coxe, Richard Townly, Robert Quarry, and William Sandford. 

NOTE R.— Page 82. 

This illness of Jennings proved mortal, after a year's duration. He was a zealous 

minister among " Friends;" and upon all occasions took an active part in public 

affairs, in which he was alike distinguished by ability and integrity. His warm and 

sanguine temperament, was ordinarily controlled by a sound and experienced judg- 



APPENDIX. 337 

ment; but it sometimes betrayed him into hasty and passionate conduct, ol' which 
his treatment to Keith, the apostate Quaker, whilst on trial before the court at 
Philadelphia, was a remarkable instance, and perhaps justified the charge made by 
the schismatic, that " he was too high and imperious, in worldly courts." He was 
an ardent lover of liberty, and firm and fearless in its defence. And though hia 
manners were stern and severe, he was always sought by the people when impor- 
tant services were required. Twenty -eight years of his life were devoted to public 
employment; part of which, in Philadelphia. In private life, says Smith, " alive 
to the more generous emotions of a mind formed to benevolence, and acts of human- 
ity, he was a friend to the widow, the fatherless, and the unhappy; tender, compas- 
sionate, disinterested, and with great opportunities, he left but a small estate; 
abhorring oppression in every shape, his whole conduct, a will to relieve and be- 
friend mankind, far above the littleness of party and sinister views. He left three 
daughters, who intermarried with three brothers, by the name of Stevenson, whose 
posterity reside in New Jersey and Pennsylvania." 

Thomas Gordon, his successor, was intimately connected with the proprietaries of 
East Jersey, before the surrender of the government in 1702. In 1697-8, he was 
deputy-secretary, and register of the province, and one of the council; and in 1702, 
on the removal of William Dockwra, he was appointed principal secretary. He 
was several years a representative in the Assembly, after the surrender; was 
treasurer for the eastern divison of the province, and distinguished in Perth Amboy 
as a pious member and liberal patron of the Episcopal church. He died on the 28th 
of April, 1722, aged seventy years. A tomb-stone in the grave-yard of St. Peter's 
church, at Amboy, with a long Latin inscription, commemorates his virtues. 

NOTE S.— Page 83. 
The Assembly of New York adopted resolutions, declaring, that the levying 
money on her Majesty's subjects of the colony, under any pretence, without the 
consent of the General Assembly, was a violation of the people's property; and 
that the freemen of the colony had an unquestionable, perfect and entire property 
in their goods and estate. We recognise here, the principles which subsequently 
led to the revolution. The Assembly, also, denounced the practice of Cornbury, in 
levying imposts on trade, and establishing fees without the sanction of law. 

NOTE T.— Page 86. 

The members of Council named in the instructions of Governor Hunter, were 
Lewis Morris, William Pinhorne, George Deacon, Richard Townley, Daniel Coxe, 
Roger Mompesson, Peter Sonmans, Hugh Huddy, William Hall, Thomas Gordon, 
Thomas Gardiner, Colonel Robert Quarry. The Queen, on the receipt of the re- 
monstrance of the Assembly, appointed John Anderson, Elisha Parker, Thomas 
Byerly, John Hamilton, and John Reading; removing Pinhorne, Coxe, Sonmans, 
and Hall. 

NOTE U.— Page 94. 
We give the following abstract from the minutes of the Assembly, indicative of 
the spirit of the times, and exemplifying the matter which occasionally occupied 
the Legislature. On the 24th of January, 1719, the House appointed a committee 
to inquire into certain printed libels, and personal abuse against its members. One 
Benjamin Johnson, of Monmouth, had said to William Lawrence, a member from 
that county, " You Lawrence, are a pitiful pimping fellow, and have been false to 
your trust in the Assembly." On the complaint of Lawrence, Johnson was ordered 
into arrest by the House ; but he avoided its displeasure by absconding. A passage 
in Titan Leeds' Almanac, for 1718, was voted libellous, and the author and printer 
were ordered into the custody of the sergeant-at-arms. Leeds was apprehended ; 
but we do not know how punished. Two pamphlets, one entitled, " A further dis- 
covery of the mystery of trade, proposed by A B," and the other, " Proposals for traffic 
and commerce in New Jersey," were also declared to be libellous, the books con- 
demned to be burned- by the common hangman, and a reward offered for the appre- 
hension of the authors. William Sandford and Thomas Buskirk, Esq. of Bergen 
county, were arrested on the speaker's warrant, for having reported, that Mr. Philip 
Schuyler, a member of the House, " had drank a health to the damnation of the go- 
vernor and the justices of the peace." Sandford admitted and justified the declara- 

2U 



338 APPENDIX. 

tioni producing the affidavit of the coroner of the county, to the uttering of the 
words by Schuyler. Schuyler denied the words, but said, that he had quarrelled 
with the coroner, and had kicked him. Whereupon, the House gave the member 
permission to withdraw and go home, that he might procure evidence to disprove 
the charge thus brought against him. Sandford and Buskirk were discharged from 
custody. A copy of the affidavit was denied to Schuyler. Subsequently, the coro- 
ner was required to name the persons present, when the offensive words were 
alleged to have been uttered. These persons having no remembrance of the words, 
Schuyler was acquitted by a solemn vote, and permitted again to take his seat. But 
the proceedings against Sandford and Buskirk were not renewed. 

NOTE v.— Page 97. 
The members of council, named in the instructions of Governor Burnet, were 
Lewis Morris, Thomas Gordon, John Anderson, John Hamilton, Thomas Byerly, 
David Lyell, John Parkef7 John Wills, John Hugg, John Johnson, junior, John 
Reading, and Peter Bard. 

NOTE W.— Page 105. 

We refer the reader to Sparks' Life of Governeur Morris, for a full account of 
this family, which has been distinguished for so many years in New York and New 
Jersey. 

NOTE Z.— Page 121. 

" It was rumoured at an early period, that Braddock had been shot by his men. 
More recently, it has been stated, by one who could not be mistaken, that in the 
course of the battle, Braddock ordered the provincial troops to form a column. They, 
however, adhered to the Indian mode of firing, severally, from the shelter of the 
trees. Braddock, in his vexation, rode up to a young man by the name of Fawcett, 
and with his sword, rashly cut him down. Thomas Fawcett, a brother of the killed, 
soon learned his fate, and watching his opportunity, revenged his brother's blood, 
by shooting Braddock, mortally, through the body. Thomas Fawcett dwelt near 
Laurel Hill, Pennsylvania, until above ninety-seven years of age." — Register of 
Pennsylvania, by S. Hazard, Jan. 28th, 1828. 

NOTE AA.— Page 140. 
The following abstract from the address of Mr. Speaker Ogden to the House, ex- 
hibits, strongly, the state of the public feeling. " I am so unhappy as to find, that 
my conduct, which was the consequence of this opinion, formed on the most deli- 
berate, impartial, and disinterested reasoning on the subject, has been put in an un- 
favourable light, and has made me the object of too general a resentment ; I trust, 
that Providence will, in due time, make the rectitude of my heart, and my inviola- 
ble affection to my country, appear in a fair light to the world, and that my sole aim 
was the happiness of New Jersey. But, as at present, there appears a great dissatis- 
faction at my conduct, that has spread even among some of my constituents, whom 
I have served many years in General Assembly, to the utmost of my abilities, I beg 
leave of the House, to resign my seat in it, whereby my constituents may have an op- 
portunity of sending another person in my room, who may act more agreeable to 
their present sentiments : though I am well assured, that no person can be found, 
who will study their welfare more sincerely, nor pursue it with more steadiness and 
integrity than I have done." — Votes of Assembly. Mr. Stephen Crane was elected 
in the place of Mr. Ogden. 

NOTE BB.— Page 152. 

The suit instituted, if any, against the treasurer, Stephen Skinner, was never 
brought to trial. He adhered to the British in the revolutionary war, and all his i 
property in New Jersey, was confiscated and sold for the benefit of the State. 

NOTE CC— Page 164. 

List of deputies in the provincial Congress, May, June, and August, 1775. 

Bergen County, John Fell, John Demarest, Hendrick Kuyper, Abraham Van Bus- 
kirk, Edw. Merselius. Essex, Henry Garritse, Michael Vreeland, Robert Drum- 
mond, John Berry, William P. Smith, John Stiles, John Chetwood, Abraham Clark, 
Elias Boudinot, Isaac Ogden, Philip Van-Cortlandt, Bethuel Pier.son, Caleb Camp. ■ 
Middlesex, Nathaniel Heard, William Smith, John Dunn, John Lloyd, Azfwiah Dun- 



APPENDIX. 339 

ham, John Schurman, John Wetherill, David Williamson, Jonathan Sergeant, Jona- 
than Baldwin, Jonathan Deare. Morris, William Winds, William De Hart, Peter 
Dickerson, Jacob Drake, Ellis Cooke, Silas Condict. Somerset, Hendrick Fisher, 
John Roy, Peter Schenk, Abraham Van Neste, Enos Kelsey, Jonathan D. Sergeant, 
Frederick Frelinghuysen, William Patterson, Archibald Stewart, Edward Dumont, 
William Maxwell, Ephraim Martin. Monmouth, Edward Taylor, Joseph Saltar, 
Robert Montgomery, John Holmes, John Covenhoven, Daniel Hendrickson, Nicho- 
las Van Brunt. Hunterdon, Samuel Tucker, John Mehelm, John Hart, John Stout, 
Jasper Smith, Thomas Lowry, Charles Stewart, Daniel Hunt, Ralph Hart, Jacob 
Jennings, Richard Stevens, John Stevens, junior, Thomas Stout, Thomas Jones, 
John Bassett. Burlington, Joseph Borden, Isaac Pearson, Colin Campbell, Joseph 
Read, John Pope. Gloucester, John Cooper, Elijah Clark, John Sparks. Cumber- 
land, Samuel Fithian, Jonathan Elmer, Thomas Ewing. Salem, Andrew Sinnick- 
son, Robert Johnson, Samuel Dick, Jacob Scoggin, James James. Cape May, Jesse 
Hand. 

NOTE DD.— Page 172. 

List of the deputies of the provincial Congress, elected in September, 1775. 

Bergen, John Demarest, Jacobus Post, Abraham Van Buskirk. Essex, Abraham 
Clark, Lewis Ogden, Samuel Potter, Caleb Camp, Robert Drummond. Middlesex, 
John Wetherill, John Dennis, Azariah Dunham. Morris, William Winds.* William 
De Hart,* Jacob Drake, Silas Condict, Ellis Cook. Somerset, Hendrick Fisher, 
Cornelius Van Muliner,* Ruloffe Van Dyke. Sussex, William Maxwell,* Ephraim 
Martin, Thomas Potts,* Abijah Brown, Mark Thompson. Hunterdon, Samuel 
Tucker, John Mehelm, John Hart, Charles Stewart, Augustine Stevenson.* Mon- 
mouth, Edward Taylor, John Covenhoven, Joseph Holmes. Burlington, Isaac Pier- 
son, John Pope, Samuel How,* John Wood, Joseph Newbold. Gloucester, John 
Cooper,* Joseph Ellis, Thomas Clark,* Elijah Clark,* Richard Somers.* Salem, 
Grant Gibbon, Benjamin Holme, John Holme, Edward Keasby, John Carey. Cum- 
berland, Theophilus Elmer, Jonathan Eyers. Cape May, Jesse Hand,* Elijah 
Hughes. 

* The persons whose names are thus * marked did not attend this session of the 
Congress. 




A 



GAZETTEER 



STATE OF NEW JERSEY. 



COMPREHENDING 



A GENERAL VIEW OF ITS PHYSICAL AND MORAL CONDITION, 



TOGETHER WITH 



A TOPOGRAPHICAL. AND STATISTICAL ACCOUNT 



COUNTIES, TOWNS, VILLAGES, CANALS, 
RAIL ROADS, &c. 



ACCOMPANIED BY A MAP. 



BY 

THOMAS F. GORDON. 



^Trenton : 

PUBLISHED BY DANIEL FENTON. 

Jolin C Clark, Printer, Philadelphia. 

1834. 



Entered by Thomas F. Gordon, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1834, in the Clerk's Office of 
the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The author of tlie following work has sought to present to the 
public, a full and correct portraiture of the State in the year 1833. 
To this end, he has, personally, visited almost every portion of it ; 
communed with many of its most distinguished and enlightened citi- 
zens, and collected, from numerous but scattered sources, a mass of 
useful and curious information, which must prove alike grateful to 
the present and succeeding generations. Errors will undoubtedly be 
discovered in the work ; for such a work is peculiarly liable to them ; 
being exposed, not only to the misconceptions of the author, but, to 
those of his thousand informants. Distance of places from each 
other, and the area of the townships and counties are, specially, sub- 
ject to misstatement. The first has been given from the returns of 
the General Post-Office, measures upon the map, and verbal infor- 
mation of residents; the only and best sources, save actual admea- 
surement. The area of the townships has been obtained from cal- 
culation of their contents, as delineated on Mr. Gordon^s map, by 
means of a reticulated scale of square miles. The result cor- 
responds, so nearly, with the returns of the assessors of such town- 
ships, as contain no unimproved lands, as to give considerable 
confidence in its approximation to the truth. It must be observed, 
however, that this area comprises roads, lakes, ponds, marshes 
and, in a word, every thing within the lines. 

The abstract which has been given of the laws relating to the 
administration of the government, generally, and of the counties 
and townships, specially, will appear, to many, trite and familiar ; 
but to the great mass of the people, particularly, to the rising gene- 
ration, it will not prove the least acceptable portion of the work. 
To those about to enter on the duties of the citizen, it will commu- 



IV ADVERTISEMENT. 

nicate iniich valuable knowledge; and will be useful to all, for occa- 
sional reference ; comprising, in a small compass, matter of daily 
interest, which must, elsewhere, be sought, in many volumes. More 
of this species of information might have been usefully given ; but, 
the volume collected, exceeds, by one-third, the quantity originally 
proposed ; and to get it within the size of a convenient manual, 
resort has been had to a small type for the prefatory chapters. 

To the many gentlemen to whom the author is indebted for 
communications, he tenders his unfeigned thanks ; and solicits 
from them, and others, such corrections and additions as may ren- 
der the next edition of his work, still more valuable. 

Philadelphia, January 1, 1834. 



GAZETTEER OF IVEW JERSEY. 



PREFATORY CHAPTER. 

PART Z. 

Containing a Physical View of the State. 

1. General Boundary. — II. Principal Divisions. — III. Southern and Alluvial Division. — 
Bounds — Surface — JVevisink Hills — Sandij Hook — Sea Beach — Bays or Lagunes — 
Soil: Forest — Pine Lands — Oak — Cedar Sumrnp — Marl — Ferruginous Sand — Pro- 
portions of Marl used in Agriculture. — Cultivation of the Alluvial District. — Bog 
Ore — Streams. — IV. Middle and Secondary District : Bounds-^Area — Formation — 
Trap Ridges — Bergen Ridge — First and Second Mountains — Bituminous Coal — 
Mountains from Springfield to Pluckemin. — Pompton Plain : Abundance of 
Minerals there — Ridges extending to the Delaivare — Character of the surrounding 
Country — Quarries of Freestone near Princeton — Sandy Hill — Primitive Rocks 
near Trenton. — Copper Mines: at Belleville, Brunswick, Somerville, Grecnbrook. — 
V. Mountainous District: Extent — Blended Geological Furmation — Limits — Pri- 
mitive Ridges, Minerals of — Tongue of Transition Formation, Minerals of — Primi- 
tive resumed — Valley of the Wall kill, or of Sparta — Singular Geology and Mine- 
, ralogy — Valley of Paulin's Kill — Alternation of Slate and Limestone — Blue or 
Kittatinney Mountains — Transition Limestone on Delaicare River — Precious Mar- 
bles — Manganese — Rivers and Lakes of the Third Section — Timber of the Middle and 
A''orthern Sections. — VI. Turnpike Roads. — VII. Rail Roads : Camden and Amboy, 
West Jersey, Patterson and Hudson, Patterson Junction, Patterson and Fort Lee, 
'_ Elizabethtoxon and SomerviUe, Neiv Jersey, JVcw Jersey, Hudson and Delaware, 
Delaivare and Jobstown. — VIII. Canals: Morris, Delaware and Raritan, Manas- 
quan, Salem. — IX. Population — Increase — Tables — Slavery. — X. Statistical Table. 
XI. Agriculture, Mamtfaetures and Commerce. — XII. Climate. 

. I. The State of New Jersey is bounded on the N. E. by Orange and Rockland coun- 
ties, of the State of New York ; on the E. by Hudson River and Bay, Staten Island 
Sound, Raritan Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; on S. E. and S. by the Atlantic; on 
S. W. by the Delaware Bay, dividing it from the State of Delaware; and on the W. 
and N. W. by the Delaware River, separating it from Pennsylvania. The N. E. 
line from Carpenter's Point, at the mouth of the Nevisink, or Mackackomack 
River, in north lat. 41° 21', to a point on the Hudson River, in 41° north latitude; 
is in length 4-5 miles; the E. 60; the S. E. from Sandy Hook to Cape May, 120; 
and the S. W., W. and N. W. from Cape May to Carpenter's Point, 220 miles — 
I making the extent of its exterior limit 445 miles. The e.xtreme length of the State, 
by a line almost due north from Cape May, to the northern angle on the Delaware, 
I is 164 miles; its greatest breadth due E. and W. through Salem, Gloucester, Bur- 
1 lington and Monmouth counties, about 7-5 miles; and through Warren, Sussex, 
; Morris and Bergen counties, to the extreme N. E. point, on the Hudson River, about 
I 60 miles. It may be crossed, however, by a direct line from S. W. to N. E., from 
Bordentown to South Amboy, in about 30 miles. The nearest approximation we 
I can make to its area, measuring the map by a reticulateu scale of square miles, is 
I about 7,276 square miles, or 4,656,330 acres, contained between 38° 58' and 41° 21' 
northern latitude.* 

II. This area is distributed into three strongly marked divisions; the alluvial and 
southern ; the secondary, hilly and middle ; and the mountainous and northern, com- 
prising primitive and transition formations. 

HI. The triangular peninsula, or southern division, bordered on the S. and E. by 
Delaware Bay and the Ocean, on the N. and W. by the Delaware River, about 110 
miles in length, and 75 in breadth, is entirely alluvial. South of the Nevisink Hills, 
the surface seldom rises 60 feet above the sea. Those hills, adjacent to the Ocean, 
are 310 feet above its level ; and stand where the waves formerly rolled, resting in 
some places on banks of oyster shells and other marine relics, blended with clay and 

* Morse o;ives S,320 square miles, or 5,324,800 acres; Smith's Hist. N. J. 4,800,000 
acres; and Darby 6,851 square miles, or 4,384,000 acres. 

A 



2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

sea mud. A sandy earth, highly coloured by oxide of iron, and imbedding reddish 
brown sand and puddingstone, cemented by iron, composes the higher strata; and 
large rocks and beds of ferruginous sandstone, apparently in place, of a more recent 
formation than tlie alluvial below, containing sufficient metal to be called an ore of 
iron, are of frequent occurrence. Particles of iron are blended with the sands of the 
beach ; and some of the streams which descend from the top of the clay strata, are 
red with iron oxide. Efflorescences of the sulphates of iron and alumine, are often 
observed ; and flame, proceeding from the spontaneous combustion of gases, gene- 
rated, probably, in beds of sulphuret of iron, has been noticed here. The strata of the 
steep eastern declivity are exposed by frequent land slips. 

A small portion, only, of these hills is cultivated. They are rough, broken, and 
covered with wood, in which deer still find covert. From their summit, a view is 
disclosed of the ocean, unrivalled in grandeur upon the seaboard of this State ; and 
the coast on the N. E. and S. may be seen as far as the eye can reach. The land 
prospect, though not so extensive, is scarce less interesting. In this hill, on the side 
of a branch of the Nevisink River, is a remarkable cave, 30 feet long by 15 broad, 
divided into tliree apartments. The entrance and roof are low, the latter arched, and 
of soft rock, through which the water percolates ; the bottom is of loose sand. 

Sandy Hook, east of, and divided from, the Nevisink Hills by a narrow bay, is six 
miles in length. It was formerly, and is now, isolated by a channel running from 
Shrewsbury River, which was first opened in 1778, closed in 1810, but reopened in 
1830. The beach running northward several miles from Long Branch, invites to a 
promenade on the hard sand when the tide is low; but the wrecks of vessels, visible 
at short intervals, oppress the spectators with recollections of the perils of the sea. 
From the Hook, this beach extends 125 miles to Cape May, varying in width from 
half a mile to two miles, but broken in several places by channels communicating 
with the sea. South of Manasquan it covers a number of bays or salt water lakes, 
of which Barnegat, Little Egg Harbour, and Great Egg Harbour, are the chief. West 
of these runs a belt of marsh, in some places from four to five miles wide, intersected 
by small rivers, with broad and shallow estuaries. 

The soil of this alluvial district consists of sand and clay, sometimes one overlay- 
ing the other; but frequently intimately blended, forming a tolerably fertile loam, 
which prevails on its northern and western border with a variable breadth. Above 
Salem, this breadth is from five to twelve miles, but below that town it is sometimes 
contracted to a mile. East of this strip of loam, and west of the marsh which girds 
the sea shore, lies an immense sandy plain, scarce broken by any inequality, and 
originally covered by a pine and shrub-oak forest — a great portion of which has been 
once, and some of it twice, cut over. There are many square miles on which there 
is not a human inhabitant, and where the deer, foxes and rabbits are abundant, and 
the wolf and tlie bear find a lair to protect their race from extirpation. But in many 
places the echo is awakened by the woodman's axe, and the louder din of the forge 
hammer, and the forest glares with the light of the furnace or glass house. In this 
sandy desert there are found veins of generous soil, which yield a compensatory, 
crop of corn and rye to the labours of the husbandman. 

This immense forest covers probably four-fifths of the alluvial district; and forty 
years ago a large portion of it was not wortJi more than from six to ten cents the 
acre. There was little demand for the timber, oak being preferred for architectural 
and economical uses, nor was the land worth clearing for agricultural purposes. 
The establishment of furnaces and glass manufactories first gave additional value ^o 
the woodland near their locations ; but for a while they made little apparent reduc- 
tion of the vast wilderness. Then came the steamboats, which for some years tra- 
versed our waters, propelled by timber from New Jersey, without sensibly diminish- 
ing the density of tlie forest. In a few years more, however, their number was 
doubled, trebled, quadrupled. Their huge maws, though fed with thousands of 
shallop loads of pine wood, were insatiable. The demand for fuel became immense; | 
the almost worthless pine lands rose rapidly in value, and the hitherto almost idle 
population of the sea-board, found abundant and profitable employment in supplying 
the growing markets. The introduction of anthracite coal diminished the consump- 
tion of oak wood as fuel, but increased tliat of pine, vast quantities of charcoal being 
required to ignite the fossil. Yet the invention of the simple portable culinary fur- 
nace increased the demand still more, thousands of these convenient utensils being 
constantly, during the summer months, fed by charcoal. These circumstances have 
produced an entire revolution in the value of pine lands. They have risen from ten 



SOUTHERN DIVISION. S 

cents, to an average price of six dollars the acre; and, where very well timbered, and 
convenient to marliet, bring from fifteen to twenty-five dollars. Indeed, the soil, de- 
nuded of the timber, is worth from four to sixteen dollars the acre, the purchaser look- 
ing to the growth of wood for profit on his investment. Where tlie forest has been 
felled, an extraordinary change takes place in the subsequent product. The oak 
■springs up where the pine has flourished, and pine wliere the oak has grown. The 
second growth becomes fit for tiie axe, in a space varying from 2-5 to 40 years. 

Upon the clay and loam soils, oak grows abundantly; frequently of great size, and 
of quality much valued in tiie construction of ships. It is the common timber of the 
western border, and covers almost exclusively the central portion of the county of 
Cape May. In the sandy region, are extensive swamps which bear tiie beautiful 
and valuable white cedar, much sought for fencing, and which sells readily at from 
one to three hundred dollars the acre. 

Throughout a great portion of the alluvial district, from four to twenty feet be- 
neath the surface, is a species of greenish blue earth, mixed with shells, and gene- 
rally known as marl. As this substance is of great importance to the agricultural 
interest of the section, some remarks on its physical properties and use will not be 
out of place here. The essential ingredient of marl, as a manure, is lime; and its 
value depends upon the proportion of calcareous matter which it contains. When 
this abounds in connexion with sand only, it produces indurated marl, classed with 
the limestones, and frequently forming marble of great variety and beauty. We 
have discovered none of this precious character; but shell limestone, similar to that 
of the alluvion of North Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi Territory, has been dis- 
covered in several places, and is burned for lime on the banks of the Rancocus, be- 
tween Eayrstown and Vincent-town. The Jersey marls, at present, are chiefly 
known as the shell, clay and stone marls. The first is composed of testaceous mat- 
ter, in various quantities and degrees of combination; and sometimes imbeds bones 
of marine and land animals.* The quantity of clay in union with calcareous sub- 
stances, gives name to the second sort. This absorbs and retains moisture better 
than other kinds, and varies greatly in colour — being brown, blue, red and yellowish. 
In the third species, sand is combined with calcareous and argillaceous matter, giving 
hardness proportionate to its quantity; when of thin and laminar structure, this is 
termed slate marl. From the clay they contain, all these species are softened by 
water, and, when exposed to the atmosphere, gradually fall into powder. 

By reason of their calcareous principle, all marls effervesce with acids; but as 
water, alone, frequently produces the same effect when poured on dry clay, it may 
be necessary, in order to guard against mistake, in making trials upon substances 
supposed to be marl, to let them remain a short time in mixture with water, pre- 
vious to the test of acids. The best marls containing the largest proportion of cal- 
careous earth, it is important to know how to ascertain the quantity. Some are so 
poor as to have only a thirtieth part of their weight of lime. A simple method has 
been suggested, founded on the fact, that marl commonly contains about forty per 
cent, of its weight of fixed air or carbonic acid. It is merely by saturating the marl 
with muriatic or some other acid, and marking correctly the loss of weight which it 
1 sustains by the extrication of the fixed air. So, also, if the substance supposed to 
be marl falls readily to powder when exposed to the air ; if the powder, when dry 
and thrown on hot coals, crackles like salt ; and if, when dry, and mixed with water, 
it have a soapy feel and eff'ervesces much, its quality may be pronounced good. 
Some marls in England, and probably here, have eighty-four per cent, of carbonate 
i of lime, which is more than limestone generally possesses; and the refuse being 
I often of peaty substances, is more useful as manure than that of limestone, which 
I is mostly sand or clay. Such marl may be converted into quicklime by burn- 
iing; and its solution changes vegetable colours to green, possessing all the other 
j properties of caustic lime. Marl is further distinguished by its feeling fat and unc- 
' tuous, and appearing when dry, after exposure to the weather, as if covered with hoar 
I frost, or sprinkled with fine salt; and even when mixed with the land, giving to the 
i whole surface a whitish appearance. 

The farmers in Staffordshire, England, consider the soft blue marl, commonly 

* Among the latter, it is said, are bones of the rhinoceros and other animals of the eastern 
i I continent, some of them of extinct species; elephant's teeth, deer's horns, bones of the 
|.j 'whale, shark's teeth, and entire skeletons of fish, together with graphytcs, helemnitcs, car- 
I I dites, and various shell-fish. 



Ii!t. 



4 GENERAL DESCRIPTION 

found under clay, or low black ground, at the depth of seven or eight feet, the best 
for arable land, and the grey sort for pasture. But that which is of a brownish 
colour, with blue veins, and small lumps of chalk or limestone lying under stifFclays 
and very hard to dig, is most esteemed in Cheshire. The marl having a light sand 
in its composition, usually found at the depth of two or three feet, on the sides of 
hills, and in wet, boggy grounds, is fat and close, and reckoned the strongest and 
most beneficial on sandy lands. It is usually called peat or delving marl. What is 
sometimes called paper marl, frequently lies near coals, and flakes like leaves or 
pieces of brown paper, being of somewhat lighter colour. That which some call 
clay marl is very fat, and is sometimes mixed with chalk stones. There is another 
sort of marl, which breaks of itself into square cubical bits. The two last kinds ge- 
nerally lie under sand and clay ; sometimes about a yard deep under the former, but 
often much deeper under the latter. The stone, slate or flag marl, which is a kind 
of soft stone, or rather slate, of a bluish colour, is generally allowed very good. It 
easily breaks down, and dissolves with frost or rain ; is found near rivers and on the 
sides of hills, and is very lasting when used as manure. 

In many places marl discovers itself to the most negligent eye, particularly on the 
sides of broken hills or deep hollow roads. Many rivers are bordered with a vast 
treasure of this sort, which is plundered by every flood. Boggy lands frequently 
cover it, and in them it seldom lies above three feet deep. It is somewhat lower 
under stifFclays and marshy levels. The lowest parts of most sandy lands abound 
with it, at the depth of three, seven, nine or more feet. The depth of the marl 
itself can seldom be found ; for when the upper crust is removed, all that can be 
seen or dug is marl, to so great a depth that there are few if any instances of a pit 
having been exhausted. Much of the preceding description of the English marls 
is applicable to those of New Jersey. 

The marl region of this State, is classed by some authors with the ferruginous sand 
formation of the United States. It may be located, so far as it has yet been explored, 
between two lines; one drawn from Amboy Bay to Trenton, the other from Deal, on 
the Atlantic, to the mouth of Stow Creek, in Cumberland county, upon the Dela- 
ware River : but there is much reason to believe that this formation occupies a great 
portion of the triangular peninsula south of the Raritan River. Much of the ferru- 
ginous sand region, however, is overlaid by deposites of clay containing lignite. 
Above these is an almost uniform covering of grey sand ; yet in many places the 
marl, with its peculiar fossil, is found immediately beneath the soil. This formation 
has been traced southward in many places, and most probably extends nearly the 
whole length of the Atlantic frontier of the United States. 

In all its localities, it has been identified by similar genera and species of organic 
remains, though all the genera do not exist in every locality. Thus, at the Deep Cut 
of the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal, the strata are characterized by great num- 
bers of ammonites, baculites, and other multilocular univalves. These remarks apply 
to various parts of Burlington and Monmouth counties, in New Jersey. Near New 
Egypt, are ten or twelve beds, one above the other, with the genera terebratula and 
gryphaea. (Ostrca, Sa.j.) Near Horner's Town, the marl is extremely indurated ; 
and contains terebratulae exclusively. Near Walnford, the fossils are chiefly exogyrae 
and belemnites ; while at Mullica Hill, in Gloucester county, the beds contain bi- 
valves, and quantities of belemnites ; and the calcareous beds of this county contain 
gryphaja, teredo, alcyonium .' sparangus, and several species of Linnaean madre- 
pores. 

The mineralogical characters vary considerably. Of the species of marl in minute, 
grains, loose and friable, and of an uniform dull bluish or greenish colour, often with 
a shade of grey, and called gunpowder marl, Mr. Seybert has given the following 
constituents: silex 49.83, alumine 6.00, magnesia 1.83, potash 10.12, water 9.80, • 
protoxide of iron 51.53, loss 89=100 grains. A less cautious analysis by Mr. J. P, 
Wetherill and Dr. S. G. Morton, of a specimen, apparently similar, from another lo- 
cality, gave silex 49.00, protoxide of iron 50.00, alumine 5.50, lime 4.70; the re- 
mainder being chiefly water and carbonic acid. Hence the predominant constituentSji 
of these marls are silex andiron. They often contain beds of a dark bluish tenacious i 
clay, sometimes mixed with the marl, forming marley clay ; at others, the marl and 
clay alternate. 

Again, marl is seen of a yellowish brown colour, friable or compact, and filled : 
with green specks of the silicate of iron. Some of the greenish varieties are also i 
very compact, rendering it extremely difficult to separate the fossils from their i 



SOUTHERN DIVISION. 5 

matrix. The friable blue marls often contain a large proportion of mica, in minute 
scales. 

Other localities present beds of silicious gravel, the pebbles varying from the 
size of coarse sand, to one and two inches in diameter, cemented together by oxide 
and phosphate of iron, and containing fossils, similar to those above described. 
The most striking instance of this kind is at Mullica Hill. Some of the blue marls, 
which effervesce strongly with acids, contain but five per cent, of lime. But we 
find large beds of calcareous marl, containing at least thirty-seven percent.; the re- 
mainder being silex, iron, &c. Also a hard, well characterized, subcrystalline lime- 
stone, filled with zeophytes. All these diversified appearances pass, by insensible 
degrees, into each other, exhibiting an almost endless variety of mineralogical 
character. 

The mineral substances found in these beds, are iron pyrites in profusion ; chert 
in the calcareous beds, amber, retinasphalt, lignite and small spherical masses of a 
dark green colour, and compact texture, apparently analogous to those found in the 
green sand of France. Their structure does not appear to be organic, although 
they have, often, a shark's tooth, or a small shell for a nucleus. Larger spherical 
bodies also occur, resembling the nodules of clay in ironstone, common in some 
parts of England. 

As the quality of the marl varies greatly, so does the quantity used in manuring 
lands. In Monmouth county, south of the Shrewsbury River, there is marl so strong, 
that five cart-loads the acre are as much as the land will bear advantageously : in 
other places, from twenty to one hundred and forty loads to the acre are profitably 
used. It is asserted, that a good dressing will last from twelve to twenty years. It 
would be difficult to calculate the advantages which the state has gained, and will 
yet derive from the use of marl. It has already saved some districts from depopula- 
tion, and increased the inhabitants of others; and may, one day, contribute to con- 
vert the sandy and pine deserts into regions of agricultural wealth. 

Pine lands, in the counties of Columbia, Albany, and Saratoga, and other parts 
of the state of New York, of a character similar to those of New Jersey, have been 
rendered very valuable by gypsum, and rotation of crops, often producing from 
twenty to twenty-five bushels of wheat to the acre. The sandy soil is in time 
changed to a rich vegetable mould — and gypsum, therefore, may probably be used 
with marl to render the pine lands of this State productive. 

The occupation of a vast proportion of tlie inhabitants of this section is agricultu- 
ral. Upon the loam soils large quantities of grass and grain, particularly rye, 
corn and oats, are produced; and the sandy lands, treated with marl, also give 
abundant crops of grain and grass. Inconvenient situations for supplying the mar- 
kets of New York and Philadelphia, the farmers give much attention to the more 
profitable culture of garden vegetables, potatoes, melons, fruit, &c. The peach 
orchards of E. and W. Jersey, give abundance of that delicious fruit to both cities; 
so low, at times, as fifty cents the bushel. At a distance from the navigable wa- 
ters, and from market, the grain is commonly fed to stock, and few portions of the 
United States, of equal area, produce more, or better, pork, than the counties of 
Monmouth, Burlington and Gloucester ; scarce less famed for the quality of their 
horses. In the counties of Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, upon the fresh 
waters of their streams whose shores are subject to overflow by the tides, many 
thousand acres have, by embankment, been converted into productive meadows, 
which maintain large herds of cattle, and furnish adequate means for enriching the 
upland. Adjacent to the Delaware Bay and sea coast, are wide tracts of salt mea- 
dow, some of which have also been reclaimed by embankment ; and the rest afford 
abundance of coarse hay, free in many places to all who seek it, and valuable in the 
maintenance of stock and making manure. The climate is so mild, near the coast, 
that herds of cattle subsist, through the winter, upon these meadows, and in the 
neighbouring thickets, without expense to the proprietors. The sea coast is said 
also to be favourable to the production of good mutton and wool. The great in- 
ducements to enterprise and industry constantly operating in the markets upon the 
borders of this section, have already produced wonderful effects, and cannot fail to 
excite the inhabitants to still greater efforts to improve the advantages they possess. 

Extensive beds of the variety of argillaceous oxide of iron, called bog ore, are 
common throughout this district, which when mixed with mountain ore, in the fur- 
nace, makes good iron for castings and the forge. From these furnaces, and those 
of the glasi-houses, fed by the wood of the forest, a considerable portion of the an- 



6 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

nually growing wealth of the district is derived ; and if we add to these, the cord 
wood, and lumber, and vessels built upon its southern waters, we shall have enu- 
merated the chief sources of tlie prosperity of tiie peninsula. In this part of the 
state, 14 furnaces, including cupolas, and 14 forges, one extensive rolling and slit- 
ting mill and nail factory, and 11 glass manufactories, engaged in the manufacture 
of window-glass and hollow ware, provide a valuable and steady market for large 
portions of the agricultural product. 

The whole of this district is tolerably well watered; but the streams are neither 
large nor rapid, and are remarkable for the depth of their beds, which cause, indeed, 
almost the only inequalities of its surface. Those of the northern part of the penin- 
sula interlock their sources in various ways; some flow N. and N. E. as the Mill- 
stone and the South Rivers, with their many tributaries; some E. to the Atlantic, as 
the Swimming, Shark, Manasquan, Metetecunk and Tom's Rivers; whilst others seek 
the Delaware, as the Assunpink, tlie Crosswicks, the Rancocus, Cooper's, Big 
Timber, Mantua and Oldman's Creeks. Those on the south either flow S. E. to 
the ocean, as the Mulliea, Great Egg Harbour and Tuckahoe rivers, or run S. W. 
into the bay, as Salem, Stow and Coliansey creeks and Maurice River. Most of 
the streams have a crooked course, and flowing through a flat country, are com- 
monly navigable some miles from their mouih. Unlike the rivers of hilly countries, 
they are steady in their volumes, and uniform supplies of water can be more confi- 
dently relied upon. 

IV. The second of our divisions of the State is included by a line drawn froin 
Hoboken, running S. of New Brunswick to Trenton, and another from the Ramapo 
Mountains, on the boundary of New York, curving by the Pompton Mountain or 
Highlands, Morristown, Baskingridge and Flemington, to the Delaware, between 
Alexandria and Milford. This section, from N. E. to S. W. has about 70 miles in' 
length, and an average breadth of about twenty rniles. It possesses considerable 
variety of surface and soil, but is strikingly distinguished by its geological formation^ 
which is chiefly secondary or old red sandstone, upon which rest hills of greater or' 
less elevation, crowned with trap or greenstone rock. Its area includes four-fifths of . 
Bergen county, the whole of Essex, a small portion of Morris, nearly all of Somerset, 
one-half of Middlesex, and one-half of Hunterdon counties. The sandstone base is 
found in various states of induration and aggregation. Generally, on the eastern, 
portion of the section, from the Palisades, on the North River, westerly to Hunterdon 
county, it is compact, hard, and well adapted for building, frequently assuming the 
form of puddingstone and wacke, and occasionally affording considerable organic 
remains. Between the south branch of the Raritan and Delaware, still underlaying 
mountain and valley, the red rock assumes a slaty, shaly form, has more clay in 
its composition, and, taken from whatever depth, readily disintegrates into loam 
more fertile than that formed from the harder stone. But for the trap hills which 
have been thrown upon it, the whole of this section would be a vast plain, whose 
only inequalities would be formed by the excavations made by the streams in their 
tortuous and generally sluggish passage to the Ocean. 

From this general formation, however, we must admit the following exceptions. 
The alluvial borders the first south-eastern trap ridge, known as the first Newark 
Mountain, from Boundbrook to Springfield, and westward it approaches the Ra- 
ritan within two miles, forming the bed of that river a little below Brunswick. 
Wherever excavations have been made in this alluvial tract, strata of sand, grave], 
and clay are disclosed, but no rocks in place. Ochres of good quality have beeri 
found in many parts of it, and at Uniontown, near Springfield, compact peat of su- 
perior quality, resting on marl, supposed to extend through a morass of five hundred 
acres. Bones of the mastodon were discovered a few years since in this swamp. 
Extensive beds of white pipe clay, composed principally of alumine, and infusible^ ' 
have been observed between Woodbridge and Amboy, and marine shells in various ij 
parts of the district. j 

The alluvial section we have just described, is connected with another five miles 
in breadth by twenty in length, formed of the deposits of the Hackensack and Passaic. 
Rivers, between the secondary valley and the Bergen ridge. In this tract, the 
depth of the deposit is from 12 to 20 feet, its basis sand and shells like the shore of 
the sea. The whole was formerly covered with wood, of which some groves of 
cedar still remain, and bodies of trees but little decayed are frequently found at va- 
rious depths. Indeed, so abundant and sound are the logs on these marshes, that 
they are used for the foundation of the New Jersey Rail-road, now being constructed 



MIDDLE DIVISION. 7 

here. In this bog, N. of the turnpike road, between Newark and Jersey City, rises 
an island (Secaucus) about four miles long by one wide, composed, like the adjacent 
shores, of red and grey sandstone, and having a promontory at either end. That 
on the south known as Snake Hill, has a conical form, is of trap rock on sand- 
stone rising into mural precipices, and having cubical masses of the trap piled at 
its southern base. From its wood clad, rocky and precipitous summit, the spectator 
may behold the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers almost at his feet, and for several 
miles dragging their slow length through a sea of verdure j on the west, populous vil- 
lages and ranges of mountains; on the east the great city of New York, and on the 
south the wide expanded ocean. Through the grey sandstone of this island, mi- 
caceous iron ore is abundantly dispersed; and pectenites and other marine shells are 
found on its elevated parts. 

The trap ridges which traverse this division excite much interest. Trapstone is 
known in many cases to have an igneous origin. Whether it may be ascribed to 
the same cause in all, is still a vexed question. That it has been found here subse- 
quently to the sandstone on which it reposes, is most obvious; but when or how it 
has been poured over its base, throughout sx;ch great extent of country, in Connec- 
ticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, will probably never be discovered. We observe 
the first mountainous range of this district, on the eastern border adjacent to the 
Hudson River. It rises gradually from Bergen Point, bounds the State for about 
28 miles, and runs a greater distance into the State of New York. In this State 
this ridge has an average width of two and a half miles, with a summit of table land. 
From its western brow there is a gradual descent into the valley of the Hackensack 
and Passaic. On its eastern side it is uniformly precipitous. At Weehawk, four 
miles N. of the City of Jersey, the mountain presents a perpendicular wall, elevated 
200 feet above the Hudson, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. 
From Weehawk to Fort Lee, a distance of about 7 miles, there is an alternation of 
precipitous ledges and steep declivities, mostly clothed with various verdure. The 
hills, retiring at intervals from the shore, give room for narrow but fertile and well 
cultivated strips of ground, adorned with neat dwellings, environed by fruit trees 
and diversified crops. From Fort Lee to the state line, the mountain has a uniform 
appearance. The eastern front rises perpendicularly from 200 to .550 feet; nu- 
merous vertical fissures cross each other at various angles, forming basaltic columns, 
from which the name of Palisades has been derived. The face of the ledge is bare, 
but vegetation is occasionally seen in the crevices. From the base of the precipice 
to the edge of the water, a distance of 3 or 400 feet, there is a steep declivity co- 
vered with angular blocks of stone fallen from the heights, and shaded with trees. 
The summit of the mountain is slightly undulating table land, gradually rising to 
the north, with an average width of about two miles, generally covered with wood in 
all the wildness of nature. The western side of the mountain has a very gradual de- 
scent, is cleared and well cultivated, and neat farm houses of freestone line its base, 
like a village street, for near 20 miles. The prospect is one of the most delightful; nu- 
merous farms, rich in luxuriant vegetation, and extensive alluvial meadows through 
which the Hackensack and its tributaries flow, are bounded by the mountain ranges 
of the west. The greenstone of this mountain, resting on sandstone, is not so dark 
as that of New Haven, and is an aggregate of hornblende, feldspar, and epidote, 
with which prehnite compact and radiated is sometimes associated. At the base of 
the mountain bordering the river, in many places, secondary argillaceous shist, 
conglomerate, red, white, yellow and purple sandstone, and indurated clay, alternate, 
exhibiting a stratification nearly horizontal, the underlaying; inclination being from 

j 8 to 10 degrees. These layers are sometimes visible on the mountain's side, at con- 

I siderable elevations above the river. The sandstone is generally a coarse aggre- 
gate of quartz and feldspar, often friable, but sometimes very firmly combined ; ex- 

, hibiting winding vertical fissures. In this base may be observed, in some few 

I places, a compact white sandstone, resembling the Portland stone of England. 

! A metallic vein was worked, at Fort Lee. at the commencement of the revolu- 
tionary war, under the impression that it contained gold; but Dr. Torrey has deter- 

I mined, that the ore is pyritous and green carbonate of copper; and the matrix 

^qtiartz, dipping under the greenstone. 

Two other prominent mountain ranges intersect the country now under view. 
They rise near the primitive highlands, two miles north of Fompton, and run about 
(sixty miles in an almost semicircular course. The first ridge, at its commencement^ 
is about twenty miles E. from the Palisades; but at, and south of Patterson, it is not 



I 



8 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

more than twelve, from the Nortli River. The most elevated point of these moun- 
tains is six miles N. W. from Patterson, where a sugar-loaf peak rises near 1000 
feet above the level of the ocean. Us trap rock is generally covered with a thin 
mould and verdant surface ; and a walnut grove, without underwood, occupies, 
exclusively, about forty acres upon the summit, from which there is a very exten- 
sive view, towards the E. N. E. and N. over a tolerably level country. On the N. 
W. the waving tops of the Preakness ridge are observed, extending for several 
miles, indented by ponds of considerable magnitude and depth. North of this ridge 
is another high and detached hill, sweeping in a semicircle, rising and terminating 
near the Highlands. Many of the summits are under cultivation, and afford fine 
views of the great secondary valley, bounded by the Highlands, the Hudson and 
the Preakness ridge. On the east of the last chain is another section of the trap 
ranges, called the Totoway mountain. It rises near the Preakness mountain, six 
miles from Patterson, and unites with the Newark chain, at the Great Falls. It is ' 
in many places free from rocks, but on the east side are precipices of considerable 
height and extent, with waving or denticulated mural faces, presenting columns of 
basaltic regularity. An insulated semicircular wall of greenstone, with projecting 
columns, bearing some resemblance to a castle or fort in ruins, occupies a summit of 
the Totoway ridge. Sandstone quarriea are opened in several places at the base 
of the greenstone; and one, three miles from Patterson, on the Preakness moun- 
tain, affords the best freestone of New Jersey. Fine red and grey sandstone sprin- 
kled with mica, alternates with argillaceous strata, dipping under the greenstone, 
with a western inclination of about 12°. Bituminous coal, in layers two inches 
thick, has frequently been found in this and other parts of the Preakness ridge, in 
connexion with sandstone and shale, and the neighbourhood is supposed to exhibit 
indications of more valuable beds of this combustible. Gneiss, granite, pudding 
and sandstone, in rolled masses, abundantly cover the surface, in many parts of 
this region. The greenstone of the Preakness range rarely offers interesting im- 
bedded minerals; but prehnite, agate, chalcedony, and a mineral resembling cach- 
elong, have been discovered in it. 

At the falls of the Passaic, in Patterson, perpendicular mural precipices of green- 
stone, with wide vertical fissures and amorphous masses at their base, may be ob- 
served. The lower strata of this rock contain much argillaceous matter, which par- 
tially takes the place of hornblende. The ledges rest on porous rocks, horizontally 
posited, resembling the toadstone of Derbyshire. Carbonate of lime and other mi- 
nerals, 'subject to decay, are imbedded in it ; and by their decomposition give a cel- 
lular and volcanic appearance. A friable amygdaloid, with an argillaceous base, en- 
closing nodules of carbonate of lime of a spheroidal oval or almond shape, froni the 
size of a pea to that of a walnut, may also be noticed. The nodules, easily disen- 
gaged from the base, exhibit a smooth dark green surface of chlorite. The layers 
beneath the amygdaloid, are red and grey conglomerate, connected with red sand- 
stone, too porous for use, absorbing much moisture and breaking by the expansive 
power of frost. Good freestone in nearly a horizontal position, is the basis layer, 
and forms the bed of the Passaic. In many places the greenstone occupying the- 
summit appears but a few feet in thickness; and it is not arranged in columns of ba- 
saltiform regularity. Prehnite, calcareous spar and carbonate of copper, zeolite,, 
stilbite, analcime and datholite, have been found here. 

Mural precipices of dark fine grained fissile greenstone, are observed at the Little 
Falls of the Passaic, five miles above Patterson. Vertical seams cross each other 
here, at various angles, in the ledges, giving to detached pieces a regular prisma-, 
tic form, with three or four sides, often truncated on one or more of the lateral 

edges the tabular form is common. Rock of similar character is observable in 

other parts of the Preakness ridge. Marine organic remains, such as orthocerites, 
madrepores, tubipores, pectenites, terebratulas, encrinites, bilabites, serpulites^ i 
and other species, generally in an argillaceous base, in mountain and valley, have* 
been observed here, as in other parts of this region. 

From Patterson to Springfield, the trap ridges are called first and second New- 
ark mountains, and Caldwell mountain. Their direction is nearly south, with I 
great uniformity of altitude; their eastern declivity steep, their western descent 
gradual, as is common with mountains of North America. Mural precipices are 
rarely seen, except at Patterson and Springfield. Wherever ledges appear, the, 
mountain side is covered with small amorphous stones. The red sandstone appears 
in place, both upon the sides and base. Much of the eastern side is under cultiva- 



MIDDLE DIVISION. 9 

tion; the summit and western declivity are generally covered by coppice of small 
oak, chesnut, walnut, butternut and cedar. The second Newark mountain runs 
a parallel course with, and is distant from, the first, about a mile. It is less ele- 
vated and rocky, arid has a more gradual ascent than the other. The view from 
the first embraces the thickly settled and highly cultivated valley, whose surface 
appears like a plain, painted with meadows, grain fields and orchards, and studded 
with the villages of Bloomfield, North and South Orange, and the large towns of 
Newark and Elizabeth; — beyond which we have in sight the salt meadows, the city 
and harbour of New York, parts of Long and Staten Islands and the distant ocean. 
In this valley, fine red and grey freestone alternates with shale. Bituminous coalj 
in thin layers, is associated with argillaceous shale, in freestone quarries, adjacent 
to the Passaic. At the termination of tiie Newark Mountain, at Springfield, and 
in many parts of the trap ranges, smoke, and in some instances, flame issuing 
from the crevices of the rock, have been observed by the inhabitants; proceeding 
probably from carbonated hydrogen gas indicating coal below. Animal and vegeta- 
ble organic remains have been observed in this freestone. Near Belleville a tooth, 
almost two inches in length, was discovered, some years since, fifteen feet below 
the surface. 

The Newark Mountains terminate at Springfield, where the continuity of the 
trap range is broken. From this place the greenstone ridges take a S. W. direc- 
tion of seventeen miles to the vicinity of Boundbrook, and thence, N. W. about ten 
more to Pluckemin : the second mountain following the curvature of the first. Se- 
condary greenstone is, exclusively, the rock, in place, of the summits and sides of 
both ridges, but it seldom appears in ledges of magnitude. Sandstone is as usual 
the base, and has been observed under the greenstone, in nearly a horizontal posi 
tion, with a small dip, sometimes alternating with secondary compact limestone, in 
layers, from two inches to two feet in tiiickness. Prehnite is found in considera- 
ble quantities, near the foot of the mountain, in amygdaloid with a greenstone 
base, much of it partly decomposed. It is sometimes imbedded in the rock, in 
long parallel columns in various directions, its fibres radiating from the centre. Ze- 
olite, stilbite, crystals of quartz, and carbonate of lime, are frequently seen in the 
valley between the mountains. North of Scotch Plains, sulphat of barytes appears 
associated with carbonate of lime. A small portion only of these ranges is cleared 

.and cultivated. 

The mountain, running a S. W. course from Springfield, has been termed, by 
some geologists, the Granite Ridge. It is described as passing through the State, 
bordering the oceanic alluvial, and having its highest point near Hoboken — alluding, 
doubtless, to the height near Weehavvk. The Greenstone Ridge would be the more 
appropriate name. For excepting the serpentine, at Hoboken, there are no primi- 
tive rocks in place, between tlie Hudson and Highland chains; the summit rock of 
all the ranges being, uniformly, secondary greenstone. The Highland chain runs 
from S. E. to N. W., the general direction of the primitive strata; but none of the 
secondary ranges of New Jersey pursues a course parallel with the primitive. The 
latter, in many places, preserve for miles an even summit of table-land, whilst the 
Highland ridges display sugar loaf eminences, and a waving profile, characteristic 
of the primitive. The extensive secondary range commencing near Pompton, 
within half a mile of the Highlands, and extending in a semi-circular course until 
it again approaches them, corroborates, by its direction and the character of its sum- 
mit, the correctness of these positions. The broad valley, encircled by the Green- 
stone ridge and the Highlands, contains much fresh wacer alluvial. Many of its 

.small hills have no rock in place. The plain bordering the Passaic is generally ex- 
tensive — -in some places four miles wide. Peat is observed in several places be- 

.tween the source of the river and Little Falls; and a considerable quantity has been 

.,cut, adjacent to the Newark and Morristown turnpike, and the bed discovered to be 
more than six feet deep. 

Pompton Plain, near twenty miles in circumference, and environed by mountains, 
presents a decided fresh water alluvion — strata of gravel, sand, and clay, without 
rocks in place, have uniformly been found wherever wells have been dug; and it 
was, probably, at a remote period, the bed of a lake. The waters of the Pequannock 
Long Pond and Ramapo Rivers pass through it. The southern and much of the 
western part of the plain is marshy, and embraces about 1500 acres of peat ground, 
apparently of good quality, judging by a ditch of four miles in length which has been 

.dug through it. In the southern part of the plain, good granular argillaceous oxide 

B 



10 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

of iron, or pea ore, is found over a space of about 200 acres. The Plighlands form 
the west and north-west boundary of the plain, which in other directions is skirted 
by the Pacganack Mountain, pursuing a serpentine course from North Pompton, to 
the vicinity of Morristown, separating the wide alluvial plains watered by the Pomp- 
ton and Passaic Rivers. Upon this range, the summit rock, in place, is, uniformly, 
a fine grained dark secondary greenstone, often in a state of partial decomposition, 
exhibiting mural precipices of considerable height and extent, with sandstone at the 
sides and base. The first contains prehnite, zeolite, analcime, chalcedony, agate, 
amethyst, jasper, crystals of quartz, and narrow veins of satin spar, in jasper. The 
part of this range adjacent to Pompton Plains, may, perhaps, from the abundance of 
these minerals, be useful to the lapidary, as well as to the mineralogist. The agates 
are from the size of a pin's head to three pounds weight, mostly chalcedony — The 
eyed and fortification agate has been observed here in a few instances. A mineral 
specimen was found in this mountain by Judge Kinsey, of near 16 pounds weight, 
containing agate, amethyst, and white quartz. 

Another greenstone range, of minor extent, called Long Hill, is situate in the 
great valley, under review, rising near Chatham, and running westerly about ten 
miles. The trap of this ridge is in such state of decay, that rocks seldom appear in 
place. The Passaic pursues a winding course along the base of the mountain, some- 
times concealed in groves, at others glancing sheen in the verdant meadows. About 
the centre of Long Hill are mural precipices, composed of what the farmers call 
shell rock, resembling the stone on the banks of the Raritan. 

This secondary formation accompanies the Highlands to the Delaware, and is 
pierced in several places by broken ridges of the same trap character we have de- 
scribed. Such is the Rocky or Nashanic Mountain, the heights near Rocktown, 
Lambertville, Belmont, Herberttown, and Woodville, and Rocky Hill, immediately 
north of Princeton. The sandstone, generally, in this portion of the section, differs 
materially from that of the Passaic. It extends northerly to the first primitive ridge, 
north of Flemington, and forms the soil of the broad red shale valley, spreading 
from that ridge to the Rocky Hills, underlays the last, and extends south of Pening- 
ton. Its colour is of a darker red than the Newark stone — it appears to be without 
grain, yields a strong argillaceous odour when breathed upon, and is readily decom- 
posed by exposure to air and moisture. It is, probably, composed of iron, alumine, 
and silex, with a small portion of sulphur, and may be termed ferruginous shist. 
The rock is stratified, splitting readily into thin brittle laminee, and is said to rest in 
some places on good freestone. But on the S. E. near Princeton, are quarries of 
excellent red and white freestone, similar to that of the Preakness ridge. 

Sandy Hill, an elevation of the secondary region, situate between Kingston anfl 
Brunswick, is alluvial, like the Nevisink Hills, composed of sand, white and co- 
loured clay, containing beds of ferruginous sand and puddingstone. 

Upon the south-western angle of this district, and particularly at and around 
Trenton, there is a small portion of primitive, rising through the secondary, into 
abrupt rocks of granitic character, varying from loose micaceous shale to massive 
granite, but composed chiefly of hard and compact gneiss. This rock forms the 
Falls of the Delaware at the head of tide, and stretches away in a S. W. direction 
through Pennsylvania. From a mass in the bed of the river, large and beautiful 
specimens of zircon have been taken. 

The portion of New Jersey which we have now described, is the most populous, 
and perhaps the most wealthy of the State. Its soil is not so productive as the lime- 
stone of the primitive and transition regions ; but there is less of it waste, than in 
those regions, and it is divided into smaller farms, and more assiduously laboured, 
under the excitement of proximity to the markets of New York and Philadelphia, 
and that created in the eastern portion by its own manufacturing towns ; as Pat- 
terson, Little Falls, Godwinsville, New Prospect, Bloomfield, Belleville, North and 
South Orange, Springfield, Plainfield, Newark, Elizabethtown, Rahway, Wood- 
bridge, New Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton, «fcc. 

Besides the minerals already mentioned, large deposits of copper ore have been 
discovered in this section, at Belleville, at Griggstown, near Brunswick, Wood- 
bridge, Greenbrook, Somerville, and Pluckemin ; and it would seem probable that a 
vein of this metal extends S. W. across the secondary region from Fort Lee. 

The following account of the mine near New Brunswick is extracted from Morse's' 
Gazetteer ; — 

" About the years 1748, 1749, 1750, several lumps of virgin copper, from 5 to 30 ' 



MIDDLE DIVISION. 11 

lbs, weight, (in the whole upwards of 200 lbs.) were ploughed up in a field belong- 
ing to Philip French, Esq., within a quarter of a mile of the town. This circum- 
stance induced Mr. Elias Boudinot to take a lease of the land of Mr. French, for 99 
years, with a view to search for copper ore. A company was formed, and about the 
year 1751, a shaft was commenced in the low ground 300 yards fiom the river. 
The spot selected had been marked by a neighbour, who, passing it in ihe dark, had 
observed a flame rising from the ground, nearly as large as the body of a man. At 
about 15 feet, the miners struck a vein of blue stone, about two teet thick, between 
loose walls of red sand stone, covered with a sheet of pure copper, somewhat thicker 
than gold leaf. The stone was filled with grains of virgin copper, much like copper 
filings, and occasionally lumps of virgin copper of from 5 to 30 pounds were found 
in it. This vein was followed about thirty feet, when the accumulation of water 
exceeded the means of the company to remove it. A stamping mill was erected, 
where, by reducing the ore to powder, and washing it, many tons of pure copper 
were obtained and exported to England. Sheets of copper of the thickness of two 
pennies, and three feet square, have been taken from between the rocks, within four 
feet of the surface, in several parts of the hill. At about fifty or sixty feet deep, a 
body of fine solid ore was struck in the same vein, but between rocks of white flinty 
spar, which was soon worked out." 

Some efforts were made to renew the mining operations here, at various periods, 
but never with encouraging success. The excavations have been extensive. A shaft 
of great depth is yet visible ; an adit, it is said, was driven several hundred yards be- 
neath the bed of the river, and hydraulic pumps were worked by Lyell's Brook to free 
the mine from water. The stones around the vicinage are every where coloured by 
the oxide of copper, and beautiful copper pyrites are obtained from the neighbour- 
ing quarries. 

The Schuyler copper mine, near Belleville, on the left bank of the Passaic, seven 
miles from Jersey City and Hoboken, was discovered about the year 1719, by Arent 
Schuyler. The ore cropping out on the side of a hill was easily raised ; and as the 
policy of Great Britain prohibited every species of manufacture in the colonies, it 
was exported in the crude state to England. From the books of the discoverer, it 
appears that before the year 1731, he had shipped 1,386 tons to the Bristol copper 
and brass works. His son. Col. John Schuyler, prosecuted the work with more nume- 
rous and skilful hands j but the quantity of ore raised by him is unknown, his books 
having been lost during the war. 

In 1761, the mine was leased to a company, who erected a steam engine, of the 
imperfect construction then in use, and worked the mine profitably for four years. 
In 1765, however, a workman, who had been dismissed, having set fire to the engine- 
house, the works were discontinued. Several gentlemen in England, acquainted 
with the superior quality of the ore of this mine, obtained permission from the 
crown to erect works for smelting and refining copper in America, and offered to 
purchase the estate of Mr. Schuyler, containing the mine, at £100,000 sterling. 
This offer he refused, but agreed to join them in rebuilding the engine and working 
the mine. But tlie revolutionary war, and the deranged state of ihe country subse- 
quent thereto, and other circumstances, caused the mine to be neglected until 1793, 
when a new company undertook the work with much vigour, but it would seem with 
little prudence. They collected miners from England and Germany, purchased a 
freehold estate, convenient for the erection of furnaces and manufactories, with an 
excellent stream of water, rebuilt the engine, and commenced and partly completed 
other works. Their labours were interrupted by the dea'Ji of the principal share- 
holder in the company, the whole interest of which soon after was vested in Mr. 
Nicholas I. Roosevelt, whose many engagements debarred him from prosecuting this 
enterprise. 

Another company, organized in 1825, procured some Cornish miners, and cleared 
out two adit levels, three old shafts, and sunk one new one about 60 feet deep ; 
erected a new steam engine, and prepared most of the necessaries for working the 
..mine in the deep levels. But, when they were ready to break out ore, some ineffi- 
cient machinery designed to pump the water from the vein to the great shaft, gave 
way, and the funds or patience of the company were insufficient to prosecute the 
enterprise further. Their lease, conformable to its terms, was forfeited. We under- 
stand that during the present year (1833), a new association has been formed for 
working this mine. 

There are many veins well worth working, particularly those near the surface, 
containing what is termed stamp ore. The principal vein, which has proved very 



12 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

profitable, is imbedded in a stratum of freestone, from 20 to 30 feet thick, and is 
called a pipe vein. It dips about 12 degrees from the horizon, rather by steps than 
a straight line, and increases in richness with its depth. It has been followed 212 
feet below the surface, and about 112 feet beneath the adit cut for draining ; hence, 
the water must be pumped to that level. A large shaft has been sunk 140 feet 
below the adit, 30 feet of which have been filled with mud and rubbish. The engine 
at the mine has a cylinder Slj inches in diamfier, and eight feet stroke, and has 
ample power to free the mine from water. Excellent cast iron pumps are fixed from 
the level of the vein to the adit, and from the adit to the surface, for supplying the 
engine. The vein has been worked about 150 feet, horizontally, from the shaft, de- 
clining from the entrance a few feet: hence, though the leakage is inconsiderable, 
some method is required to carry it into the shaft, which may be readily done if the 
shaft be cleared to the bottom. 

The ore of the principal vein, it is said, yields from 60 to 70 per cent, of copper; 
and the vein will produce, it is supposed, from 100 to 120 tons of ore annually, 
which yields from four to seven ounces of silver to the hundred pounds; and, like 
most copper ores, a small portion of gold. When pure copper was sold in England at 
£75 sterling the ton, the ore of this mine was shipped from New York for that mar- 
ket at £70 the ton. The quality of the ore, and condition of the mine, are attested 
by several respectable persons, who have skill and proper means to judge of them. 

If the statement respecting the proportion of silver in this ore be correct, it is 
more productive than many of the much-worked and highly valued mines of Mexico. 
The mines of Biscayna, of Royas, of Tehuilotepec, and of Gautla, do not yield 
more than three ounces of pure silver to one quintal of the ore ; whilst the remarka- 
ble rich mines of the Count de la Valenciana, at Guanaxuato, gave only 5.1-10 
ounces the quintal. The mean product of the whole lyiexican mines, when in 
their best condition, did not exceed 2^ ounces the quintal ; and that of the ores of 
Peru was still less; giving at most at Potosi, 53-100, and at Pasco, 1.3-50 ounces, the 
quintal. If the ores of the Schuyler mine give from four to seven ounces of silver 
the quintal, and are abundant, they must be better worth working for the silver alone 
than most of the silver mines of the world; and the copper product must add enor- 
mously to their value. 

The copper mine in the trap ridge, two miles north of Somerville, commonly 
known as Cammam's, has been wrought at intervals for many years, but without 
profit; more, it is said, because of the want of capital, and public confidence in the 
operators, than from the poverty of the ores. The following, according to Dr. 
Torrey, are the principal minerals found here, viz : native copper in irregular masses, 
weighing from one ounce to eight pounds, and one block has been obtained of 23 
pounds; phosphate of copper, massive, and of a verdigris colour, generally accom- 
panying native copper ; carbonate of copper, green, in connexion with the phos- 
phate; red oxide of copper; the massive variety of which is the common ore of the 
mine, found crystallized in octahedra, whose surfaces are extremely brilliant and 
beautiful; native silver, in small masses, disseminated through the phosphate and 
crystallized oxide; green quartz, in tabular, partly noded masses, a beautiful mine- 
ral, resembling chrysoprase; prehnite, in cavities in the greenstone, very fine; and 
mountain leather, in thin plates, very tenacious when moistened. Drifts have been 
made in various directions in this mine, and the ore is said to be abundant, yielding 
from 25 to 75 per cent, of pure metal. 

North of the village of Greenbrook, in the same ridge, a vein of copper, many 
years since, was wrought to a considerable extent ; but it, too, has been long aban- 
doned. 

To these locations of copper, we are now to add another, lately discovered, near: 
Flemington, in a vein remarkably, but not yet extensively, explored. 

V. The third section, into which we have divided the State, and which we have i 
called the mountainous, is in breadth from 10 to 40 miles, measured at right angles ■. 
with the direction of the mountains. This district is the most interesting, as it is f 
the most varied, in its geological formation, surface, soil, mineral and vegetable pro- 
ductions. 

The geological formations here are much blended and confounded ; and the most J 
we can attempt is to designate and describe the strongly marked divisions. The 
secondary section we have above noticed, is bounded on the N. W. throughout its 
range by a broad district of primitive ; containing, however, a large proportion of 
transition. The southern limits of this district are marked by the chain of highlandsl 
running S. W. from the Ramapo and Pompton Mountains, on the line of New York,^ 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 13 

by Morristown, Baskingridge and Flemington to, and across, the Delaware, near Sax- 
ton ville. The extension, northward, is limited to a line running west of the Wallkill 
Mountains, and thence crossing the Delaware in the neighbourhood of Belvidere. A 
belt of transition, having an average breadth of about six miles, including Long 
Pond, Raffenberg and Greenpond Mountains, continues, we believe, along the eastern 
foot of Musconetcong and Schooley's Mountains, across the State. The continuity of 
the eastern ridges of the primitive, with its belt of transition, is interrupted in many 
places by the streams ; yet the hills form few valleys of considerable extent, and are 
generally less elevated in this State than in the vicinity of the Hudson River, where 
they rise to 1600 feet. They are usually crowned by sugarloaf eminences, forming 
a waving profile, characteristic of primitive regions. The summits are commonly 
covered with masses of rock, which render them unfit for culture. 

The primitive ridges contain rocks of pretty uniform character; in general coarse, 
well crystallized aggregates of quartz and feldspar; often enclosing shorl, garnets, 
hornblende and epidote, with little mica; and in many places, for a considerable ex- 
tent, none. These simple materials, variously combined, form granite, gneiss and 
sienite. Primitive greenstone is observable also in some cases. 

In the transition section, grauwacke and grauwacke slate, are the most common 
rocks. The extensive ranges in Bergen and Morris counties, of Long Pond, Raffen- 
berg, and Green Pond Mountains, for miles present stupendous mural precipices, 
facing the east, of a reddish brown grauwacke, composed of red and white quartz, 
red and grey jasper, and indurated clay. The rocks are stratified, inclining to the 
north-west at an angle of about 40°. They are scattered in abundance on the banks 
of the Pequannock, from Newfoundland to Pompton. Grauwacke, in place, is some- 
times observed, resting on sienite adjacent to the Pequannock. Extensive beds of 
magnetic iron ore are found on these ranges at Ringwood and Mount Pleasant, and 
at Suckasunny, at the mines of General Dickenson, being on the strata which ex- 
tends 300 miles from the White Hills of Newliampshire, to the end of the primitive 
ridge near Black River. These beds are from 8 to 12 feet thick; and the ore from 
the mine of General Dickenson produces the best iron manufactured from highland 
ore. Calcareous spar and asbestos are frequent, and sulphuret of iron abounds in 
various parts of the Highlands. Probably, the most extensive bed of the last is in 
Morris county, near the eastern base of Copperas Mountain, and opposite to Green 
Pond. Copperas was manufactured here extensively during the late war with Great 
Britain. Many rich beds of iron ore in this region, are rendered useless for the forge 
by sulphur. Graphite or black lead, in various stages of purity, is common. 

At Monro Iron Works, (N. Y.) on the River Ramapo, large plates of black mica, 
crystallized in hexaedral form, are seen sometimes a foot in diameter. Compact 
feldspar and epidote, are in the elevated primitive ranges west of the transition dis- 
trict, and compact limestone at various parts of the transition range ; and in the vici- 
nity of New Germantown, and on a line running N. E. and S. W. from that point, 
pudding limestone, not inferior in beauty to that employed in the capitol of Wash- 
ington, is abundant, and frequently converted into lime. In the primitive range of 
Morris county, west of Pompton Plains, called Stony Brook Mountains, chlorite 
slate is common, and granular limestone has recently been found in the same moun- 
tain. The latter is in colour clear white, admits of good polish, and is often asso- 
ciated with beautiful amiantiius and talc, alternating in narrow veins. In the same 
vicinity there is a greyish white marble, rendered porphyritic by grains of noble ser- 
pentine disseminated through it. It is hard and receives a fine polish. In the talc, 
metallic crystals supposed to be chromate of iron, have been observed. From the 
last mentioned mineral an acid is extracted, which, united with lead, forms chromate 
of lead, a valuable pigment. Galena has been observed in the grauwacke ranges 
adjacent to Green Pond, and beautiful tremolite is connected with the white granu- 
i lar limestone of Stoneybrook. 

j North-west of the transition, the primitive resumes its empire, and includes the 
\ Wallkill and Hamburg Mountains, which are continued in Schooley's and the Mus- 
conetcong Mountains, from the line of New York to the line of Pennsylvania, un- 
divided by any stream. In this ridge and the portion of the primitive sections west 

■ of it, the primitive, the transition, and the secondary formations seem combined. 

■ This region also includes Marble Mountain, Scott's Mountain, Jenny Jump, Furnace 
. Mountain, Pimple Hill, Pochuck Mountain, and other innominate hills. This, also, 
' is a remarkable mineral district. Schooley's Mountain and the Musconetcong, 
t abound with highly magnetic iron ore, blended however with foreign substances, 



14 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

which render liquefaction difficult. Along the valleys and hill sides of this moun- 
tain tliere is an abundance of excellent flints suitable for guns. 

West of the Hamburg Mountain lies the valley of the Wallkill, or, as it is some- 
times called, the Valley of Sparta; running east of north twenty miles to the State 
of New York, much noted for the number and variety of its minerals. A white 
crystalline limestone and marble occupies the bottom of the valley, and rises on the 
west into a low subsidiary ridge following the course of the stream eight or nine miles. 
The metalliferous deposits, however, claim the greatest interest. The first or eastern 
bed, which at Franklin appears like a black mountain mass, contains an ore of iron 
commonly little magnetic, and, as a new metalliferous combination, has received the 
name of Franklinite, and is composed of 66 per cent, of iron, 16 of zinc, and 17 of 
the red oxide of manganese. On its supposed richness the great furnace of Frank- 
lin was built, but it was soon discovered that this ore was not only irreducible to 
metallic iron, but that it obstructed the fusion of other ores. If employed in quan- 
tity exceeding one-tenth of the magnetic oxide of iron with which it was economi- 
cally mixed, there resulted what the smelters term a salamander ; an alloy of iron 
with manganese, which resisted fusion and crystallized even under the blast, so that 
all the metal was lost, the hearth demolished, and 10 or 12 yoke of oxen required 
to drag away the useless mass. At Franklin, it is but sparingly intermixed with 
the red oxide of zinc. About two miles north, the bed ceases to be apparent at the 
surface, but may be traced seven miles to the south-east. Three miles from the fur- 
nace, at Stirling, is another huge mass of this mineral, but so combined with the red 
oxide of zinc, that the crystals of Franklinite are imbedded in the zinc, forming a 
metalliferous porphyry. This ore, merely pounded and mixed with copper, was 
profitably employed during the late war for forming brass. Often, within a kw feet 
west of the Franklinite, appear beds of well characterized magnetic oxide of iron, 
but always accompanied by hornblende rock. A species of this last ore, found near 
the furnace, is intimately blended with plumbago. Here, also, are curious beds of 
yellow garnet, imperfect sienitic granite, in which are beautiful opaque blackish 
brown masses of garnet of a high resinous lustre, and crystallized on the surface, 
accompanied with laminated epidote; white and compact massive or minutely lami- 
nated augite, in some parts intimately blended with specks of violet, granular feld- 
spar, resembling petrosilex; sphene, brown garnet, dark green granular augite, like 
the cocolite of Lake Champlain; phosphate of lime ; spinelle and black spinelle or 
fowlerite, from Dr. Fowler, of Franklin, its discoverer; specular iron ore ; brucite, 
bronzite, pargazite and idocras, zircon, tremolite, imbedded in crystals of white au- 
gite; actynolite, short crystals of augite almost black, like those of volcanic rocks; 
apatite, a beautiful apple green feldspar, in crystalline carbonate of lime, accom- 
panied with perfect crystals of mica, and hexagonal plates of plumbago, soft and 
almost as fusible as hornblende ; a very brilliant pale green hornblende, passing into 
actynolite, which has been denominated maclureite, in honour of him who has done 
so much for American geology, and natural science in general; — blue and white 
sapphire, enormous green crystals of augite, at least an inch and a half in diame- 
ter, presenting hexaedral or octahedral prisms, with almost equal faces, and termi- 
nated by oblique tetrahedral pyramids, accompanied, near the junction of granite 
and crystallized carbonate of lime, with large crystals of feldspar; scapolite, or wer- 
nerite ; arsenical pyrites, mixed with others resembling the sulphuret of cobalt, or 
nickel, with a substance like blende, accompanied by dendrodite, and argillaceous i 
fluate of lime. 

The crystalline calcareous rock which here alternates with granitines of feldspar 
and quartz, or with beds of sienitic granite, at other places, disappears, and a conflu- 
ent grauwacke, almost porphyritic, and contemporaneous, apparently, with the other 
formations, is observed, directly overlaid by a bed of leaden, minutely granular, se- 
condary limestone, containing organic remains of the usual shells and corallines, 
and layers of blackish hornstone or petrosilex. This rock, as well as the grau- 
wacke beneath has disseminated crystals of blue fluate of lime. In the limestone i^ 
the cavities are sometimes very numerous, and lined both with pseudomorphous ^^ 
masses and cubes, and white fluate and quartz crystals. Thus we have here before n 
us, as at Lake Champlain, the rare and interesting spectacle of an union of every )| 
class of rocks, but passing decidedly into each other, as if almost contemporaneous. 
This singular formation, to which slate should be added, extends into Orange coun- 
ty. State of New York. Immense masses, some miles in length, of the red oxide 
of zinc, lie in the mountains, near Sparta; and as this ore may be easily converted 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 15 

into metal, they will probably one day add greatly to the wealtli of this portion of 
the State. The white crystalline limestone, which is so interesting a feature of 
this region, has been distinctly traced from Mounts Adam and Eve, in the state of 
New York, to Byram township of Sussex county, in an uninterrupted line of twen- 
ty-five miles, with a width varying from two and a half miles, to that of a few rods, 
its greatest breadth being at the state line. Its inclination, except at Mounts Adam 
and Eve, is low, often falling below the adjoining limestone of more recent date. 
It crops out, only here and there, in large masses; and its continuity is to be ob- 
served, solely, by boulders and loose stones, scattered over the surface. It most 
probably extends, with occasional breaks, to Easton on the Delaware. Silver 
and gold are asserted to have been found in several places of the primitive re- 
gion, and attempts have been made at various times, by the ignorant, who have 
been self-deceived, and by the knavish who have deceived others, to work veins of 
pyrites, which liave a resemblance to those metals. 

Among these primitive ridges, we must notice, upon the S. W., Scott's Moun- 
tain, and Jenny Jump, in both of which, are extensive deposits of magnetic iron 
ore, and other interesting minerals. In the first, near Oxford furnace, the mining 
of iron was many years ago very extensively conducted, and shafts of great depth, 
and drifts of great length, are still visible. The works, however, had been long 
abandoned, when Messrs. Henry and Jordan, from Pennsylvania, with praisewor- 
thy enterprise recommenced them in 1832. They are now prosecuting a vein of 
productive magnetic ore, blended with carbonate of lime, from 10 to 12 feet wide, 
enclosed by parietes of mica shale. Throughout tiiese mountains, the elements of 
primitive rock may be found variously and curiously combined ; but we are not 
aware, that they have been subjected to minute examination by the naturalist. 
N. W. of the primitive hills we have described, there lies a valley, having an 
I average breadth of about 10 miles, but broadest near the Delaware, extending over 
the northern parts of Sussex and Warren counties. It is drained for the greatest 
part by Paulin's Kill, flowing to the Delaware, and may, tlierefore, properly be 
termed Paulin's Kill Valley. It is bounded on the N. W. by the Blue Mountain. 
The valley is covered with knolls and low ridges, at first view apparently in much 
confusion, but which may be traced on the inclination of the mountains. Transi- 
tion limestone alternates here with slate. A notable ridge of the latter bounds the 
Paulin's Kill on the S. E. side, from near its mouth to Newton, whilst the N. W. 
side is as strikingly distinguished by its range of limestone, which may be traced 
to Orange county. New York. North of the limestone, there is another ridge of 
I slate, of a character well adapted for roofing and ciphering slate, quarries of which 
1 are extensively worked on the Delaware. Between this slate and the Blue Moun- 
tain lies a bed of grauwacke. The mountain contains the usual species of transition 
rocks, grauwacke, in every variety of aggregation, slate, mountain limestone, and 
greenstone, and rising from 1400 to 1600 feet high, is covered with wood, in which 
1 the deer, bear, wolf, and most wild animals, indigenous, still roam. N. W. of the 
1 mountain, bounded by the Delaware River, lies a fertile tract of transition lime- 
I stone land, watered by the Flat Kill, and varying in width from one to seven miles. 
t The mountains of this third section are, generally, in a state of nature. There 
I are, however, some cultivated spots, which reward the husbandman. But the val- 
jleys form the most fertile portions of the State. Thej' are generally based on lime- 
■' 'stone; and since lime has been extensively adopted as manure, they have rapidly 
I improved. This is especially the case among the Highlands, at Clinton, New Ger- 
' Imantown, in the valleys of the north and south branches of the Raritan and of La- 
'Ijmington rivers, in the valleys of the Musconetcong, the Pohatcong, the Pequest 
■ I and its tributaries, and valleys of Paulin's Kill and Flat Kill. All these produce 
wheat in abundance, and where wheat abounds and finds a ready way to market, 
I ino otlier good tiling is absent. Wheat and iron are the staples of the country, which 
1. !in the lower part of the section, seek the market by the Morris canal. There were, 
■'• [in 1832, by the report of the assessors, fifteen furnaces and eighty-seven foro-e fires 
! 'in operation in the counties of Sussex, Warren, Morris and Bergen. By the com- 
' pletion of the Morri.s canal, the iron mines are growing into vast importance; great 
'demand for the ores having been created in West Jersey, Pennsylvania and New 
York. From the valley of the Musconetcong immense quantities of wheat are 
I .exported, individual farmers raising from one thousand to three thousand bushels 
' per annum. 

-Marble for ornamental architecture is abundant in this district. At Mendham, 



16 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

Morris county, it occurs with dendritic impressions in which it resembles the beau- 
tiful marble of Florence. White marble and noble serpentine, we are told, are 
found in large masses on the Pompton Mountain, and also near Phillipsburg. Man- 
ganese, too, is said to be abundant in various parts of the section, and a water 
lime, similar to that of New York, has been discovered at Mendham and other 
places. 

South-east of the Musconetcong Mountain, this district is drained by the Rama- 
po River, which divides the primitive formation from the secondary, in Bergen 
county; by Longpond or Ringvvood River, which rises in Longpond or Greenwood 
Lake; by the Pequannock, which has its source in the Wallkill Mountains: these 
streams uniting in Pompton and Saddle River townships, Bergen county, form the 
Pompton River, which joins the Passaic, about four miles N. W. of the Little Falls. 
The Passaic receives also the Rockaway, Whippany and Dead Rivers. The re- 
mainder of this part of the section is tributary to the Raritan River, which receives 
from it, three of its main branches; the North, the Lamington and the South; each 
of which has a tortuous course, and waters a great extent of surface, bat all hav- 
ing their source S. W. of the Musconetcong and Hamburg Mountains, which sepa- 
rate entirely the whole of the section. 

There are several lakes, of from four to six miles in compass, and others larger. 
The principal is Greenwood Lake, upon the confines of New York, about 16 miles- 
in circumference ; lying in a narrow valley of the Highlands, scarce a mile wide. 
Mackepin, in the southern part of Pompton township, covers less surface, and is 
supposed to be 600 feet above the waters of an adjacent mountain valley. Green- 
pond, on the south of the Hamburg turnpike and near the valley of Newfoundland, 
is a beautiful sheet of water, about eight miles in circumference, bounded E. by 
the woodclad Copperas Mountain, and W. by a high and savage hill, which bears 
its name. Two or three farm houses, pleasantly situated, on a sandy beach, on its 
northern bank, serve as an hostelrie, for the sportsmen of Morris and Bergen coun- 
ties, when resorting to this their favourite spot. Some of the lakes in the transition 
region have their borders girded by lofty walls of grauwacke, and rival in their ro- 
mantic scenery the celebrated sheets of Cumberland and Westmoreland. Budd's 
Pond upon Schooley's Mountain is also remarkable for its fish, as were Hurds and 
Hopatcong Lakes ; but the last is now celebrated as the perennial source of the sup- 
ply of water for the Morris Canal, being on the summit level, and the principal 
feeder. In its natural state the Hopatcong poured forth its waters to the Delaware, 
only, by the Musconetcong Creek, which courses the north-western base of the 
Musconetcong Mountain. 

The streams that drain the interval, between the Musconetcong and the Blue 
Mountain, westwardly, are. the Musconetcong, Pohatcong, Lapatcong, Pequest, 
and Paulinskill; and eastwardly, the Wallkill. In this valley there are also several 1 
small lakes, the most curious of which are the White Ponds, near Marksboro', and 1 
Pimple Hill, both noted for the quantity of the shells of the small white fresh water I 
snail, which covers the bottom and banks. At the first, the mass of these shells ik I 
enormous, covering the sides and bottom of the pond many feet thick. North of the g 
Blue Mountain the only stream worth special notice is the Flatkill. 

Oak, walnut, beach, birch, ash, elm and sugar maple, are the predominant timber i 
of the third section. Pine, hemlock, and cedar, are scattered through the forest, adja- 
cent to the lakes and streams. On the high points of ground, walnut and oak are e 
the most common trees. Shrub oak is the most frequent in the transition highland c 
district which passes through Morris county. It occupies almost exclusively an ex- 
tensive level interval on the north of Suckasunny Plain, attaining the height of six i 
or eight feet, and forming an entangled thicket, beneath which the ground is co- > 
vered with loose stones. 

We have already mentioned the number of peach orchards in the alluvial of the ( 
State, and we may observe here, that the apple orchards of the secondary, primitive,? 
and transition sections, are not less worthy of notice. The cider of New Jersey is ii 
justly preferred to any other of tlie United States, and the quantity of ardent spirit i 
distilled from it, may be conjectured by a glance at the list of distilleries in the ge- 
neral statistical table. 

For a more particular notice of the rivers of the State, and of the bridges which 
cross them, we refer the reader to the names of the streams, respectively, in the 
subsequent part of the work. But we will conclude this physical sketch by a view 
of the turnpike roads, rail roads, and canals, which traverse the State. 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 17 

teHno. tf •> u' °^^''^'^ iMiprovements seen.s threefold. 1 The facili- 

;tet.ng the commun.cation between the great cities of New York and Ph lade ph ia 
8. The niore ready approach from the interior to the markets of New Yo and Eas 
Titjul l»°^-^^«f-g"-Jture and the mines; and 3. The drawxn. e p'oduc" 
ot the Delaware river, to the waters of East Jersey and New Yn.-U- .^11,^7. 

Thnl , J , *^ °^ ^''^"" enactment, with their respective suonlements 
I Those marked wUh an asterisk, ^ have been wholly, or partfally, carrS il ef: 

1801, March 9. *l. Morris Turnpike, from Elizabethtown, through Morristown and 

Neu'ton, over the Minisink Mountain, at Culver's Gap, to 

1802, Nov 30 -2 „ ^JT °^'''^^^^"-«' °PPosite Milford. Supplement, Nov. 10, 1803. 
I 1804 Feb II' 4 11"":^''''/^^' ""d Hoboken. Supplement, Nov. 16, 1807 

' Ifinfi'^ 3. Union, from Morristown to Sparta. 

I l««b, JNov. 11. 4. Union continued from Sparta, through Culver's Gap, to the 

ISOi IV I. ^. -Delaware. Supplement, Feb. 4, 1815. 

1.U4, iNov. 14. -5. Trenton and New Brunswick. Supplement, Nov. 28, 1806 
Jeb. 1, 1814. 

1804, Dec. 1. *6. City of Jersey and Hackensack. To which the state subscribed 
.1 isnfi V.h o. «-. $^^500. Supplement, Nov. 4, 1808. 

.| l»Ob,l.eb. 24. 7. Newa_,-k and Pompton. Supplement, Nov. 28, 1806. Jan. 28, 

27. J8. Newark and Mount Pleasant. Supplement, May 9, 1820. 

9. Jersey, from New Brunswick to Easton Bridge, on the Dela- 
ware. Supplement, Nov. 28, 1806. Feb. 22 1811 Feb 14 
TV/r u o . ^^'^^- ^^^- 1^' ^8^6. Feb. 16, 1831 ' " " ' 

„ March 3. 10. Essex and Middlesex, from New Brunswick to Newark Sup- 
plement, Nov. 17, 1821. 
*11. Washington, from Morristown to the Delaware, opposite to Eas- 
ton. Supplement, Nov. 15. 1809. 
*12. Patterson and Hamburg, fromAcquackanonck landing to Deck- 
lOA. n^ , ertown. Supplement, Nov. 26. 1806 Nov •>-^ is->9 

1806, March 3. 14. Springfield and Newark. ' ^• 

" March 12 *?«■ H """i"^'."' ^''"". o""" ^^^P"^^ ^^ the New York line. 
„ march 12. 16. Hunterdon and Sussex 

I 1807, Dec. 3. ^7. Princeton and Kingston-branch of Trenton and New Bruns- 
wick turnpike. 

18. Jefferson, through Berkshire valley to the Patterson and Ham- 
burg road. 
., Nov. 16. 19. Belleville, from Belleville bridge to the Newark and Pompton 

1808, Nov. 22. ; 0. Perth Amboy, to Boundbrook. Supplement, Feb. 18, 1820. 
[ - » „ 21. Woodbridge, from New Brunswick, through Piscataway and 

Woodbridge, to Rah way. ^ 

„ Nov. 24. 22. Btirlington, through Bordentown, to intersect the Trenton and 
New Brunswick turnpike. Supplement, November, 1809. 
i'eb. 6, 1811. ' 

., Nov. 28. 23. Jersey and Acquackanonck, from Acquackanonck to Belleville 

turnpike. 
;, 28. *25. Deckertown and Milford. Supplement, Feb 10 1813 Dec 

( " 7,1825. Dec. 16. 1826. ' 

I 1»0», Wov. 28. -13. Patterson and Hamburg, continued from Deckertown over the 
Blue Mountain, to the Delaware opposite to Milford Sun 
29 «24 Pn?'"'"*'^'.V^','^''^- Feb. 15,1816. January 23, 1818. 
, » 29. 24. Parsippany and Rockaway, from Vanduyns,tJiroughRockaway 

'--„ _, , to the Union turnpike. •'' 

'1911, Feb. 8. 26. Water Gap, from the Morris and Sussex turnpike, near the 34 
mile post, through Milton and Hope, to the Delaware, near 
the Water Gap. Supplement, Feb. 3, 1813 
• '^^ R'"gwood and Longpond, and division line between the 29th 
1819 ^^°"^'' ^"PP^^"^^"t' Feb. 10, 1813. Feb. 6, 

C 



„ Feb. 


11. 


38. 


1815, Jan. 


18. 


*39. 


„ Feb. 


6. 


*40. 



18 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

1811, Feb. 9. 28. Farmers, from Springfield, through New Providence, Long 
Hill, Pluckemin, to the Jersey turnpike near Potterstown. 

„ 11. *29. Newark and Morris, from Newark, through S. Orange to Bot- 

tle Hill or Morristown. Supplement, Feb. 12, 1817. Jan. 
15, 1818. Feb. 7, 1820. Dec. 5, 1823. 

„ 14. 30. Vernon, from the division line, near Decay's, to the Patterson 

and Hamburg turnpike. 

„ 31. New Milford, from the division line between the 29th and 30th 

mile stones. 

1813, Jan. 12. 32. Dover, to Suckasunny. 

J, *33. Spruce Run, from Clinton, in Hunterdon county, to the Wash- 

ington turnpike road, near Sherard's mill, in Sussex county. 
Supplement, Jan. 26, 1814. Jan. 27, 1818. 

,, Feb. 11. 34. Hope and Hackettstown. 

,, *35. New Germantown, from Bayle's Mill and White House to New 

Germantown. 

1814, Jan. 27. "36. Deckertown and Newton. Supplement, Feb. 4, 1817. Feb. 4, 

1831. 
,, 37. Vernon and Newton, from Decay's, in the division line, by 

Hamburo-, to Sussex Court House. 
New Brunswick and Middleburg. 

Hackensack and Hoboken. Supplement, Jan. 21, 1818. 
Patterson and Hackensack. Supplement, Feb. 27, 1824. Nov. 
6, 1827. 
„ Feb. 11. 41. Mount Hope and Longwood. Feb. 7, 1820. 
,, 42. New Providence, from Morristown to Scotch Plains. 

1816, Feb. 15. 43. Georgetown and Franklin. Supplement, Jan. 20, 1819. Dec. 

12, 1823. Feb. 25, 1828. 
,, Feb. 16. *44. Bordentown and South Amboy. Supplement, January 20, 

1817. Nov. 6, 1819. Dec. 8, 1826. 
,, 45. Belleville, to the Newark and Pompton road , at the Little Falls. 

,, 46. Woodbridge, to the New Blazing Star. 

„ 47. Patterson and Hamburg, to the Hudson, from Acquackanonck- 

Bridge, to the Hackensack and Hoboken roads near the' 

Three Pigeons. Supplement, Dec. 7, 1824. 

1817, Feb. 12. *48. Pochuck, from Hamburg to Goshen, N. Y. 
1819, Jan. 21. 49. Columbia and Walpack, to intersect the Sussex and Morris i 

turnpike. 

„ Feb. 6. 50. Newton, from near Andover furnace, through Newton, to the: 

third district of the Morris and Essex turnpike, near the Blue i 

Mountain. 

1825, Nov. 23. 51. Patterson and New Prospect. 

„ 52. Patterson and New Antrim, from Patterson through Saddle i 

River and Franklin townships. 
1828, Jan. 23. 53. Hackensack and Fort Lee. 

,, 54. Passaicj from Patterson to Little Falls. 

Not more than half the projects for roads, which have received legislative sanc-c 
tion, have been executed ; but in some instances the new laws were wholly, or; 
partly, substituted for others, of which tlie designated routes had been abandoned- 
There have been made, however, about 550 miles of turnpike road, principally ofc 
earth and gravel. We do not recollect to have seen, in any direction, five conti-ii 
nuous miles of road paved with stone. The main higliways of the State are pre- 
served in pretty good condition, and generally during the summer and fall seasonsi 
may be travelled with pleasure, in every direction. Some of them are preferable to 
the turnpikes, particularly such as pass over the slate and sandstone regions, where 
the hard rock approaches the surface. 

VII. Up to the year 1833, nine companies have been chartered for making rail^j 
roads, with authority to employ the sum of $7,140,000 towards these objects. The 
Camden and Amboy Rail-road Company was incorporated under the act of February 
4th, 1830, authorizing a capital stock of $1,000,000, with privilege to increase i1 
$500,000, divided into shares of $100 each, to be employed in the construction oJ 
rail-road or roads, with all necessary appendages, from the Delaware River, at somci 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 19 

point between Cooper's and Newton Creeks, in the county of Gloucester, to some 
point on the Raritan Bay ; the road to be one hundred feet wide, with as many set 
of tracks as may be necessary, witli a lateral road to Bordentown ; reserving to the 
legislature the right to subscribe one-fourth, or less, of the capital stock, within a limi- 
ted lime — which right was not exercised — with condition, also, that the road should 
be commenced within two, and be completed within nine, years; and that the com- 
pany should make quarterly returns of the number of passengers, and tons of mer- 
chandise, transported upon the road, to the state treasurer; and pay a transit duty 
of ten cents for each passenger, and fifteen cents for each ton of merchandise, in 
lieu of all other taxes. The company was empowered to decide upon the descrip- 
tion of carriages to be used on the road, the weight to be transported on each, the 
times of starting and rates of travelling, and to regulate the tolls ; and was required 
to provide suitable steam or other vessels, at either extremity of the road, for the 
transportation of passengers. The State, also, reserved to itself the right to pur- 
chase the road at and after the expiration of thirty years, at a valuation to be made 
according to law ; stipulating, that if the legislature shall authorize the construc- 
tion of any other rail-road for the transportation of passengers across the State from 
New York to Philadelphia, which road shall be constructed and used, and which 
sliall commence and terminate within three miles of the commencement and termi- 
nation of the road authorized by the act, then the transit duties shall cease ; and 
that such other rail-road shall be liable to a tax not less than the amount payable to 
the State by this company. 

By an act passed 4th February, 1S31, it was further stipulated between the 
State and the company, that the latter should transfer to the former 1000 shares of 
the capital stock, the instalments thereon to be paid by the company ; the State to 
appoint one director, on condition, that it should not be lawful to construct any rail- 
road for the transportation of passengers across the State, within three miles of the 
road of the company, until after the expiration of the term of nine years from the 
date of the act of incorporation, (Feb 4th, 1830.) And that when any other rail- 
road for the transportation of passengers and property between New York and Phila- 
delphia shall be constructed and used, by virtue of any law of this State or of the 
United States, authorizing or recognising such road, that the dividends on the stock 
should cease, and the stock be retransferred to the company. 

By the act of 15th February, 1831, the Camden and Amboy Rail-road and the 
Delaware and Raritan Canal Companies were consolidated, for the purposes of com- 
pleting the canal and road, subject to the provisions, reservations and conditions of 

: their respective charters; the directors appointed under which are empowered to 
manage the affairs of the companies in joint meeting; and the companies are jointly 

I liable on the contracts made by either ; and are prohibited from charging more than 

i three dollars for the transportation of passengers from and to the cities of New 
York and Philadelphia. This act further provides that the canal and rail-road shall 
be completed within the time specified in the respective charters ; and that if one of 
the works at the expiration of such time be completed without the other, that the 
work completed shall be forfeited to the State. 

By the act of 2d March, 1832, 1000 shares of the joint capital stock are transfer- 
red to the State; and the companies contract that, if within one year from the time 
that the rail-road shall be completed, the transit duty received by the acts incorpora- 

' ting such companies, and the dividends on the stock so transferred, shall not amount 

■ to ^30,000, the companies shall pay the deficiency to the State ; and so, annually, 
• out of the joint funds, and before any dividend be made to the stockholders, so as to 

■ secure to the State the sum of i|30,000 at least, annually, during the charter; and 

■ that the State may appoint one director to represent the stock, but shall not vote 
thereon at any election of the stockholders. The state directors are appointable by 

' the governor. The companies further covenant to construct a lateral rail-road from 
the village of Spottswood to the city of New Brunswick, to be completed so soon as 
any rail-road shall be made from that city to the Hudson River ; and that they will 
not charge more than $2.50 for every passenger carried to and from the cities of 

' New Brunswick and Philadelphia. The condition of these grants, however, is, that 
it shall not be lawful at any time during the rail-road charter, to construct any other 
rail-road in the State, without the consent of the companies, which shall be intended 
or used for the transportation of passengers or merchandise between the cities of 

; New York and Philadelphia, or to compete in business, with the Camden and Amboy 

'' Rail-road. 



20 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

The united companies have completed one track of rail-road from a point below 
Bordentown, on the Delaware River, to South Amboy, passing through, or rather 
over, Hight's Town and by Spottswood, a distance of 35 miles, at an expense, it is 
said, of more than ,>|18,000 the mile. Upon this road passengers and merchandise 
have been carried since February, 1833. It is constructed in a very substantial man- 
ner of cast iron rails, supported upon blocks of stone, or wooden sleepers, placed 
three feet distant from each other in the line. Until September, 1833, the carriages 
were commonly drawn by horses ; at that time steam locomotives were applied to 
one of the three daily lines which traverse it. 

The remainder of the road from Bordentown to Camden is in progress, and is 
being constructed of wood, faced with iron bars ; it being supposed that it will not 
be employed more than two or three months in the year, and will therefore not re- 
quire the strength of the portion betv/een Bordentown and New York. 

By the power which this company has to regulate the tolls on the road, they are 
enabled to exclude all other persons from its use, and to secure to themselves a mo- 
nopoly thereof; and this they have effected. 

The West Jersey Rail-road was designed to be connected with the Camden and 
Amboy Rail-roads, at Camden; and to run, thence, to any point upon the Delaware 
River, in the township of Penn's Neck, in the county of Salem. The company was 
authorized to have a capital of half a million, and to increase it to one million of 
dollars ; and the road was to be commenced within two years from the passage of 
the act, (12th February, 1831,) and to be completed within five years. The road 
not having been commenced, the charter may be deemed void. 

The Patterson and Hudson River Rail- road Company, was incorporated under the 
act of 21st January, 1831, with a capital of $250,000, and the privilege to extend it 
to half a million; and was authorized to make a rail-road or lateral roads from one 
or more suitable places in the town of Patterson, one at least of which to commence 
at or pass in its course within 50 feet of the corner of the present lower race-way 
in the town of Patterson, at the intersection of Congress and Mill streets, near the - 
Catholic Chapel, to Weehawkin ; and from thence to any other suitable place or 
places on the Hudson River opposite to the city of New York, within 50 feet of 
high- water mark, not exceeding 66 feet wide, with as many tracks as they may deem 
necessary, crossing the Hackensack River upon or near the bridge of the New Bar- 
badoes Company. By act 18th November, 1831, the company was empowered to 
locate the road from the east side of Berry's Hill, in the county of Bergen, to the 
Hudson River, and on making a tunnel through Bergen Hill, to charge additional 
toll. 

The company are empowered also to purchase and employ all means necessary jp i 
the transportation of merchandise, passengers, &c. upon the road, but the road is 
declared a public highway, free to all persons paying the prescribed toll, and may be 
purchased by the State after the expiration of fifty years from its completion. The'; 
treasurer of the company is required to make to the State treasurer annual returns i 
of the number of passengers, and tons of merchandise, &c. transported on the road, 
and after the expiration of five years from the passing of the act, to pay to the State, ,| 
annually, one-quarter of one per cent., and after the expiration of ten years, one-half f 
per cent, on the capital stock paid in, in lieu of all taxation. 

By an act of 3d February, 1831, the Patterson Junction Rail-road Company wa'8 i 
incorporated with a capital of $20,000, which may be increased to $40,000, and I 
a power to construct a rail-road or lateral roads from the Morris Canal, distant not f 
more than one and a half miles from the corner of Congress and Mill streets, in the i< 
town of Patterson, to intersect the Patterson and Hudson River Rail-road, within r 
the town of Patterson. This is also declared a public highway, and the company y 
are required, when the road shall be completed, to file a statement of its cost in the 
office of the secretary of state, and annuallj' thereafter to report to the legislature « 
the proceeds of the road, until they shall amount to seven per cent, upon its cost, l[ 
and afterwards annually to pay to the State a tax of one-half per cent, on such coat ' 
in lieu of all taxes. And the legislature have reserved the right to purchase such ' 
road upon terms similar to those annexed to the charter of the Patterson and Hud- 
son River Rail-road Company; and the charter of this, as of that company, is de- 
clared void, if the road be not commenced in one year, and finished in five years from 
the 4th July, 1831. 

The Patterson and Fort Lee Rail-road Company, incorporated by the act of 
8th March, 1832, has authority to employ a capital of $200,000 in making a road 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 21 

from the town of Patterson to Fort Lee, on the Hudson River, not further than 50 
feet from high- water mark; to be commenced within one year from the 4th July, 
1832, and completed within six years from that time, under penalty of forfeiture of 
the charter ; and subject to be purchased by the State at the expiration of thirty 
years from the completion of the road, and to a transit duty of the one-quarter of 
one per cent, yearly, after the expiration of six years from the passage of the act, 
and the half of one per cent, after the expiration of ten years, upon the capital stock, 
in lieu of all other taxes. 

The Elizabethtown and Somerville Rail-road Company, by the act of 9th Fe- 
bruary, 1831, was empowered to construct a road from the village of Somerville to 
Elizabethtown, passing as near as practicable by Boundbrook, Plainfield, Scotch 
Plains and Westfield, subject to a tax of one-half of one per cent, upon the cost, an- 
nually, after the proceeds of the road shall yield seven per cent, thereon, and to the 
avoidance of the charter in case the road be not completed within seven years from 
the 4th July, 1831. This road is to be a public highway, and may be purchased 
by the State on the terms established in the case of the Patterson and Hudson road, 
and the State may subscribe $2-5,000 to the stock of the company, at any time before, 
or within, twelve months after the road shall be completed. 

The capital stock originally permitted to the company, was $200,000, with the 
privilege of increase to $400,000; but, by the act of 8th February, 1833, authority 
was given to add $500,000 immediately to the stock, and, eventually, should it be 
found necessary, $500,000 more; and to extend the road from the village of Somer- 
ville, by the village of Clinton, in the county of Hunterdon, to the Delaware River, 
opposite to the village of Belvidere, in the county of Warren, with a branch, if the 
company deem it expedient, to the Delaware River, between the mouth of the Mus- 
conetcong Creek and the Easton Delaware Bridge ; subject to all the restrictions 
and reservations made by the original act. The great object of this extension of the 
road, is to unite it with the North-western Rail-road, which it is proposed to com- 
mence at the Delaware, opposite Belvidere, and to run through the Blue Mountain 
at the Water Gap, and by Stroudsburg, through a densely wooded country to PiLtston, 
on the Susquehanna; being located for about 18 miles upon an inexhaustible coal 
bed. From this coal region, the road may be connected with several authorized 
roads into western New York. If this road be executed, it will open a convenient 
way to the New York market, not only from one of the most fertile and interesting 
portions of the State of New Jersey, but will give a direction to the produce of a 
portion of New York territory, otherwise destined to reach the city of Philadelphia. 
A portion of the stock for this route has, we understand, been subscribed. 

The New Jersey Rail-road and Transportation Company was incorporated by the 

act of 7th March, 1832, with a capital of $750,000, and the privilege to double it, 

divided into shares of $50 each; with power to make a rail-road not more than 66 

feet wide, with as many tracks as they may deem proper, from such point in the 

city of New Brunswick, as shall be agreed upon by them and the corporation of 

that city, through or near the villages of Rahway and Woodbridge, within half a 

mile of the market house, in Elizabethtown, and through Newark, by the most 

practicable route, and thence contiguous to, or south of the bridges, over the Hack- 

ensack and Passaic River; crossing Bergen Ridge, south of the turnpike road to 

some convenient point not less than 50 feet from high-water mark, on the Hudson 

I river, opposite to the city of Nev/ York : and to make a branch road to any ferry 

j on the Hudson opposite to New York, which shall join the main road within 100 

[ yards of the Hackensack River, if the main road cross that river within 100 yards 

\ of the present bridge: but if more than 100 yards from that bridge, then the branch 

to join it, at such point, west of the river, as shall best give to the ferries equal fa- 

i cilities of communication with Newark. And if the company do not construct such 

j branch, as soon as the main road from Newark to the Hudson shall be made, then 

, the law authorizes the owner of the ferry so to do, with the same power and liabi- 

i lities as the company. The act, also, empowers the company to regulate the time 

t and manner of transporting goods and passengers, the description and formation of 

; carriages; and the rates and modes of collecting toll within the following limits; viz. 

■- for empty carriages, weighing less than a ton, two cents; more than one, and less than 

i two tons, four cents; above three tons, eight cents per mile ; and in addition thereto, 

i six cents per ton for goods, and three cents for each passenger, per mile. Provided, 

that no farmer of the State shall pay toll for carrying the produce of his farm, in 

his own wagon, not weighing more than a ton, when such produce does not 



22 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

weigh more than 1000 lbs.: but shall pay, only, for carriages, as if empty. It also 
authorizes the company to construct branches to any landing, on or near the Pas- 
saic, not north of Belleville, and to any place in the township of Newark; and 
requires them to commence the road at Jersey City and New Brunswick, within 
one year, and to complete the whole route in five years, under penalty of forfeiture 
of their charter. The company are further empowered to purchase any turnpike 
road and bridges on the route; but the act reserves to the State and individual 
stockholders of the Newark Turnpike Company, the right, at any time, within two 
years from the opening of the books, to take stock of ihe company in exchange, or 
to sell to the company, at market value; but the Newark turnpike and the bridges 
over the Raritan, Passaic and Hackensack, are to be kept as public roads, without 
obstruction: to build or purchase carriages for the transportation of persons or pro- 
perty ; but not to charge more than six cents a mile for transporting passengers and 
each ton of goods, nor more than jjl.25 for carrying passengers from New York 
to New Brunswick : to hold real estate, at the commencement and termination of 
their roads, not exceeding three acres at each place ; and to build thereon, ware- 
houses, stables, machine shops, &c. and over the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers, 
such bridges, piers, &c. as may be necessary. Tlie State has reserved the right to 
purchase the road after the expiration of the charter, (30 years) and of subscribing 
one-fourth of the stock, and has imposed an annual tax of 1-4 per cent, upon the 
capital paid in ; and should the road be continued across the State, a transit duty of 
8 cents for each passenger and 12 cents for every ton of goods transported over the 
whole road. By a supplement to the act relative to the Delaware and Raritan Canal, 
and Amboy Rail-road, the companies are required to construct a lateral rail-road 
from the village of Spottswood to the city of New Brunswick, as soon as a rail-road 
shall be made from New Brunswick to the Hudson River; consequently, when the 
Camden and Amboy Rail-road and the New Jersey Rail-road shall be completed, 
there must be a rail-road through the state, from Jersey City to Philadelphia. 

The New Jersey Rail-road Company commenced operations in the summer of 
1832, and have confident expectations of completing the road from Hackensack 
River, through Newark to Elizabethtown, by the fall of 1833; and from the Hud- 
son to Elizabethtown in the summer of 1834; and the whole line, from the Hudson 
to New Brunswick, within two years. The estimated cost of the whole road for 
one track, with suitable passing places, including the purchase from the Bridge and 
Newark Turnpike Companies, the bridges over the Hackensack, Passaic and Rari- 
tan, and the moving power, cars, &c. as per report of N. Beach, the engineer, 
is - - - ' - - - - - $718,912 

Cost of superstructure for a second track on the whole line, 30 miles, 
at $4,710 SO per mile, ------ 141,324 



Total, - - - $860,236 

Upon this capital, the company, after paying for annual repairs, cost of moving 
power, cars, &c. the sum of $35,640 per annum, anticipate to receive a profit of 
$134,77.5, equal to 15-^ per cent. 

By an arrangement with the Patterson Rail-road Company, the road for both 
companies, from the west side of Bergen Ridge, through the Deep Cut, and across 
the heavy embankments, on the east of the Ridge, and to the Hudson River, is to 
be constructed under the charter of this company, as joint property of the two com- 
panies ; the Patterson company paying two-fifths, and this company three-fifths of V> 
the expense of construction, each company using the road without accounting to 
the other. This arrangement reduces the expense of the New Jersey Company 
$5.5,171. 

The company, in order to avoid litigation, has purchased of the United Passaic ■ 
and Hackensack Bridge Companies their stock, at $150,000, equal to $150 per . 
share, upon which amount it had, for some years, paid seven per cent, and created , 
a surplus fund of $30,000. With this stock, they obtained also all the right which- > 
the bridge company possessed, to pass the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, by bridges,. • 
for sixty years to come. A very large majority of the stockholders of the bridge'- ' 
companies used the right of election stipulated for, to take rail-road stock, and have 
thus become identified in interest with the company. 

The New Jersey, Hudson and Delaware Rail-road Company was incorporated by 
an act of 8th March, 1832, with a capital stock of $1,000,000, and authority to in- 
crease it to $2,000,000, to be employed in making a rail-road and public highway, 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 23 

commencing at any point on the Delaware River, between the New York state line 
and the mouth of Paulin's Kill, (and constructing a bridge over said river,) and to 
run thence to Snufftown, in the county of Sussex, and thence to the Hudson River, 
opposite the city of New York ; or to join any rail-road chartered or to be chartered, 
leading to or terminating at the Hudson River, opposite the city of New York : but 
if extended to the Hudson, not to cross the Passaic south of the village of Belle- 
ville, nor to approach any point within three miles of the present bridge over the 
Passaic, at Newark, nor to run south of the turnpike road, a causeway leading from 
Newark to Jersey City ; such road to be commenced within two and finished within 
twenty years ; and when the dividends upon its stock shall amount to seven per 
cent, to be subject to a tax of one-half of one per cent, per annum on the cost of 
the road and appendages, in lieu of all taxes ; reserving to the State the right, at 
any time within three years after the expiration of ninety-nine years, of taking the 
road and appendages at cost. 

The Delaware and Jobstown Rail or Macadamized Road Company, was incorpo- 
rated under the act of 11th February, 1833, with a capital of $60,000, and liberty 
to increase it to |!200,000, for the purpose of making a public road from the mouth of 
Craft's Creek, upon the Delaware River, by the villages of Columbus, Jobstown and 
Juliustown, to New Lisbon, a distance of 13 miles; the road to be commenced within 
three and completed within ten years from the passage of the act, on penalty of for- 
feiture of the charter: and when the annual net proceeds shall amount to more 
than seven per cent, to pay half per cent, tax annually to the State ; reserving the 
right to the State to purchase the road upon appraisement after the expiration of fifty 
years. The stock of this road, we are told, is subscribed. 

VIII. There are four canals in the State completed or about to be completed, viz. 
the Morris Canal, the Delaware and Raritan Canal, the Salem Creek Canal, and the 
Manasquan Canal. 

The Morris Canal is among the most original and boldest efforts of the spirit of 
internal improvement. Tlie idea of making it was first conceived by George P. 
M'Culloch, Esq. of Morristown, whilst on a fishing party at the Hopatcong Lake, 
near the summit of the Musconetcong Mountain, more than 900 feet above the level 
of the sea, and the enterprise was commenced through his zealous and active exer- 
tions. This lake, the source of the Musconetcong River, in its original state covered 
an area of about five square miles. To dam up its outlet, husband the spring fresh- 
ets, to double its capacity, and by leading its accumulated waters to the eastern de- 
clivity and valley of the Rockaway, to pursue the western descent until a practical 
route could be obtained across the country to Easton, v^ere the means he proposed to 
open the way to market for the rich mineral products and the iron manufactured at 
the many furnaces and forges of this mountainous district. At one period, 81 
forges and 12 furnaces flourished in the di.strict, but when the canal was proposed, 
30 of the former and 9 of the latter had fallen into ruins; whilst the remainder 
were greatly limited in their operations by the growing scarcity of fuel and increas- 
ing cost of transportation. A ton of iron might have been brought to New York 
from Archangel on the White Sea, at nearly the same price it could have been trans- 
ported from Berkshire valley ; and thus, this great branch of manufacture, alike inte- 
resting to the State and the Union, was in imminent danger of perishing. 

But how might a canal penetrate from the Delaware to the Hudson, 100 miles, 
through the mountainous chain repeatedly crossing its path.'' How might the eleva- 
tion, rapid and unavoidable, be surmounted, and how should the pecuniary sources be 
provided for an enterprise vast, novel, hazardous and expensive ^ The lake at the 
summit level would supply water to be sure ; but to raise boats 900 feet high, and 
again to lower them to their first level of lockage, would have required an amount 
of money for the construction, and of time in the passage, alike fatal to the enter- 
prise. Mr. M'Culloch, therefore, adopted the expedient of inclined planes for the 
greater lifts, and locks for the less. Such planes had never before been applied to 
boats of much magnitude, nor to an operation so extensive. 

Mr. M'Culloch endeavoured to induce the State to adopt the enterprise; and at 
the instance of liiin and others, the legislature, by act 15th November, 1S22, ap- 
pointed G. M'Culloch, Charles Kinsey, of Essex, and Thomas Capner, Esqrs. com- 
missioners, with authority to employ a scientific engineer and surveyor to explore, 
survey and level the most practicable route for this canal ; and to report an estimate 
of the expense thereof, with such information relative to the minerals along its 
,, lines as they could obtain, and to deposit specimens thereof in the state library. Th® 



24 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

commissioners reported, in 1823, and received the thanks of the legislatuife for the 
intelligence, industry and zeal displayed in the execution of their commission. But 
that cautious and prudential policy which has hitherto prevented the State from 
yielding her treasury and resources to the blandishment of projectors, charm they 
ever so wisely, deterred her from making the Morris Canal a state enterprise. A 
private company was therefore formed, and incorporated under the act of 31st De- 
cember, 1824, with a capital of .fl ,000,000, and the right to increase it to $1,500,000, 
for canal purposes; and, likewise, to employ in banking operations, additionally, the 
sum of .f 200,000, for every $200,000 actually expended on the canal, so that the • 
banking capital did not exceed a million of dollars. 

The route of the canal was selected, and the estimate of cost made, by Major 
Ephraim Beach, under whose direction the work was executed. This route, and 
the estimate of cost, were approved by General Bernard and Major Totten, of the 
engineer corps of the United States, and by Judge Wright; and the plan of inclined 
planes, suggested by professor James Renwick, of Columbia College, New York, 
also received the sanction of the like authority ; but much modification was after- 
wards found necessary in this particular. 

In 1825, the excavations were prosecuted with alacrity, while the planes were de- 
ferred; an arrangement which experience proves should have been reversed, since 
the latter could be perfected only by many and tedious experiments. The erection 
of the planes, too, was entrusted to ordinary mechanics, who, deficient in scientific 
knowledge and manual skill, caused much disappointment, which was aggravated by 
great and useless expenditure ; but, finally, proper engineers were employed, and 
the planes have become effectual to establish a regular intercourse along the line of 
the canal with the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers, and with the Hudson The ma- 
chinery of the inclined plane, so far as we have examined it, consists of a double rail- 
way connecting the upper and lower portions of the canal, up which a carriage sup- 
porting a boat is drav.-n by means of iron chains, wound round a cylinder, set in mo- 
tion by a water wheel turned by a stream from the upper level ; whilst another chain 
regulates the descent of another boat to the lower level, if there be one to pass, or if 
none, of the empty cradle. 

The cost of the canal, originally estimated at $817,000, has been about $2,000,000. 
The length completed is about 90 miles from the Passaic River, at Newark, to the 
Delaware, at Philipsburg, opposite to Easton; llf miles between Jersey City and 
Newark remain to be executed, and are estimated to cost $100,000; but the cost 
will, as usual, probably exceed the estimate. This excess of cost over the estimate 
is not peculiar to the Morris Canal, but is common, perhaps unavoidable, in all the 
public works of the country. The engineer can judge only from an imperfect know- . 
ledo-e of the surface of the ground through which he is to make his way: an unex- 
pected bed of stone, a limestone sink, a quicksand, a sudden freshet or frost, may 
mock his calculations. Adventurers, therefore, in canals and rail-roads, should be 
content when their agents display reasonable intelligence and full fidelity. The 
canal was completed to Newark in August, 1831. It is deeply in debt, and pays 
no dividend to the stockholders ; but its use has been most beneficial upon the busi- 
ness of the country through which it passes, and its portage will increase with popu- 
lation and business; and should the anthracite coal be successfully applied to the ex- -'i 
traction of iron from ore, the consumption of that article alone will add greatly to 
the tolls. The transportation of the Lehigh coal to the New York market, originally ; 
counted on by the projectors of this canal, will be effected by the Delaware and Ra- 
ritan Canal. The Morris Canal was adapted to boats of 25 tons only, which in many . 
cases have proved too heavy for the chains of the inclined planes. The passage from 
Easton to Newark has been performed in less than five days. 

The widtli of the canal is 32 feet at top, and 20 feet at bottom, four feet deep, ' 
The locks are 75 feet long between the mitre sills, and nine feet wide. The line is 
naturally divided into two divisions, the Eastern and Western. The first has 12 
planes, whose united elevations make 748 feet, and 18 locks rising, together, 166 
feet, making the whole rise, 914 feet. The highest lift by planes is 80 feet. There 
are two of that height, one at Boontoon Falls, and another at Drakeville ; and the 
highest lift of the locks is 10 feet. This division now ends at the Passaic River, 
near Newark — the section designed to connect it with the Hudson, 11| miles, has 
not yet been commenced. The length of the division is 51 miles 32-lOOths. The 
western division has 11 planes rising 691 feet, and 7 locks, whose aggregate lifts 
are 69 feet — total, 760 feet. Its length from the summit level to the Delaware, i» 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 



25 



38 miles, 91-lOOths, making the length of the whole line 90 miles 23-lOOths. The 
annexed table shows at one view the number of the planes and locks, their location, 
elevation, grade of the planes, and lift of the locks; and is, perhaps, the best expo- 
sition that can be given of the work short of an engraved profile. 



EASTERN DIVISION. 







No. of 




No. of 


Elevation 


Inclina- 


Lift of the 


Plane. 


Lock. 


the plane 


LOCATION. 


tile sec- 


of plane 


tion of the 


Lock in 






or lock. 




tion. 


in feet. 


plane. 


feet. 


1 




1 


Summit. 


2 


50 


1-12 




1 




2 


Drakeville. 


4 


80 


1-10 




1 




3 


Near do. 


5 


38 


1-12 






2 


1 and 2 


do. do. 


6 






20 


I 




4 


Baker's Mills. 


12 


52 


1-8 






1 


3 


Near do. 


13 






8 


1 




5 


Above Dover. 


15 


66 


1-9 






1 


4 


do. 


16 






9 




1 


5 


do. 


17 






9 




2 


6 and 7 


At do. 


19 






18 


1 




6 


Rockaway. 


25 


52 


1-12 






1 


8 


Near do. 


29 






7 




2 


9 and 10 


Powerville. 


34 






15 




1 


11 


Booneton. 


36 






10 






7 


Booneton Falls. 


37 


80 


1-10 






I 


12 


Near do. 


38 






12 


1 




8 


Montville. 


40 


76 


1-11 




1 




9 


do. 


41 


74 


1-11 




1 




10 


Near Pompton. 


48 


56 


1-12 






1 


13 


do. 


42 






8 






11 


Bloomfield. 


84 


54 


1-12 






1 


14 


Near do. 


86 






10 




1 


15 


Above Newark. 


95 






10 


1 




12 


Newark. 


96 


70 


1-12 






3 


16,17,18 


do. 


97 


748 
166 




30 


12 


17 










166 








Planes and Locks. 




914 







WESTERN DIVISION. 







No. of 




No. of 


Elevation 


Inclina- 


Lift of the 


Plane. 


Lock. 


the plane 


LOCATION. 


the sec- 


of plane 


tion of the 


Lock in 






or lock. 




tion. 


in feet. 


plane. 


feet. 


1 




1 


Great Meadow. 


3 


58 


1-10 




1 




2 


Stanhope. 


5 


70 


1-11 






1 


1 


Near Sayers. 


6 






12 






3 


do. do. 


6 


55 


1-12 




1 




4 


Old Andover. 


10 


80 


1-8 






1 


2 


Guinea Hollow. 


16 






10 


1 




5 


Near Anderson. 


38 


64 


1-12 




1 




6 


Monte Rose. 


41 


50 


110 






1 


3 


Near do. 


43 






10 



D 



26 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



Western Division, continued. 







No. of 




No. of 


Elevation 


Inclina- 


Lift of the 


Plane. 


Lock. 


the plane 


LOCATION. 


the sec- 


of plane 


tion of the 


Lock in 






or lock. 




tion. 


in feet. 


plane. 


feet. 


1 




7 


Pohalcong. 


47 


75 


1-10 






1 


4 


Near N. Village. 


61 






10 


1 




8 


Hulzesers. 


63 


62 


1-11 




1 




9 


Near Bridleman's 
















Brook. 


67 


100 


1-10 




1 




10 


Nr. Green's mills. 


70 


44 


1-12 






1 


5 


do. do. 


71 






9 




land 2 


6 and 7 


do. do. 


72 






18 


1 




11 


Delaware River. 


74 


33 


1-12 




11 






Planes and Locks. 




691 
69 

760 




69 



Planes. 



Locks. 



RECAPITULATION. 



Eastern Division, 
Western Division, 



Eastern Division, 
Western Division, 



12 748 




11 691 






1439 feet. 


17 166 




7 69 






235 


24 locks. 






1674 feet. 



Of the interesting works on the line of the canal, our limits permit us only to no- 
tice, the aqueduct of stone of a single arch, 80 feet span, 50 feet above the river, 
over the Passaic at the Little Falls, built of beautiful dressed freestone, in the most 
substantial and durable manner — and the wooden aqueduct 236 feet long, supported- 
by nine stone piers, over the Pompton River. 

The State is indebted, as we have already observed, for the inception of this great 
work, to the genius and zeal of George M'Culloch, Esq., and she is not less indebted 
to the skill and perseverance of Cadwallader D. Colden, Esq., the actual president 
of the company, for its completion. 

The Delaware and Raritan Canal, one of the great links of the chain of internal 
navigation, which is to give to the domestic trade of the country the greatest fa- 
cility and securit}'^, has for years been a subject of deep interest to all who have re- 
flected on the means of increasing our prosperity. The construction of this canal 
has been a favourite project, — with speculators desirous to deal in a marketable com- 
modity; with capitalists seeking for safe and profitable investments; and with many 
statesmen of New Jersey, who believed they saw, in it, the means of creating a per- 
manent and large revenue for the State, which would forever relieve her citizens' 
from taxation, for the ordinary support of government. 

So early as the year 1804, the project of a canal to connect the waters of the De- 
laware and Raritan Rivers, was earnestly considered. A route was then examined 
by a company of experienced and intelligent gentlemen, and a law passed autho- 
rizing its construction by a private company ; but the state of our trade, and 
our inexperience in works of this character, prevented its execution. In 1816 
and in 1823, commissioners, appointed by the legislature, explored the route, and 
by accurate examination demonstrated its practicability. At a subsequent pe- 
riod, a second joint-stock company was authorized to make this canal, and paid to 
the State treasury, for the privilege so to do, the sum of $100,000; but failing to 
obtain the sanction of the State of Pennsylvania to the use of the waters of the 
Delaware, they were compelled to abandon the enterprise, receiving back from New 
Jersey the premium they had paid. Many citizens of the State rejoiced in this 
failure, by which the power of making the canal reverted to her; anticipating that 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 27 

^e would immediately use it. To this end, many petitions were presented to the 
legislature, at their session of 1828-9; and a committee appointed thereon, made an 
able and elaborate report, accompanied by a bill, authorizing the canal to be con- 
structed by the State. But the settled policy of the State, safe at least, if not emi- 
nently prosperous or sagacious, which carefully eschews all prospective advantages to 
be purchased by loans, or by the taxation of her citizens, marred this measure. Fi- 
nally, by the act of 4th February, 1830, the enterprise was again committed to a 
joint-stock company, with certain beneficial reservations to the State. The act 
provides, that a capital stock be created of ^1,000,000. which may be enlarged to 
^1,500,000, divided into shares of i|;100 each, and that the company have all the 
powers necessary to perfect an expeditious and complete line of communication from 
Philadelphia to New York : That, if the capital were not subscribed within one 
year, or the canal and feeder not commenced within two, and completed within eight, 
years, tlie charter should become void : That, the company might make the canal 
between, and improve the rivers below, where the canal shall empty into them; the 
canal to be at least 50 feet wide at the water line, and at least five feet deep, and 
the feeder not less than 30 feet wide and four feet deep : That they may charge 
tolls for the transport of persons and merchandise, not exceeding five cents per 
mile for the first, nor four cents per ton per mile for the second, nor more than 
half those rates respectively on the feeder : That, they may alter the route of the 
canal; that it shall be a public highway; and that, no other canal shall be con- 
structed within five miles of any point of the canal or feeder, without the assent of 
the company : That at the expiration of thirty years from the completion of the 
canal and feeder, a valuation of them shall be made by six appraisers, appointed by 
the company and State ; who. in case of difference, may choose an umpire ; that 
such appraisement shall not exceed the first cost, with the lands and appendages, 
and that the State shall have the privilege for ten years of taking tlie canal and 
feeder at the appraisement, upon payment of the amount thereof : That the trea- 
surer of the company shall, on oath, make quarterly returns of the number of pas- 
sengers and tons of merchandise transported on the canal across the State, and pay 
to the treasurer of the State, eight cents for each passenger, and eight cents for each 
ton of merchandise so transported thereon, except for coal, lumber, lirne, wood, ashes, 
and similar low priced articles, for which two cents only per ton shall be paid; and 
that no other impost shall be levied upon the company. 

By the act of 3d February, 1831, in consideration, that the company would make 
the canal 75 feet wide on the water line, seven feet deep throughout, and the locks 
at least 100 feet in length, by 24 feet in width in the clear, the State extended the 
time after which the appraisement should be made, to 50 instead of 30 years, and 
engaged tliat neither the company, nor any other person, should construct an}' rail- 
road across the State, between the Delaware and Raritan Rivers, within five miles 
of any point of the canal, until after the expiration of the period allov^'ed for the con- 
struction of the canal, reserving existing riglils. 

As we have already mentioned, when speaking of the Camden and Amboy Rail- 
road, the Canal and Rail-road Company were consolidated pursuant to the act of 
IStli February, 1831. By act 2d IMarch, 1832, the united company, in considera- 
tion, that no other rail-road should be constructed which might compete with that 
road, covenanted to convey to the State one thousand shares of the joint stock, and 
guaranteed to the State an annual income of ^30,000 at least, should not the divi- 
dends on stock and the transit duties amount to that sum; and engaged that they 
would annually divide the whole of the net profits, except such surplus fund as 
might be necessary', not exceeding §^100, 000. 

Under these provisions the canal was commenced, and has progressed nearly to 
its completion. (Oct. 1833.) It begins at the confluence of the Crosswicks Creek 
and the Delaware, at Bordentown, and runs thence, through the city of Trenton and 
the valley of the Assunpink, crossing the creek by a noble stone culvert, to Law- 
rence's Meadows, whence it passes into the valley of Stony Brook; thence down 
the right side thereof, one mile S. of Princeton, to the junction of Stony Brook with 
I the Millstone River; thence across the river by an aqueduct of eight arches, and by 
the riglit bank of the river to the Raritan River; thence along the right bank of the 
Raritan to New Brunswick, where it unites with the tide. It passes through or 
near Bordentown, Lamberton, Trenton, Princeton, Kingston, Griggstown, Millstone, 
Somerville, and Boundbrook. Its whole length is 42 miles, within which there are 
116 feet lockage, viz: 58 between Trenton and the Delaware River, overcome by 



28 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

seven locks ; one at Trenton of seven feet ; one at the State Penitentiary of seven 
feet; three at Lamberton of nine feet each; one below Lamberton of seven feet, and 
one at Bordentovtm of 10 feet, lift. The last, by reason of the badness of the foun- 
dation, has cost an extraordinary portion of time, labour and money, in its construc- 
tion. The lockage betwreen Trenton and New Brunswick is also 58 feet, and is over- 
come by seven locks ; one at Kingston, one at Griggstown, and one at the mouth of 
the Millstone, each of eight feet; two opposite to Boundbrook, seven feet each ; one 
two miles below Boundbrook, of eight feet, where a dain has been constructed across 
the river to use it as a feeder, and one at New Brunswick, of twelve feet, lift. Ajt, 
this city, there is also a tide lock sufficiently capacious to admit a steamboat, and a 
basin extending the whole front of the town, formed by an embankment in the river; 
By turning the river into the canal, a water power will have been gained at Bruns-. 
wick, equal, it is supposed, to 400 horse power. Upon the line of the main canal, 
there are 17 culverts, some of them very large; one aqueduct, and 29 pivot bridges. 
The canal is 75 feet wide on the water line, and seven feet deep, and the depth may 
be increased to eight feet should it be found necessary. To avoid bridging, the 
company have purchased a large quantity of land, in many cases whole farms, at 
great expense. 

The feeder commences at Bull's Island, in the Delaware River, and runs thence 
along the left bank of the river to Trenton, where it intersects the canal, a distance 
of 23 miles, witli an inclination of two inches in the mile. The works, beside the 
excavation, consist of a lift lock of 10 feet at Lambertsville ; two guard locks, one. 
at Bull's Island, and the other at Prallsville ; 15 culverts, and 37 pivot bridges. The" 
width of the excavation is throughout 50 feet; at the water line, its depth six feet;^ 
but, where it could be effected without great expenditure, the width has been in- ' 
creased to 60 feet, and thus three-fourths of the distance will afford good sloop navi- 
gation. A large basin has been constructed by the company, upon the feeder near 'f 
the centre of Trenton, for the accommodation of the city. 

The canal is adapted to vessels exceeding 150 tons burden, and has been exe-, - 
cuted in the most substantial manner. Its cost is now estimated at two millions of ,'(1 
dollars. The estimate, when the proposition was made to the State to undertake the 
enterprise, was stated at $1,142,741; but the present canal is every way larger than 
that originally proposed. 

The Manasquan River and Barnegat Bay Canal Company, was authorized under r 
the act of 21st February, 1833, with a capital of $5,000, to make a canal 40 feet tj 
wide and five feet deep, from the mouth of the Manasquan River to the head waters i 
of Barnegat Bay, at Layton's pond or ditch, in tlie county of Monmouth; to erect I 
tide gates, and to take toll for passing through the canal for every scow, eight cents 
per ton; sail boat or small craft 10 cents per ton; and for every fish boat or skiff,- 
25 cents per ton; provided that the canal be commenced within two, and finished t 
within five years. 

A short canal of about four miles in length, in Upper and Lower Penn's Neck, t) 
Township, Salem County, connects the Salem Creek with the Delaware River, \ 
about four miles above Kinseyville, and saves to sloops that ply in the creek, from 
15 to 20 miles of the distance to Philadelphia. 

IX. The population of New Jersey, derived from European ancestry, is composed t 
chiefly of the descendants of the Dutch, Swede, English, and New England settlers. 
For nearly half a century, the country was in the undisturbed possession of the i^ 
Dutch, who, in that period, spread themselves extensively over East Jersey; not, 
however, without an intermixture of their New England neighbours, who very early i 
displayed a disposition to abandon their sterile soil for more fertile lands and milder ( 
skies; and who had also found their way to the shores of the Delaware, and made 
one attempt, at least, to colonize them. After the year 1664, the English authority ^i 
was established over the province, and the settlement of West Jersey was then zea- 
lously commenced by English emigrants, chiefly of the sect called Quakers. The 
liberality of the provincial government must necessarily have drawn population 
from other European sources ; but such acquisitions were not great, inasmuch as her 
aspiring and successful neighbours. New York and Pennsylvania, possessed greater 
attractions. 

These attractions, too, have operated to prevent that increase of population in the 
State, which must otherwise have taken place from natural causes. Abounding in 
all that is necessary to the comfortable enjoyment of life, and stimulated to industry 
by the growth of the neighbouring cities, whose wants she in no inconsiderable de- 



I 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 



29 



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c^--iCj'^Trco-^oooJ>Cii-(T3. 
oq_o OJ o X uo lO lO LO o^co_Ci (?< 

r-T of of (N r-T — "^ r-T rH r-T T-T ,4" 

OOCOOJCOlOlftCiOlftOOTfrf 

C30jTrOJi>.0'Hcoot^iO'<9<co 

'lD^C:;_l>._^Gi^CC_^-^^-^^OJ_CO CO CO CD CO 

cor-<t^cococot-o(ocicoeooi 

iraXCOtOlO'-HOCOOfrHTtCD-* 

icooococococooajcr3i>.oj 



■jaquin^ {■g^ox 



O^OClCO-^XOJ-Hi^XC-.OJt^ 
^X^-^M<C2rHCOC0C;iOl^CD 
CO^ O 10^ CO_^ i-4_ G1_C0„ X„ 00^ l>-^ i>^ 1^ Tf 

CO T)<" co" co" co" oTof oT oT T-T i-h" r-T 



cooi-0>-Oco<ioocoi-ioi^oo-H 

lOOClOOi— li-<VOOOC;CO'^l> 

i-;_»o^G3^r>._^o__0{^Cj^co__o_o{^-<3<_^OJ lo^ 
o"crQo'~j>-'~o'~o"L'f co"ofofo~ao"or 



•saA-Big 



•SU0SI9J aaa j^ jarj^o jiy 



•saiimiBjj 
JO sp^afx SuTpnpui 



■sxva/i 9X 
japun sapj\[ a^iiJAi ^^^d 



•SpJBAV 

-dn put3 sji3ai 9x 
JO sapxvi 91IMM '^^^d 



T-IC2^^rt«tOOOT-,^-IOO}Or-l 
OOOOll^OCOr-HOO — t-OjTf 
CO_Tf OJ 1—^in^CO CO^i-l CO^CO^rt 1-1 r4 
I— I I— I I— 1 r-( 01 i-H 



— iraQOOCOCOOOJO!I>."*ODTl< 
1—1 lOi— ICO 1— lOO^H— iCOi— ( 



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<-HCJ00'^-q'C;ojcOTj.co-^i>.t- 

CO^ 0_ T);^ r-__ ■^__ 10_ r-<_ OJ_ C3^ fH^ Cq_ 00^ rH^ 

crcrcD'ao'~i>.'~i>ri>'"cirT)rio'~Tjrco"rH" 



CO^ C-^ rH_ c^ ia_^ O CO^ C0_ OJ^ CO^ C0__ C5 _ o 
Tf~Tli~T)<'~CO"co"cO~CO"c»0~orofori-i" 



cocoiocicoo(ioi^icooj>^ 

tOOOJCO-*OC-. XCC--l>.TJ<CO 

c^C5_o_co_oq_p^(rj_OJ_oo^QO^:o 1-1^0 
Tr~-*~Tf'*"co'"Tiroo~co'~ororoi"or 



£S ? br; 






5 "c 0^ 






NORTHERN DIVISION. 



31 





■jgquinu ^is^ox 


>o_ io_ s>_ C5_ — __ oq_ «_ r^_^ »^ i>_ t^ co_ co 
T)<" lo" •*" in~ cq" 1-^ ©" cT co~ ri>" sg" in" "^ 




■saA'Big 


05000505-fCaoO-tOQOOllNi-i 
'-iJ>C5(NOlO«>l>COtO<M-*00 

PH r-l r-H r-( N rt 




•pax^; ')ou su-Bipuj idao 
-X9 suosaad aajj jaq|o \\y 




on 


S 
K 

H 
H 

X 

is 


•spjBAvdn puB 9f JO 


CO'*m»-*(N-f'-HOOD5*COp1 


o 


•cf- aapun puB ggjQ 


00(Mi7qMlOCJ0l>I0i^(Ni-<Or-l 
rHr-(-t<CO00CIOJ>l~<N(N.-l.-lfO 
IMINlN(Nr-ir-.-ii-ir-lrtr-(r^ 


in 


•92 japun pun gijo 


0010aOCOOCO(M(MOClO-*«g 




•91 aapun puT3 oi JO 


«ooao«>-*i>®-t<oow— <<N 


03 
.—1 


•s«9if 01 -lapKfi 


incoooira(No:)OOr-.i-ii>coao>fl 

CO-rrOCOOltOWeClCqrIr-ir-l 


to 


i 

1 

<t 

S 

H 

5 
m 


■spjT!A\dn puis Qf JO 




■<1" 
O 


■cjy J9pun puB 92 JO 


Cg(M<N(Mrtr-lrtF-.r-lr-lf-li-( 




•og J9pun pun 91 JO 


-*OO>-0l«I0l0rtOC0^C0Xl 
FHrHtOCOlO-Ht>.(NX>(N-fCOi-l 

r-ioo«5coaococoi-i(MrHrtro 

(M(M(M(Ni-li-Ht-iFHrtr-(rti-i 


CO 


91 lapun puTj oi JO 


QOCit-OO^OOlCOlOOOO — l?? 


oo" 


•s-inajf 01 •lapuQ 




0D_ 

eo 




02 

s 

o 
o 


Hunterdon, . . - 
Sussex, - . - - - 
Burlington, . . - . 
Essex, - . . - - 
Monmouth, . . - - 
Morris, - . . . . 
Middlesex, .... 
Gloucester, .... 
Bergen, ..... 
Somerset, .... 

Salem, 

Cumberland, .... 
Cape May, .... 





32 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 





•joqainu ibiojl 


rt- 0» 0» CO (» 00 O Ci .X> O (M 00 V.1 

O 1-0 CO Gi CO O l^ 00 !>. O (M O -O 
O t>. 00 t- O CO -^ O r-l 10 O O OJ 
OOCNQOOI-O^— iCOaOCOT)>(NT3< 

o^co(^Jcoc^(^JOl(^JrHrtr-l« 




jrfsDXS suosjnd ami isipo |[V 


tH OOO 
05 T— ■<* 




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w w 2 
tf b S 


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CO 


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1 coco(?Jcoi-»coaDT-Hooi---^(M 


GO 


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liO Gi 0-. LO CO O -jO C: JO Cj C-. O lO 

^ococor-^Qo■q'0(^Ji>Ci(^JQOI--( 


00 


•sjB3/f ^7]; jepaji 


«3C5CQi-co(Jocor^co(Noic-^ 

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ci o o * crj cj lo -^ CO j> — cc -^ 
ocoocoj>coaooioioc5>Tj>(>j 


CO 


•qp lapun puoggjo 


t^lftCOCOC^t-l^QOTfOil^iOlO 
r-iCOTf<i-lGOCOt-CO-<JiOOCOOl 


o 

o 


■9S"P"n,P"Bf'IJ0 


•^LOCOSCOQOCOt^OOTCOrCt^ 
C0l0t-C5OC000Ol0C^C0C0i-l 


CO 

1—1 


•SJB9/( {-]; J3pU|J 


'-^Cj.-4r-<lOCll^C0Ci^O>C0OJ 
lO 00 -* Ci C^ CO l-O O 00 « W CO o 
COr-nC^JCOOJ— .C^OiCOLOG'^.- 


CO 

o> 

CO 
CO 


-J! 
W 


•spjBMdn puB 9^ JO 


o c^ i>. i>. -^ o >o o 


CO 


Sj, japun puBggjo 


0}0(?Ji>-^LOOCOl->.0 i-lOl 

OJCO rtCOQOCO —103 
1-1 r-( rH (>} r^ 


CO 
CO 

o 


■ggjapun puB^JO 


QOl^TfCOGlCOQOCC-^lKJUO^in 


lO 

25 


•sjB8/f f7X -lapnfi 


-<CQO C3 — 1 ^ CO J> i^ CO oj CO 
crjTrri (MOO— ■ looj 






•spjBMdn puB g^jo 


loo^'s-iooocot^c^oji-io 

UO(M COCOlOCO Ort 


CO 


I^OOOJCjCOi— QOO CO It- 
•g]f,43pUnpUB95JO 1 CO^^OOTT-I -o 1 -, 


•gg jgpun puB j^ijo 


ioipoj'-;coo}QOrt<cocicor-i-<j. 

CO t- rl 00 CO (M CO i>. CO 

1-1 i-( (M 1-1 i-H CO a 


CO 
XI 


S 


. -^ r>. Tt CO cc -^ 1— 1 oj CO c>{ lit! ■^ 
•SJB3A J.X •'^PUfl Oin,-* CJ(^JoorHl^!(^J 


o 

CO 

on 


S 

w 

H 

a 

(4 


•spjBMdn puB 9f?jo 


■^QOOr-iCOTfG2COi>.COTj'OCO 
OJCOlOKOCOQOlOuOTfOOlOGO — 

C^MC^JOJr-^l-ll-II-ll-irH 


CO 

o 

00 


■g]^ japunpuBggjo 


COCOCiTjtcOt-'— ICIICICCJCOO 
•^t>-lOCOt-.>— i-^t-COCJlQOlOCO 

(N<MO{C<»(M-^i-(p-i-li-ll-lr-l 


CO 


•gg jopun puB 91 jo 


1>.tJ<'^OOCOCQt)<COCOQO-hC^ 
•^1>.UOCOIOOOOOOOCOCOO 
lO-^OOOi— lOOO-^-^'q^COOIr? 
OJC0C^C«0}<?}rH(Mr-lrHr-l,-l 


t^ 

CO 
LO 


•gi japun puEQIJO 


l^-H — -^J^CO-^TfiOOlOCOOQO 
OJ^O-^'*lOOOrj<QOCOQOO 
Cr. CO C>J CN £>. lO ■«3< 1-- -M c;i C3 00 CO 
^<MOJC*i-Hi-(i-irti-i 


o 

CI 


•sjBazf 01 Japufl 


lOooo^tMicot^-rfco-^i-ociTr 

*> »0 (X> CO rr M t^ GO O ^ CVJ C3 LO 
»-^r3<o— 'CO-^COCOCOOOGiCO 

Tfica-TfcococQcoojojcMi-i 




s 


•spjBMdn puB gi7jo 


i^— OJCiOOJi^ — iOCOQ0t>.C>< 
OCOOJCll^OJ— ICOCOOiCOrt-CO 
C300G3t>-iOlO>OTt<Ot-l>.0{ 


Jo 

in 

00 


•Q^ aapun puBggjo 


lO-^G; 0!0t>.00 — C30Ci.rtTti 
rtCOlOOCOlOCOlOOO-iOOOCO 
lOO'^iXlOQOCiO-^COC^O}-^ 
C^COCNCQOI^rHCvJrHi-HrH^ 


00 

51 


•gg japunpuBgijo 


ClCONOCiliO'-.i-HOO^OCOr^ 
COLOTfOCOlOOCOCO'S'TJ'OJt- 
lOOlO — "-"OOlN^COCOCOOCO 
(>JCOC>JCO<NT-lrHO}rt,-rti-( 


Si 

CO 


•81 P«^ 91 HsaM^aa 


COCO^OCOCO-<-HOJaOOCOC3i 
CO(>»COOJ-^COCOIOOOIOCOJ> 

ini-»;ot>.ioin-^-^cococo(N 


CO 


•gX japun puB qi JO 


OlOOlC. QOCJiOO-^"J^OCO 

Trcoi^coiococo(>)>oo"*cooi 

C5-5i^^t>.COTt<OOrtOOGiCO 
— (^JO}(^^-H^-l-ll-ll-lr-l^-( 


o 
t- 


•sjea^f 01 -lapuil 


TJ'rt'^t-.t-.QOClffilCOOCOIOOJ 

ciococot-— ia3t>."-^c:3coo 

— CiCOCOt-OJCSt--^ — r-HOI> 
■^iO-^-^COCOO}CO(M(?JOJW 


i 


02 
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33 



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CD 






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n, 

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•QOI japunpgjo 
•06-i3puno8JO 



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•(U JtapunogjO 



•OgjepunosJO 



•09 Japuno^JO 



rHiOlOr(<0}(N»o— (Q0aO(M 



O Cj O Ci O Tf O • 
Tf 00 t- l- O O ^Xi i 
1— (M 1— I rt >-l i-H ( 



o o t^ 
•^ o M 



OJ to C5 i-H 
CO Tf< ^H o 

oj <^i CO Ti> 



M O l^ 1.0 CO 'O lO 



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lO O (>J 
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to CO C3 C! 

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o »o to oo 



to lO T-H r-H lO 00 00 

^ O lO J> J> CJ GO 

trj T-H oi CO ?-i Tf -^ 



O^iapunocjo 



•08-iapuno5JO 



•OS Japungxjo 



•gi japunoijo 



C>> ^ -* t^ Cl t^ CO (^J CO TT ^ O IC (7! 

ocoo^;lnaoOl-loOLOi>to■tOr^ 



tOlOtOr)"J>Ci— iC35OC*-^C0Oi— I 
10COuOO!tOlOCOOOO'^(7}f^OC5 

toj>coto-*c>jcoirat^c>!cocOi-io 

r^ CO 1— I 1-1 -H 1-H 1— I (M (?} C<( (7J T-l 1-1 



coi>.is.to(^!'!9<otoiocorO'^i>ao 

QOtCXJ-^TtiiOCOCOtDtOrttOOi— I 
OCO«rtOQOClt^tOCOlOOll>.l> 
OJr- 4r— ii-H i— ti— li— Hi— li— 4 



■•*tO(>}Q00000i(0J>00COXii-^'-OC0 
lOT-ICOi-IC<(COOOCTli*Oi-lO!COt^ 
i-ICOCO^!^ai(>Jl>Q0tOtOCOQ0Q0 
r^tTJi— i-Hi— 1— IT-Ii— li— Ir- 



TtitOlOCQ00C5Q0i-ii>.'^M"CO(>}tO 

■fiT jannn r> t/-v l^otNotot^jococoo-^ioc^co 
(JL aopuii t, JQ comiCiO(>?OCOC:OOOOOOQOO 



s 



•SJTJ9if g J9pU£^ 



CJl^t^Ot>.(7}J^-HCOCOrHlOlOt^ 

rHtoco-^toiiOOO^iaoc^icootoco 

L.OGOGOCDlOi-llO'-iCTC^COTfOi-l 
1-1 G^ -H 1-1 i-l i-( !-!(?} (M d (>J i-( r-l 



spjTiMdn puT3 OPT JO I ^ I 

•QOX japun 06 JO I ^ ^ ^ '^ '^ g^ '•^ «^ ^ '^ =^ rHCTJ 



•06.iapuno8JO 



1— IOOCOOO'^tOlOOOOTt<tO'*i— ItO 
to •>* lO OJ 1-1 -^ CO t^ LO to (N i-i 1-1 



•08 Japan oi JO 



COi— IOCOlOCiCOC^tOi-li-l(Mt005 
l>-'-<J>OOC^QOCOOC>}LO(?<tOtO 

T-< (M 1-1 1-( 1-1 1-1 c\( 1-1 (^{ 1-1 



•O^iapun 09 JO 



lO i> i^ 'TO -^ Cj -H O -1 lO I* CO CO iH 
1— 't^'^C^C0t0l>.O'^C0l0t0-^C0 

•^■^coojOJ(McoiO'<a<-5ticoi-(r-( 



09 japunogjO 



CiOOuOlOi— ITj<l>.lOCOrHdCOCOO 



•Ogjapuno^JO 



OCitOl-OOLOCOi— li— lOl^OOOOi 

i^2;otoi^QOr-i(?}Tt<ioob.oh. 

t^^OitOtOlOOOr-<OClC5r-lio^ 



•Of-JsputioSJO 



•08-i9punogJO 



•05 aapun gx aAoqy 



P^fc^'^'^''^<=='='aDC^rf<i-ii-i 

J;3=25S2!;SS°^'»«^'^J'^Sto^ 

'^^COOOQOrtlOtOlO'*CQt^i> 



S?5Ji5'^J^'-^'^^oDotoaoooj 
^2S*^*^<^'^3cotoo^)lraT^.Ol-l 



^ 



qoi^ottcjcvjctc;. ooi-iioojooco 



CO CT C5 (Tim o XI o to to to iM (^^ r-( 

r-iC^T-li— li-^r-li-4r^l— Ir-li-l 



rHCTOOOCO'llrtClCO^^'Xia-^^ 

1 Japuii g aAoqy ^k lo to lO co o ^ o o go Oi co oo o 

i-l(?Jr-li-lrtrHr-lC^(Mrti-l ^H 



•sjBaA' g japufx 



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GO'S<c:'X'*Oi-Hi.oc;rtCO--ii>.o" 
ioc\(OOrtrri;o-^X)C"jf-i-(toS 
in o c: 00 to i-H m CO CO Tt lo Tf o rH 

i-iCOi-ii-i— I — T-iC^(7JC^c>}„S 






34 



m 

O 
m 

<A 
H 

Q 

t3 
o 

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o 
o 


s 


O 

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•^^ 0_ CO^ « O^ '^^ —__ 0_ ^^ (N^ Tl-^O^ r-<_ O^ 

CQ~ ^"^ co" o" co~ i^" co~ ^"^ rn" cT oo" TiT TaT .^"^ 
(N ■* oj c^ ^ r-( (?} eo CO CQ c^ T-( i-H 


1 


•spjTJMdn puB 001 JO 


■-H rH Oi l-H -H 


CO 


001 -tapun 5CJ0 




i 


•oQ japun 9g jq 


OOOTtOCOOCOCOCOOOOCiCOt^ 
L0lC'^0<0H>.rHr-lOC0r-li-lCX)lC 
1—1 ^^ T-H rH 1-H 1— 1 


CO 
1—1 


•OCiapunj-sjo 


i^-*co«5ooLOcoicio)r^r-ii^oo 

1— 1 I— Ir-li-Mi— (1— ll— 1 1—1 


•<1< 

r-l 


n, Japun 01 JO 


OC0C0C0t^C0C031OOt>.00>0C0 
COCO.-H CO CO (7J ,-1 CO ,-H .-1 


O 


•sj'Baif 01 -lopufi 


rMOJt-OSOOlOQOClOlCOCOfOCiW 

Tjit^,-Hcoioo{ioi>C!icooojooi 

COOlr-( CO C^ (M T-l CO (M (^J T-* 


1-1 




•spjTJMdn pu^ 001 JO 


r-((M OJ ,_, r-< 


~co 


•QOI-iapun 9SJO 


cocorH Tj< in ^ lo t^ 00 .-1 CO oi 


•gg japun gg jq 


Tt<-*OCJT»tcOC<(-^GDC5C100-^i-< 

ocoiOr-(c\ji^T-^ooojr^i-ioco 

i-H I— 1 r-( 1-1 T-( 1— 1 >— 1 


CO 
1—1 


■gCiapun^SjO 


COCOlOC}COOrtCOCOT-U>C^-<S<00 
^Hl— ! T-Mi-HrtT-tt-ll— 1 I— 1 


in 

1-1 


■fZ -laP"" 01 JO 


cjf^ojcococoos-^coojc^iocoi-i 
ooaoQDcooi-Hi— ionoi>.corrc* 

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CO 
CO 

s 

CO 


•SIT!3if 01 J^pUfl 


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i-HCicocoooT-iaicoajQOCNco— KTi 

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02 

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pi. 


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CO r-l 


1^ 


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QOCOtH in COr^ CJ 


00 


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Ort co^-^X) i>coin loco oj 

.-l-^C^r-l OltOCO ■* 

1—1 


lO 
■«1< 


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'SiCOTfOOQOOOi^CO 

i^ CO -^ i> r- CO lo 




■^Z -lapun OT JO 


(?J TJH r-mC rH -H CO (>! 1-1 


S 


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CO CO rt r-l 


oo 


(4 

IS 


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1—1 1— i T-l 


CO 


OOiaapunggjo 


CT202ioin<rjoc^coi-io 

i>OJ iH OCOi-l (M 


1—1 

CM 


•gg japunggjo 


l^g^^'-'^oS^^'^g? 


CO 
00 

CO 


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O CO CO rH t^ IC CO -^ 

1—1 


lO 


•^S-iapunoiJO 


COtMOJ COl-l rH 


25 


•sjiia^ OT -isptrfi 


" ^ 


lO 


Names of 
Counties. 


Bergen 

Essex 

Morris 

Sussex 

Warren 

Somerset 

Middlesex 

Hunterdon 

Burlington 

Monmouth 

Gloucester 

Cape May 

Salem 

Cumberland 



35 



CENSUS, 1830 (continued). 



WHITE PERSONS 

INCLUDED IN THE FOREGOING. 


SLAVES &COLOURED 
Included in the foregoing. 


Names of Counties. 


t4 

T3 

e 

s 

S 

3 
Q m 

Is 

Q 


Deaf and Dumb above 
14 and under 25 
years. 


> 
o 

Xi 
as 
ja 

s 

3 

Q 2 

C OJ 

(B >> 

Q 


-6 
a 


c 

< 


<u 

C 
3 

£ 

3 

Q JO 

C (U 

Q 


Deaf and Dumb above 
14 and under 25 
years. 


0) 

> 
a 

s 

3 

Q 


.s 

S 


Bergen 

Essex 

Morris 

Sussex 

Warren 

Somerset 

Middlesex 

Hunterdon 

Burlington 

Monmouth 

Gloucester 

Cape May 

Salem 

Cumberland 


6 
7 
2 
1 
2 
4 
5 

11 
5 
8 

11 

2 


2 
11 

6 
2 

2 

4 

4 

11 

7 
5 
13 
1 
2 
1 


2 
9 

12 
3 
1 
6 
3 

12 
8 
6 
5 

2 
3 


12 

22 
11 
14 
12 

17 
7 
19 
41 
14 
22 

7 
7 


213 
1176 

497 
89 
286 
118 
174 
210 
129 
81 
357 

8 
27 


3 
2 


1 
1 


1 

5 

1 
1 


5 
1 
1 

2 
3 
3 
2 
2 
1 
2 


64 


71 


72 


205 


3365 


5 


2 


8 


22 



3« GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

The vice of slavery was early introduced into the State, and took deep root, par- 
ticularly, in the eastern portion. In the county of Bergen, in 1790, the slaves 
amounted to near one-fifth of the population; and in Essex, Middlesex, and Mon- 
mouth, they were very numerous, the counties having most Dutch population being 
most infected. In the counties settled by " Friends," Burlington, Gloucester, Sa- 
lem, Cumberland, and Cape May, there were, comparatively, few slaves : the first, at 
that period, had only 227: the second, 191 : the third, 120 ; and the last, 141. The 
whole number in tlie State was then, 11,423. At the subsequent census, the num- 
ber had increased to 12,422. The small increase of 999, in ten years, proves that 
the inhabitants, generally, had discovered the moral and physical evils of slavery, 
and had applied themselves to diminish them. This became more apparent by the 
act of 15 Feb. 1804, entitled " An Act for the gradual Abolition of Slavery," under 
which the number of slaves was reduced, in 1810, to 10,851; and in 1820, to 
7,557. This act is supplied by the act of 24th February, 1820, which embraces 
and extends its principles, and provides, that every child, born of a slave, within 
the State, since the 4th of July, 1804, or which shall be thereafter born, shall be 
free ; but shall remain the servant of the owner of the mother, as if it had been 
bound to service by the overseers of the poor; if a male, until the age of 25 ; if a 
female, to the age of 21 years: that the owner shall, within 9 months after the birth 
of such child, deliver to the clerk of the county, a certificate, subscribed by him, 
containing the name and addition of the owner; the name, age and sex of the child, 
and the name of the mother ; which certificate, whether delivered before or after 
the nine months, must be recorded by the clerk. The owner neglecting to file such 
certificate, within the nine months, is liable to a fine of five dollars, and the sum 
of one dollar per month afterward ; but not exceeding in the whole $100, to any 
one suing therefor, one half to the prosecutor, and the other half to the poor of the 
township; and for delivering a certificate containing a false relation of the time of 
the birth of such child, $100, recoverable in the same manner: one-half in favour 
of the child, and the other, of the township. The time of birth may be inquired 
into, notwithstanding the certificate. 

The traffic in slaves, between this and other states, was prohibited by the act of 
14th March, 1798, and by act of 1820, last recited, under the forfeiture of ves- 
sels, and severe penalties on persons concerned therein. But slaves may still be 
brought into the State, by persons removing thereto, with a view to settled, or 
temporary residence ; during the stay of the master only, in the latter case. By 
these acts, also, the manumission of slaves was permitted under certain formalities 
therein preseribed. And such has been the beneficial operation of these provisions, 
that in 1830, the State contained 2,254 slaves only; the counties of Gloucester 
and Cumberland, none; the county of Cape May, 2; and Salem, 1. So that it 
is probable, that in another 20 years, this pest will be entirely eradicated from the 
State. 

We may remark, as a curious fact, and one that may prove most encouraging to 
the southern states, in an attempt at the abolition of slavery, that the coloured po- 
pulation, under the system of manumission adopted by this State, has increased in ' 
40 years only, about 44 per cent, including the free and the slaves; whilst the whites 
have increased in the ratio of nearly 75 per. cent. In considering this subject, it- 
must be observed, on one hand, that the coloured population has uniformly been, 
treated with humanity and indulgence; and upon the other, that the great cities 
have absorbed a portion of their increase. But yet, the white population of the 
State has been kept down in a much greater degree by emigration. Indeed, New " 
Jersey has received a large and unwelcome increase of coloured population from thd . 
fugitive slaves of Delaware, Maryland, and the southern states. 

To complete our view of the physical condition of the State, we annex a table, 
framed from abstracts returned by the assessors of the several counties, showing the 
species and the amount of taxable property, and the amount of tax raised for state, 
county and township purposes. The returns from several counties have not been 
as full as they should have been, for our purpose; particularly, in respect to town- . 
ship charges; and we have been compelled, in some cases, to estimate the amount 
of road and poor tax, in some townships, by the ratio of population compared with 
that of others. 



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37 



38 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

XI. It will be seen by reference to the preceding table, that the State is, in the 
aggregate, agricultural ; and such is the character of all the counties, except Es- 
sex, part of Bergen, and part of Morris. The glass and iron manufactures of the 
counties of Burlington, Gloucester, and Cumberland, are not sufficient to exempt 
tliem from this classification. Of the agricultural products of the several por- 
tions, we have already spoken, and will observe, only, generally, here, that the 
valleys of the two northern sections are well adapted to wheat, and that under the 
improved mode of culture they may become equally productive with any lands east 
of the mountains. The southern district, composed of the alluvial country, is pro- 
ductive, chiefly of corn, rye, fruits, grass, and vegetables; and sends to market 
large quantities of pork, cured in a manner that can scarcely be surpassed. New 
Jersey hams, bacon, and barrelled pork, hear the highest prices in all markets. Nor 
is the reputation of the farmers of this district, much less for their beef, and espe- 
cially for their veal. Its gardens and orchards supply the Philadelphia markets with 
the best fruits. Indeed the whole state is remarkable for the abundance and quality 
of its peaches and apples, and the quantity of cider, and brandy made from the lat- 
ter. Notwithstanding the influence of Temperance Societies upon distilling, 
and it has been confessedly great, there are yet in the State 388 cider distilleries. 
The counties of Burlington, Gloucester, Monmouth, Hunterdon, Warren, and Sus- 
sex, are renowned for the number and quality of the horses which they breed. 

Yet, notwithstanding this agricultural character of the State, she claims no mean 
rank in manufactures. By the preceding table, 28 furnaces are given; but 12 of 
these, only, we believe, are blast furnaces, employed in making iron from the ore; 
the remainder are cupola furnaces, used in the reduction of pig and other metal to" 
castings. The furnaces of New Jersey, by the report of the committee of the ta- 
riff" convention, holden in New York, October, 1831, produced in 1830, 1,671 tons 
of pig iron, and 5,615 tons of castings; and her 108 forges, 3000 tons of bar iron. 

The first valued at ,|30 the ton, yields $50,130' 

The second, at $60, 336,900 

The third, at $90 the ton, - - 270,000 

Making .... $657,030 



for her manufacture of iron in pigs, castings and bars. This iron, however, is fur- 
ther improved in value by the aid of 10 rolling and slitting mills, 16 cupola furnaces, 
and the extensive machine shops of Patterson. And we shall not, we presume, 
underrate the annual value of the iron manufacture of the State, when we state it 
at one million of dollars; all of which is obtained from her mines, her forests, and 
her labour, not one cent of foreign matter entering into the composition. 
There are in the State, 

1 flint glass manufactory, producing annually, .... $80,000 

12 glass houses, employed on hollow ware and window glass, estimated 

each to produce annually $30,000, 360,000 

440,000- 
And 1 delf ware establishment, whose product may exceed $ - 50,000 

$490,000 

Beside several extensive clay potteries. 

We may set down, therefore, the annual product of glass and pottery ware at full 
half a million. , 

Of the 25 woollen manufactories most are small; and having no data for determin-- 
ing their respective products, we conjecturally average them at $10,000 per annum. 

From the Abstracts of the Assessors, we obtain but 45 cotton manufactories in the 
State; but the Committee of the New York Convention, of 1831, return 51 — of 
which they give the following interesting results ; 

Capital employed $2,027,644 Pounds of cloth 1,877,418 

Number of spindles 62,979 Males employed 2,151 

Number of power-looms 815 Wages per week, each $6 00 

Pounds of yarn sold 3,212,184 Females employed 3,070 

Yards of cloth 5,133,776 Wages per week, each $1 90 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 39 

Children under 12 years of age 217 Bushels of charcoal 820 

Wages per week, each $1 40 Gallons of oil 13 343 

Pounds of cotton used 5,832,204 Value of other articles 18'208 

Bbls. of flour, for sizing 975 Spindles building ll'oOO 

Cords of wood 671 Hand weavers l'o60 

Tons of coal 1^007 Total dependants 12^750 

The price of the raw material, viz. 5,832,204 lbs. at 11 cts. was *641 542 

Price of yarn sold, 3,212,184 lbs. at 30 cts. the lb. average, was $963,655 ' 

Price of cloth, 5,133,776 yards, at 15 cts. 770,066 

Gross return of cotton manufacture $1,733 721 

The six calico bleaching and printing establishments, belong to the cotton manu- 
facture. Some of these, as at Patterson, Belleville, and Rahway, are very exten- 
sive, but we have not the means to give their results. 

The four machine factories at Patterson alone, employ above 400 hands ; and the 
Phcenix Manufacturing Company, in addition to their cotton establishment, have 
1,616 spindles employed in spinning flax, consuming 493,000 lbs., and employing 
196 hands. The flax is manufactured into duck and bagging. In the cotton esta- 
bhshment of Mr. John Colt, there were manufactured in 1831-2, 460,000 yards of 
cotton duck. ^ 

The 29 paper mills produce large returns. Some of these mills, as at Patterson 
Springfield, Mount Holly, &c. are built on the best models, and employ the most 
improved machinery. 

The manufacture of leather from the hide into the various articles of its use ia 
very extensively conducted. There are 2,876 tan vats ; and the fabric of shoes 
boots and harness, gives employment and wealth to many individuals in Newark' 
Bloomfield, Rahway, Burlington, «fec. &c. ; and its product forms a laro-e item in the 
exports of the commonwealth. Hats and clothing for the southern market are also 
made in the first three towns last mentioned; and, also, in large quantities in the 
thriving village of Plainfield. 

Coaches cabinetware and chairs, form also large articles of export both from East 
and West Jersey, from Camden, and from Newark and Rahway. 

Unfortunately, we do not possess the means of giving in detail, or in gross the 
results of many of these valuable branches of business ; for we want, in relation to 
this state, the usual data for determining the quantum of surplus production, which 
an account of her exports would aff-ord. Her whole foreign trade, and the far 
greater proportion of her domestic business, centers in New York and Philadelphia 
to swell the business tables of these two great marts. But we are assured that, from' 
Rahway alone the amount furnished to the general coasting trade is not less than a 
million ot dollars annually ; whilst the products of the manufactures of Belleville 
and Its vicinity, are valued at 2,000,000, and those of Patterson at more than double 
that amount. By the treasury report of 1832, the whole tonnage was 573 90 100 
registered, and 32,499 24.100, enrolled and licensed. And the whole amount of 
exports foreign and domestic, $11,430; but of the tonnage of the State, 5,000 are 
said to be enregistered in the New York districts. 

_ We confess, that the view we have thus given of the condition of the State is very 
impertect; but it suffices to show, that, in agriculture, in manufactures, in the great 
improvements by canals and rail-roads, she nobly maintains a course of emulation 
With her great adjacent sister states. By the Morris and Raritan Canals, and by the 
rail-way of the Trenton Falls Company, new and great acquisitions of water power 
tor machiney have been attained, with increased facilities of communication with the 
best markets; and there remain unemployed upon the mountain streams, now cheaply 
accessible a vast number of mill sites, among which we may mention those at Bel- 
videre and Clinton as entitled to great attention. The Musconetcono- river throush- 
haS'Sf'h X m'^ '^r t'^P^^fit^bly employed, since ready communication may be 
had uith the Morris Canal from all points. The upper falls of the Passaic, the 
waste waters of the Rockaway, the Pequannock and Ramapo Rivers, will all, pro- 
bably, be brought into use by the improvements already made and projected. Her 
Zrti; III ^:"lfT"' ''" "'f ''^''' '''^" •""'■''"' '''"y ^^^ ^'^y ^^^^s and day, will be 
wiS "°'";. '",'* ""^'^ ^'^^'^y ^^'"^^' ^"'l ^i" S^^^^iy increase her 

weaUh , her copper profusely scattered over a Iarg« area, accessible as any in the 



>5» 



40 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. ' 

world ; her inexhaustible and unsurpassed beds of iron ; her stupendous veins of 
zinc will, at no distant day, give employment to additional thousands of in elligent 
and contented labourers, and instead of pouring forth her population to fertilize 
enrich and bless other lands, she will give to her sons full employment and the 
mean of wealth, within her own limits. Already has the reflux of population com- 
menc d Newark, Patterson, Bloomfield, Trenton, Boonton and Rah way, will, m 
Ten years, have doubled their population ; and New Jersey will we believe, at he 
census of 1840, have increased her inhabitants in a ratio equal to that of any of he 
original states; and among the stars which form the bright constellation of the 
Union though small, she will not be the least brilliant. . 

CLmATE.i-It is supposed that the climate of our country has undergone, and s 
still undergoing, a matirial change; that thunder and lightning are less frequent, 
he cold of^oir winters, and heat of our summers, less, and more variable ; the springs 
CO der and the autumns more temperate. It is possible, but we think doubtful that 
the variability of the climate has increased; but the average severity of heat and 
CO d hi not been diminished. The following description of the weather, by a settler 
of East Jersey, in 1683, will be recognised as true at the present day. " As for 
the tenperat 'r'e of the air, it is wonderfully suited to the humours of mankind; the 
lindTnd weather rarely holding in one point, or one k nd, for ten days together^ It 
^rare thing for a vessel to be windbound for a week togelher the wind seldom 
hoM ng in a point more than 48 hours ; and in a short tinie we have wet and dry, 
warm Ld cold weather, which changes we often desire in England, and look for be- 
fore^ey come.- Alternations of cold and mild winters, of hot and coo sumniers, 
of earl/and late commencen.ents of frosts, of drought and superabundant rain, have 
been continued, from the earliest period to which our knowledge of the country ex- 
tends A revi;w of the seasons from 1681, shows no less than 39 years in which 

remained closed until the 13th March. In 1790, it closed on the 8th, and in 1797 
remained ciosea I rigorous cold weather began in November ; and , 

rDe,lw,l t'sTzt L o„ .he ,U, December. In 1780, in .he ^onth« 

1 S: TJLZ'Z D^ r i. i:u,.^S:»r:rDe V,i.. He .ea .h. T.,e. on. 
r;.toeee„.e,.«3^a„a..ve^^^^ 

Ihe winter oi i/oo , orchards were m full bloom, and , 

rrrr ■£":".. o^"^",;in fh 'L'„.h or .nne j h„, o-h-sa .now f.U I 

Ssffo* in .t "„„.K of Dece,nbe,, J»n„y and r.l,rn.r, ; -i"™? -^-I- ; - 
fSsKys when .i>e .«n was 'PP-"',,f ;-:I'°r;i r^V/Ja^ tr'lSoV'^ 

;Lr.h:'„,tr.:rpr.;.,.''/r:hr:;!:„JrvSa.„ ^.=^.0 j-. ... .he .»„.f 

the whole period was 39° of Fahrenheit ^^ ■ 

of the air is nearly the same, as in the P-ced.ng day^ Aft r ^J^ h°"-t d y , ^ 
evenings are generally agreeable, and often delightful. Ihe mgner xn 

* Smith's N. J. 169. 



NORTHERN DIVISION. 41 

rises in the day, the lower it falls the succeeding night. From 80°, it commonly 
■ falls to 66°; but from 60° only to 50*. This disproportion between the temperature 
of the day and night, in summer, is always greatest in the month of August, when 
the dews are heavy in proportion to the coolness of the evening. They are some- 
times so considerable as to wet the clothes; and marsh meadows and creeks, drained 
by the heat, have been supplied with their usual water from this source, in this month 
and the first weeks of September. The violent heats of summer seldom continue 
more than two or three days, without intermission. They are generally broken by 
showers of rain, sometimes accompanied by thunder and lightning, and succeeded 
by a north-west wind, which produces an agreeable and invigorating coolness in 
the air. 

The warmest weather is generally in July ; but intensely hot days are often felt 
in May, June, August and September, and the mean heat of August has been 
greater than that of July. The transitions from heat to cold are often sudden, and 
sometimes to very distant degrees. After a day in which the mercury has been at 
86° and even at 90°, it has fallen in the course of a single night to 60'', and fires 
have been found necessary the ensuing morning, especially if the change in the 
temperature of the air has been accompanied by rain and a S. E. wind. In a sum- 
mer month, the mercury has been known to fall 20° in an hour and a half. There 
are few summer months in which fires are not agreeable in some part of them. 
Mr. Rittenhouse informed Dr. Rush, that there was not a summer during his resi- 
';dence in the country, in which he did not discover frost in every month. 

The weather is equally variable during the winter. The mercury has fallen from 
37 to 42* below in 24 hours. In this season, nature seems frequently to play at 
cross-purposes. Heavy falls of snow are often succeeded by a thaw, which, in a 
short time, wholly dissolves them. The rivers are frozen sufiiciently hard to bear 
horses and carriages, and thawed so as to be navigable, several times in the course 
of the winter. Ice is commonly formed gradually, and seldom until the rivers have 
been chilled with snow. Yet, sometimes its production is sudden, and the Dela- 
ware has frequently been frozen over in a night, so as to bear the weight of a man. 

In the alluvial district of New Jerse}', frost and ice appear in the latter end of 
October, or beginning of November. But intense cold is rarely felt, until about 
Christmas. Hence the vulgar saying, "as the day lengthens, the cold strengthens." 

The coldest weather is from the middle of January, to the middle of February. As 
in summer there are often days in which fires are agreeable, so in winter they some- 
■, times are incommodious. Vegetation has been observed in all the winter months. 
■'.Garlic was tasted in butter in January, 1781; the leaves of the willow, the blossom 
of the peach, and the flowers of the dandelion, were all seen in February, 1779, and 
Dr. Rush says, that 6P years since, he saw an apple orchard in full bloom, and small 
apples on many of the trees in the month of December. In February, 1828, we 
gathered flowers from the unprotected garden, and saw cattle cropping good pas- 
turage in the fields. A cold day is often the precursor of a moderate evening. The 
greatest degree of cold recorded in Philadelphia, is 5° below zero, and of heat 95® 
F. The standard temperature of Southern Jersey may be 52'', which is that of our 
deepest wells and the mean heat of common spring water. 

The spring is generally unpleasant. In March, the weather is stormy, variable 
and cold; in April, and sometimes far in May, moist and raw. From the variable- 
ness of the spring, vegetation advances with unequal pace in different seasons. 
The colder the spring, the more favourable the prospect of fruit. The hopes of the 
farmer from his fruit-trees, are, in a warm spring, often blasted by frost in April or 
May, and sometimes even by snow, at a later period. The colder the winter, the 
greater is the delay of the return of spring. Sometimes the weather, during the 
spring months is cloudy and damp, attended occasionally with gentle rain resem- 
pling the spray from a cataract. 

June is the only rnontJi of the year which resembles the spring in the southern 
countries of Europe. Tlien, generally, the weather is temperate, tlie sky serene, 
ahd the verdure of the country universal and delightful. 

The autumn is the most agreeable season of the year. The cool evenings and 
mornings, which begin about the middle of September, are attended with a mode- 
rate temperature of the air during the day. This kind of weather continues, with an 
increase of cold scarcely perceptible, till the middle of October, when it is closed by 
rain, which sometimes falls in such quantities as to produce destructive freshets; at 
others, in gentle showers, which continue, with occasional interruption by a few fair 

F 



42 • GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

days, for two or three weeks. These rains are the harbingers of winter, and the In- 
dians long since taught us, tliat, the cold of that season is proportionate to the quan- 
tity of rain wJiicli falls during the autumn. From this account, it is apparent, that 
there are seldom more than four months of the year in which the weather is agree- 
able without fire. 

In winter the winds generally come from the N. W. in fair, and from the N. E. 
in foul weather. The N. W. winds are dry and cold. The winds, in fair weather 
in the spring, and in warm weatlier in the summer, blow from the S. W. and 
W. N.W. The S. W. winds usually bring with them refreshing showers of rain in 
spring and summer, whicli moderate the heat when succeeded by a N. W. wind» 
Sometimes showers come from the W. and N. W. 

The moisture of the air is said to be greater than formerly; occasioned, prebably, 
by the exhalations which fell in the form of snow, now descending in rain. The 
depth of the snow is sometimes between two and three feet; in 1828-9, it was near 
four, but in general it is from six to nine inches. Hail frequently falls with snow 
in the winter. At intervals of years, heavy showers of ha.il fall in the spring and 
summer, running commonly in veins from 40 to 50 miles long, and from half a mile 
to two miles in breadth. On such occasions, destruction of grain, grass and win- 
dows, to great value, is not unfrequent. From sudden changes of the air, rain and 
snow often fall together, forming what is commonly called sleet. In the northern 
parts of the State, in protected spots, snow sometimes lies until the first of April. 
The backwardness of the spring has been ascribed to the passage of the air over the 
ice and snow which remain, after the winter months, on the plains and waters of the 
north-west country. 

The dissolution of the ice and snow is sometimes so sudden, in the spring, as to 
swell the creeks and rivers to such a degree as to lay waste the hopes of the hus- 
bandman, and in some instances to sweep his barns, stables, and even his dwelling 
into their currents. Of this power' of the flood, the years 1784 and 1832, afford 
memorable examples. The wind, during a general thaw, comes from the S. W. or 
S. E. 

The air, when dry, has a peculiar elasticity, which renders the heat and cold 
less insupportable than the same degrees of both in moister countries. It is only 
when summer showers are not succeeded by N. W. winds, that the air becomes op- 
pressive by combination with moisture. With the removal of the forest the waters 
have decreased considerably. 

The average quantity of water which falls yearly, is from 24 to 26 inches, ac- 
cording to the statement of Dr. Rush : but this would seem much too small, since ' 
a table of 20 years, from 1810 to 1829, inclusive, 14 of which were kept by P. Le- 
geaux, Esq. at Springmills, and 6 at the Pennsylvania Hospital, give 35.16 inches; - 
and a table for 10 years, ending 1827, kept by Dr. Darlington, of West Chester,, ' 
gives 49.92. In the first table, the highest was 43.135 inches, in 1814; and the ' 
lowest, 23.354, in 1819. In the last table the highest was 54.1 inches in 1824, and 
the lowest 39.3 inches in 1822. 

From the foregoing remarks we may justly conclude that, in New Jersey no two 
successive years are alike; that even the successive seasons and months differ from 
each other every year. Perhaps there is but one steady trait in the character of our 
climate, and that is, that it is never steady, but uniformly variable. The foregoing 
remarks apply generally to the whole State, yet with some variation. Thus, in the 
low flat country in the alluvial district, the climate is warmer in winter and hotter 
in summer, than in the more northern and elevated lands of the other sections. The. 
heat of the summer and the cold of the winter are, however, tempered by the wa- 
ters which bound it on three sides. In summer, upon the ocean and bay, the sea i 
breeze prevails, and with the prostration of the forest, it finds its way yearly further-^ 
interior. As the country north of Trenton rises in aerial height, as well as in lati- 
tude, its temperature necessarily decreases from both causes. The change, however, 
is not very considerable until we reach the mountains, where the diminution of heat 
is apparent in the difli'erence of the seasons. Vegetation in the spring is from one ^ 
to two weeks later than in the lower country, and the approach of winter is i 
much earlier. It is to their altitude more than latitude, that the mountains owe theit {j 
cool and invigorating breezes which render them attractive in the summer season. i| 



43 



PREFATORY CHAPTER. 

TAJSLT II. 

Containing a Moral View of the State. 

Division of the Political Poioer into Three Great Branches. — I. Legislatire Council and 
Jlssevihly — hij whom Elected — A''om.inations — Forra of Elections — Legislative Council 
— how Composed — Potoers — Jissemhlij — hoio Constituted — Potcers. — II. Execative 
Branch — Jt'hat — Governor — his Paiccrs and Duties — Secretary of State — Poivers and 
Duties — Treasurer — Powers and Duties — Revenue and Expenditures of the State — 
Burden on the Citizens — Jittorncy General — Sheriff — Coroner — Officers of State Prison 
— Political Division of Counties and Toicnsldps — of Township Officers — Services in 
Taxation — Relief of the Poor — Making and Repairing Roads — Executive Duties of 
County Clerk — Militia System. — III. Judiciary — Courts for Trials of Small Causes — 
Court of Quarter Sessioris — Common Pleas — Orphans' Court — Supreme and Circuit 
Courts — Court of Cliancery — Court of Appeals — Compensation of Officers. — IV. Pro- 
visions for Religious, Moral , and Intellectual Improvement — Religious Societies — Li- 
terary Institutions established by Individual Largess — Common Schools established 
by the State — Publication of the Laws — Newspapers in the State. 

In the organization of the Commonwealth, the political power here, as elsewhere 
in well constituted States, has been divided into three great branches; the Legisla- 
tive, Executive, and Judicial. But, in the existing constitution, these divisions 
have not been well preserved, the first having received the greater proportion of the 
province of the second, and having the third wholly dependent upon it. 

I. The legislative power is vested in a council and assembly, chosen by qualified 
electors, on the second Tuesday of October, and the day succeeding, annually. The 
election is then holden for Slate officers, and on the first Tuesday of November, when 
occasion requires, for members of congress and electors of president and vice president. 
Such electors must be free white citizens, of full age, who have resided within the 
county in which they claim to vote, for twelve months immediately preceding the elec- 
tion, and who have paid a tax or been enrolled on any duplicate list of the last State or 
county tax, and possess fifty pounds, clear estate. But, from the requisite of taxation 
or enrolment, as the case may be, are exempted ])ersons who may have arrived at the 
age of twenty-one years since the date of the last duplicate; persons removing from 
the township where they have paid tax, to another in the same county ; and persons 
who have been inadvertently overlooked by the assessor; the names of the last 
being immediately entered upon the tax list. The property qualification, though 
demanded by the constitution, has been virtually annulled by the act of 1st June, 
1820, providing that every person paying a State or county tax, whose name shall 
be enrolled on such duplicate list, shall be taken to be worth fifty pounds clear es- 
tate ; and thus by the omnipotence of the legislature, things essentially difiierent are 
made the same. 

The electors vote only in the township in which they reside. An attempt to vote 
a second time, is punishable by a fine of fifty dollars to the use of the poor, recover- 
able by the overseer of the township. The assessor or collector enrolling one under 
age, or non-resident in the township, with intent to admif him to vote, is subject to 
the penalty of i|100 to the like use, and recoverable in like manner. 

Such elections are conducted after the following mode. The clerks of the re- 
spective courts of Common Pleas, attend at the court house, on the first Mondays of 
September, annually, to receive from voters, lists of candidates for public suffrage, 
signed by the nominator, and transmitted by letter or delivered in person. From 
these, the clerk makes a general list of the nominees for the several offices, a copy 
whereof he sends, within a week from the nomination, to the clerks of the several 
precincts of the county; and, in case of nominations for congress or electors of pre- 
sident, a copy to the governor, who transmits a copy of all tlie nominations to the 
clerk of every county, who sends these also to the township clerks. At the elec- 
tion, no vote can be given unless for such nominee. 

The precinct clerks, by public advertisement fourteen days before that of the 
election, make known the time and place of holding it, and the names of the candi- 
dates, when and where the election officers, viz. the judge, assessor, collector, and 
town clerk, attend. The clerk posts on the door of the house where the election is 



44 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

holden, the list of the nomineeB, and the other ofTicers open the polls at 10 o'clock of 
the day. If any one of such officers be in nomination, he is disqualified from assist- 
ing at the election, unless before its commencement he publicly decline ; and should 
he assist, and be elected, his election is void. The town clerk, with the approba- 
tion of his fellow officers, may appoint a substitute; or, if he be absent, dead, or 
otherwise disqualified, and no substitute have been appointed, such uiiieers may no- 
minate a clerk for the occasion. And if the judge, assessor, or collector be absent 
or disqualified, his place may be filled by the voters present, and the absentee is 
subject to punishment by fine, unless he satisfactorily excuse himself to the court of 
common pleas. Malfeasance by an officer of the election, is punishable by a fine of 
$100 for the use of the poor. Each officer swears or affirms to the faithful perform- 
ance of his duty, and may administer like oath or affirmation to his fellows. For the 
preservation of order, the judge and inspectors may commit riotous or disorderly 
persons either to the charge of the constable, or to the common gaol for any time 
not exceeding twenty-four hours. 

The poll is open for two days ; but may be adjourned for short periods, as occasion 
may require, in case no voters appear. On the evening of the first day, it is closed at 
9 o'clock; and opened on the morning of the 2d at 8; and is finally closed at 7 
o'clock of the evening of the second day. 

All elections, for representatives in Congress, electors of President and Vice- 
President of the United States, members of council and assembly, sheriffs and 
coroners, are by ballot, which may be written or printed, or partly both, and must 
be delivered by the voter to the judge or either of the inspectors; and the name of 
such voter, being pronounced, by the officer, in an audible voice, and being unob- 
jected to, is entered upon the poll-list, and the ballot deposited in the ballot-box. 

When the poll is closed, the poll-list is signed by the officers, the ballots read, 
registered, and filed. If there be a greater number of ballots than names on the 
list, no more ballots are enumerated than names: if two or more ballots be folded, 
or rolled together, or a ballot contain more names than it ought, or otherwise appear 
to be fraudulent, it is rejected, and as many numbers, deducted from the poll-list 
as there are ballots, cast away. The number of votes being ascertained, the election 
officers, or any two of them, certify the number for each candidate, after a prescribed 
form ; a duplicate of which, duly attested, is filed in the office of the towp clerk, with 
the poll-list; and the original is transmitted to the clerk of the pleas, on or before the 
Saturday, next after the day of election ; who makes a list of the votes for each can- 
didate, from the several certificates, and ascertains who are duly elected, by a plu- 
rality of votes; files the certificates and list in his office, and makes a certificate of 
the election of each officer, a copy of which, with a copy of the list filed, he trans- 
mits to the governor. 

In case the election be for members of Congress, or electors of President, the 
governor, within five days of the receipt of the list, before a privy council, deter- 
mines the persons elected, whom the governor commissions under the seal of the ' 
State. 

In case two or more candidates, nominated for council, assembly, sheriff", or coro- 
ner, have an equal number of votes, tliere not being a sufficient number having a 
plurality, the county clerk proclaims, by advertisement, that he will attend at the 
county court-house, at a day certain, to receive nominations of persons to supply the 
vacancy; and the nomination and the election, holden thereon, are conducted in 
the manner already described ; except that, the nominations are made ten days, only, 
previous to the election. 

In case of vacancy in the council, or assembly, the vice-president of council, or 
speaker of the house, as the case may be ; or in case there be no vice-president or 
speaker, the governor, causes the vacancy to be filled ; unless it be probable that 
the services of tlie member will not be required during the remainder of the unex- 
pired legislative year. But if the board of freeholders, of the county in which the 
vacancy happens, desire that the vacancy be filled, it is done without delay. Thus," 
if a member refuse to take his seat pursuant to his election, or to Send a satisfactory 
excuse within twenty days after the meeting of the legislature, die, remove from the 
state, or be expelled, the vice-president, or speaker, as the case may be, issues his ■ 
warrant, to the clerk of the county, who takes measures similar to those above de- 
scribed, for filling the vacancy. 

The legislative council consists of the governor, who is its perpetual president, . 
having a casting voice ; of a vice-president elected by the members, who presi<les in: 



LEGISLATIVE POWER. 45 

the absence of the president; and a member from each county, elected annually. 
It has powers co-ordinate with the assembly, except in the preparation or alteration 
of money bills, which is reserved to the latter. It is convened, from time to time, 
by the governor, or vice-president, and must be convened at all times, when the 
assembly sits ; its members must be, and have been, for one whole year, next before 
election, inhabitants and freeholders in the county for which they are respectively 
chosen, and worth at least one thousand pounds of real and personal estate, within 
such county. Seven members form a quorum for business. This property qualifi- 
cation, in practice, is scarce more respected than that of the voters. 

The assembly is composed of such number of delegates, from each county, as the 
legislature may, from time to time, direct; making together, not less than thirty- 
nine. The delegate must be, and have been, for one whole year next before his 
election, an inhabitant of the county he represents, and worth five hundred pounds, 
in real and personal estate, therein. The assembly have power to choose a speaker, 
and other their officers ; to judge of the qualifications and election of their own 
members; sit on their own adjournments; prepare bills to be passed into laws; and 
to empower their speaker to convene the members when necessary. 

No judge of the Supreme, or other court, sheriff, or person holding any post of 
profit under the government, other than justices of the peace, may sit in the assem- 
bly. On the election of such person his office becomes vacant. 

On the second Tuesday next after the day of election, the council and assembly 
meet, separately, and the consent of a majority of all the representatives in each 
body, is requisite to the enactment of a law. At their first meeting, after each annual 
election, the council and assembly, jointly, by a majority of votes, elect the governor; 
they appoint the field, and general officers of the militia ; the judges of the Supreme 
Court for seven years, the judges of the inferior courts of Common Pleas, justices of 
the peace, clerks of the Supreme Court, and of the Common Pleas and Sessions, the 
attorney general and secretary of state, for five years; and the state treasurer, for 
one year; all of whom are commissioned by the governor; are capable of reap- 
pointment, and are liable to be dismissed, when convicted by the council on the im- 
peachment of the assembly. Each member of council and assembly makes oath, that 
he will not assent to any law, vote, or proceeding which shall appear to him injurious 
to the public welfare, nor that shall annul or repeal that part of the third section of 
the constitution which makes the election of members of the legislature, annual; 
nor that part of the twenty-second section, which provides for trial by jury ; nor the 
eighteenth and nineteenth sections which relate to religion. And such oath may 
be administered to the members by any member of the respective houses. The oath 
of the legislators being to preserve a part only of the constitution, sound construc- 
tion warrants the induction, that they have a constitutional authority to change all 
other parts of that instrument; and thus, their power is unrestrained, as much as 
that of the British Parliament, which may, by a simple act of legislation, remodel 
the State, as has been lately done in Great Britain. 

II. The executive power is vested in the governor, secretary of state, treasurer, the 
attorney general, and county prosecutors, and in the officers of the several town- 
ships, counties, and other precincts, viz : in the township clerks, assessors, collectors, 
commissioners of appeals, surveyors and overseers of the highways, pound keepers, 
overseers of the poor, judges of elections, township committees, and constables: 
and in the chosen freeholders of the county, the county clerk, collector, sheriff", 
coroners, and the militia. 

By the 8th article of the constitution, the governor is said to have the supreme 
executive power ; but his executive duties are circumscribed by very narrow limits, 
and in their performance he may be aided, perhaps controlled, by any three or more 
of the council, whom he is authorized to call as his privy council. Before enterinor 
on his office he swears faithfully and diligently to execute his office, and to promote 
the peace and prosperity, and to maintain the lawful rights of the State to the best 
of his ability. He is captain-general, and commander-in-chief of all the militia, and 
other military force of the State, and is by special act of assembly, trustee of the 
school fund. He is empowered, when the post of vice president of council, or 
speaker of assembly is vacant, to cause vacancies in the respective chambers to be 
filled. He may proclaim rewards of not more than |t300 for one offender, for the 
apprehension of any person charged with murder, burglary, robbery, or other dan- 
gerous outrage upon the person or property of the citizen, for the api^rehension of 
their accessories, and for the arrest of any unknown perpetrator of such offences ; 



46 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

may demand fugitives from justice from this State, and draw his warrant for the 
expenses of their reclamation ; may remit costs of prosecution and debts due to the 
State, from any criminal, on the recommendation of the inspectors of the State 
prison ; may suspend the execution of the sentence of death against any criminal 
until the rising of the next meeting, thereafter, of the governor and council; and in 
conjunction with the legislative council, may grant pardon for any offence after 
condemnation ; he may authorize the owner of a slave condemned for certain 
offences, to send him from the State ; distribute copies of the laws to the United 
States and other States ; license pedlars ; appoint notaries, who hold their offices 
during good behaviour ; appoint inspectors of flour in certain cities, removable at his 
pleasure ; order out the militia in case of invasion or other emergency, when and so 
long as he may deem necessary, not exceeding two months ; and perform other du- 
ties specially imposed upon him by the legislature. 

The secretary of state, as we have seen, is elected by the assembly in joint meet- 
ing, for five years. Before entering on the duties of his office, he makes oath that 
he will faithfully perform them, and gives bond conditioned to like effect. He must 
reside at Trenton. He must file in his office the laws of the State as they are 
enacted, so that those of each session be kept in separate bundles, and give copies of 
tliem when required, under his hand and seal of office; and, within four weeks from 
the end of every session, deliver a copy of the laws therein passed, to the printer 
thereof, assist him in comparing the proof sheets with the laws, and make marginal 
notes thereto. He must record all papers which come to his hands pertaining to 
his office ; and tri-monthly report to the governor, an account of the business done 
in his ofiice, relating ta the record of wills, letters of administration and guardian- 
ship, and of the unfinished business therein ; and must lay a general statement of 
the business in his office before the legislature at their first session, annuall}^; must 
keep the bookg and papers of the late auditor's office, and settle the accounts, if any 
be unsettled, of any of the agents of forfeited estates ; must record all deeds delivered 
to him for record, duly acknowledged and proved, and must index such deeds; must 
in all cases, where money is paid into the public treasury, and the receipt of the 
treasurer therefor is brought to him, enter the same in the public books in his office, 
in an account with the treasurer, and indorse such entry upon the receipt, without 
which it is not available against the State. He must prosecute clerks of courts, on 
the report of the treasurer, who fail to return the abstracts of fines, amercements 
and judgments on forfeited recognizances for use of the State. He is register of 
the prerogative office and court, and is required to record the names of testators of 
all wills, and of intestates, the inventories of whose estates he may receive, and to 
file such wills and inventories. He must record bonds given by the keeper of State 
prison ; and the partition lines of townships and counties, as returned by the com- 
missioners of survey. He is also clerk of the court of appeals, and trustee of the 
school fund ; and he must keep suspended for public view a list of the fees payable 
in his several offices. 

The treasurer, before entering on his office, is required to take and subscribe an 
oath of office, and give bond with sufficient sureties approved by the legislature, in . 
the sum of fifty thousand dollars, conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties 
and for the fidelity of those employed by him; which oath and bond are to be made 
before the vice president or justice of the Supreme Court, and to be deposited in the 
office of the secretary of state. His duty is to receive and keep the monies of the 
State, and to disburse them agreeably to law; to take receipts for all payments; to 
keep accounts of receipts and expenditures, and of all debts due to, and from the 
State; to make reports and give information to either branch of tiie legislature in 
person or in writing, as he may be required, respecting matters referred to him by 
the council or assembly, or appertaining to his office; and generally to perform all 
services relative to the finances which he may be directed to perform ; to state, in 
books, the account of monies which he shall receive for taxes, or other account in 
behalf of the State, or which he shall pay, in pursuance of the acts and resolutions 
of the legislature, so that, the net produce of the whole revenue, as well as of each 
branch thereof, and the amount of disbursements, may distinctly appear; and to lay 
such accounts, from time to time, before the legislature ; to receive reports of clerks 
of courts, of fines, amercements and judgments on forfeited recognizances, and within 
two days after the first day of November, annually, to return the name of every de- 
linquent clerk, to the secretary for prosecution ; to cause to be set up in his office, 
that clause of the act of 19th Nov. 1799, which requires tlie treasurer's receipt for 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 47 

monies paid him, to be entered in the office of the secretary, and endorsed by him; 
to receive taxes collected for the State from the county collector, and to prosecute 
for the same when wrongfully withheld ; to prosecute for the recovery of the tax 
upon bank stock, when not paid according to law j to sue for all sums of money 
which may become due to the State, and receivable in his office, and to make dis- 
tribution, annually, of the laws of the State according to law 3 he is also a trustee 
of the school fund. 

The following abstract from the report of the State Treasurer made to the Legisla- 
ture, Oct. 1832, exhibits the condition of the Treasury, and the sources of its revenue, 
with the exception, that $30,000 at least is to be added to receipts of the current and 
future years, for the annual bonus of the Camden and Amboy Rail-road, and the 
Delaware and Raritan Canal. It will also be observed, that besides the $40,000 tax 
levied directly upon the State, there is a further sum of about $11,000 annually, but 
indirectly, levied upon the holders of Bank stock, and appropriated to the school 
fund. We append, also, the treasurer's report on the banks, exhibiting in detail the 
income derived from that source, and the actual condition of this branch of business 
in the State. We may also remark, here, that the only property possessed by the 
State, save a small tract of land at Patterson, and some lots and buildings at Tren- 
ton, and the oyster beds in her rivers and on her coasts, and the stocks mentioned 
in the treasurer's report, consists of 2000 shares of Camden and Amboy Rail-road 
stock and Delaware and Raritan Canal stock, valued at par at $200,000. 

Dr. 
1832. Dolls. Cts. 

Surplus monies loaned $20,000 00 

Commissioners for negotiating loan 50 00 

Deaf and Dumb, amount of account 2,089 04 

State Library, do. 117 48 
Jurisdiction, amount of account for defence 
of suit against New York in relation to 

boundary 1,401 36 

Legislature, amount of account 18,728 98 

Printing accourlt, do. 2,253 00 

State Prison, do. 5,800 20 

Salaries, do. 6,636 00 



Incidentals, do. 1,716 91 

Transportation of Criminals, do. 1,758 43 

Pensions, do. 856 86 

Inquisitions, do. 1,637 36 

Militia, do.* 398 78 

State account, including salaries of Gover- 
nor, Judges, &c. 4,019 00 
Constable's account 15 00 

Bills receivable — 
Due from T. G. $1000 

Due from Presbyterian Church at Patter- 
son 150 



57,076 06 



1,150 00 



Trenton Bank, 

Due from Bank 

Due from State Bank at Morris 

Due from State Bank at Newark 

Due from George Sherman 



Trenton, October 2Zd, 1832. 



10,552 

9,779 91 
195 47 

87 45 
300 00 


34 

83 




$77,991 


23 



* The amuial chara;e for militia expenses is $620 — viz: $dO to the brigade inspector of 
ch county, and $'200 to the ((uartermaster and inspector generals. 



48 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

1832. 



Contra. 


Cr. 




Dolls. Cts. 


Bills receivable — 




Received for surplus money loaned $20,000 


00 


Received for commissions paid, being 




part of interest 50 


00 


Balance on hand, October 25th, 1831 14,819 


66 


Taxes- 




Received from the several counties 40,000 


00 


Debts outstanding — 




Amount received on this account $ 509 34§ 




Amount due this account 1,150 80 




1 fi^O 


34i 




Fines and forfeitures — 




Received on this account 760 


00 




— 77,289 00* 



Premiums — 
Received on this account 306 22^ 

Revised laws — 
Received for one copy sold 3 00 

Pedlar's license — 
Received for this account 585 00 

Interest account — 
Received balance of interest for use of 

surplus money loaned 808 00 






1,702 22^ 
78,991 23 

Balance due as above per contra — 

Deposited in Trenton Bank 9,779 91 

Do. State Bank at Morris 195 47 

Do. State Bank at Newark 87 45 

Due from George Sherman, for advance made for printing 

law reports now in progress 300 00 

Balance on settlement 10,362 23 



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EXECUTIVE POWER. 51 

Perhaps no country of equal territorial extent and population, in the world, is 
governed at less cost than the State of New Jersey; and if the happiness of the 
people be the object and evidence of good government, we do not hesitate to say, 
that none is better governed. The sum actually levied on the people directly and 
indirectly, for the maintenance of the State government, exclusive of the township 
and county poHty, will not exceed $ 55,000, and is more likely to be diminished 
than increased. The whole population, at the present period, 1833, is not less than 
330,000, which gives to each individual 16 2-3 cents tax; or dividing the number of 
individuals by six, for the number of families, gives one dollar for every head of a 
family in the State. This, it will be observed, is only the tax levied by the State, 
as contradistinguished from township and county taxes. To ascertain the burden 
actually supported by the people, we must include not only the latter, but also the 
sums paid for the maintenance of tlie militia, and of religious instruction. An 
opportunity is thus afforded, we trust, of settling, satisfactorily, the question which 
has lately been agitated, relative to the proportions paid by the inhabitants of the 
North American republics, and the subjects of European kingdoms, for the mainte- 
nance of the social relations. 

By the singular character of our political association, each citizen contributes to 
the maintenance of two governments. The sum paid to the general government, by 
the whole community of the United States, is the net amount of duties after the 
deduction of drawbacks. 

Taking that amount at twenty-five millions,* and dividing it by fourteen millions, 
the probable population of tlie United States, in January, 1834, we have a charge of 
$ 1 78^ nearly. But a more favorable view may be taken of this subject. The 
extent of revenue, required for a liberal administration of the government, is esti- 
mated at fifteen millions of dollars, and it is highly probable, that the nation will 
not, for many years, consent to pay a larger sum than is requisite, and which, from 
accumulation, may become dangerous to her welfare. This sum would impose a 
tax, supposing it be collected from commerce alone, and the proceeds of lands to be 
divided among the states, of ^ 1 06 and a fraction upon each individual. 

From the general statistical table of the State, it appears, that for the year 1832, 
there were levied, for State purposes, exclusive of the tax on banks, $40,366 71 
Tax on banks, per treasurer's report, . . . - - 11,585 44 

County tax, as per return of assessors, - ... - 104,166 00 
Township taxes, viz : Poor, ... 78,131 00 

Road, - - - - 192,859 00 

School, - - - 1,366 00 

271,386 GO 



427,504 15 



The militia expenses, actually paid by the treasury of the State, are included in 
the foregoing amount; but the time devoted, we had like to have said, wasted, in 
militia duties, together with the money uselessly expended, cannot be estimated at 
less than one dollar for every prescribed day of service, for each person enrolled, or 
placed on the exempt list. There are three training days in the year. The fine for 
non-attendance is two dollars per day, and the sum paid by the exempt is five dollars 
per annum, in form of tax. Every ofiicer and private expends, on the day of service, 
more than would support him at home. The military force of the State, by the 
adjutant general's report for 1832, amounted to $35,360; that number multiplied 
by four dollars, which we take as the mesne expense of each oflacer, private, and 
exempt, gives a total annual amount of . . - - . 141,440 00 

The annual cost of religious instruction, according to the statement 

hereinafter given, 120,000 00 

General government for duties at 179 per head, - - - - 590,700 00 

State charges, including township and county rates, at one dollar 

twenty-nine cents and five mills per head, nearly, - - 427,504 15 



1,279,644 15 



* The receipts of the treasury, for the three first quarters of 1832, were $21,730,717 19; 
and the treasurer's estimate, for 18.13, was twenty-one millions; but it is generally supposed 
that the receipt will much exceed the estimate. 



52 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

This sum divided by the number of inhabitants, (330,000,) gives a charge of 
$ 3 86,** nearly, upon each inhabitant, — for the payment of principal and interest 
of the public debt — the pension list — for the support of the General and State go- 
vernments — for the maintenance of schools in part — for the support of the clergy, 
and the founding and preservation of churches — for the support of the poor — for 
making and repairing all other than turnpike roads, and the erection of bridges by 
the townships and counties — and in a wrord, for all kinds of public expenditure. 

The attorney general is the representative of the Slate in all the courts of the 
commonwealth, and prosecutes in her name all offenders against her peace and 
dignity, and sues and defends all suits in which she has an interest. Deputy 
attornies are appointed by the legislature for the counties respectively, whose 
term of office is five years; they are vested in their respective districts with the 
same powers, entitled to the same fees, and subject to the same penalties as 
the attorney general. Yet, notwithstanding such appointment, he may acf in 
such counties when present; and any court is empowered to appoint a special sub- 
stitute, for the term, in case neither the attorney general nor the general deputy 
shall attend. For neglect of duty, in prosecuting forfeited recognisances, fines, 
debts, &c. due to the State, he may, on conviction before council, on impeachment^ 
by the assembly, be disabled to act as attorney or solicitor in any court of the State, 
for one year. The attorney general is one of the trustees of the school fund. 

A sheriff is annually elected by each county, who is eligible three times consecu- 
tively, but who, after the third year, cannot be again re-elected, until after the lapse 
of three years. He must be, and have been, an inhabitant and freeholder of his 
county for at least three years next preceding his election; must give bond to the 
State with five sureties in the sum of ^20,000, approved by the judges of the Com- 
mon Pleas, conditioned for the faithful performance of his duty, and make oath or 
affirmation to like effect; both of which are filed in the office of the county clerk. 
If he fail to give such bond and take such oath, a new election may be had; but this 
done, he may act before receipt of commission from the governor. When occasion 
requires, suits may be instituted on his bond, by order of that officer. He is par 
excellence the executive officer of his county, is the chief conservator of its peace, 
and has authority to call forth and direct its physical force to maintain the laws. 
He has charge of the jails of the county, and is responsible for the conduct of their 
keepers. He summons all juries, and executes all process civil and criminal issuing 
from the courts, and carries their judgments into effect. He may appoint deputies, 
who give bond and make oath for faithful performance of their duties, and have 
their appointment filed with the county clerk. At the request of the United States, 
and by the statute of this State, he has charge of prisoners committed by authority 
of the general government. He may not, during the continuance of his office, act 
as justice of the peace or keep tavern; nor become bail in any suit. In case of his 
death, removal or disability, a new election is had upon certificate thereof by a jus- ■ 
tice of the peace, to the county clerk ; and during the vacancy, the duties of his office- 
may be performed by the coroner. 

Three coroners are annually elected in each county, must be inhabitants and' 
freeholders, and be commissioned by the governor; but may act before commis- 
sion; and must take oath, faithfully to execute their duties. The coroner, as we 
have seen above, is the substitute for the sheriff where the office of the latter is va- ^ 
cant, or where under particular circumstances, as when the sheriff is interested c* 

* The Revile Britamque, No 12, for 1831, avers, that notwithstanding the asserted 
economy of the American republic, its expenses exceeded, proportionably to its popula- 
tion, those of the French monarcliy. The charge upon each individual in France is admit- 
ted, by the reviewer, to be 31 francs, and that in the United States is asserted, to be 35 
francs. The French estimate does not include ecclesiastical expenses, the sums paid for 
the extinction of the public debt, the maintenance of the poor, the charges for education 
and other expenses, whilst our estimate contains all these. Vahung the dollar at 5 francs 
33 centimes, the charge on each individual in the State of New Jersey would be 20 francs 
69 cts. But if we include, in the American impost, no other charges than those of the 
French estimate, the American citizen, by the rate paid in this State, does not pay for 
every species of taxation, more than one-third of the amount of the French subject, whose 
burden is less than that of the subject of any other of the principal monarchies in Europe. 
The burden on tlie people of New Jersey is, perhaps, something less than that upon the 
citizens of some of tiie other States, which may have contracted considei-able debts; but 
it is larger than is imposed in most of the Western States, and, we think, may be taken 
as a fair average of chai'ges throughout the Union. 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 53 

has not given bond, he is disqualified. Where any writ from any court is directed 
to the coroner, the return made and signed by one of them is sufficient, but sucli re- 
turn does not prejudice or affect the rest. The most ordinary duty of the coroner, 
however, is to talie inquests relative to deaths in prison, and of all violent, sudden 
or casual deaths within his county ; which he performs through a jury summoned 
on his writ, by the constable, and over which he presides. 

The constable is the next in grade, but is not the least important of the executive 
officers. He is annually elected by the qualified voters of the township, of which 
he may be considered the sheriff. He makes oath or affirmation, and gives bond to 
the township, for the faithful performance of his duty. He executes all process 
from the justices' courts, and that issued by coroner on inquest of death ; and he is 
charged v/ith various executive duties, the performance of which moves from him- 
self. Thus, he is a conservator of the peace, and may arrest and confine persons 
found in breach of it, or contravening the act for the suppression of vice and immo- 
rality; may call out the inhabitants to extinguish fires in forests, &c. ; may make 
proclamation in case of riots, and seize rioters ; may arrest and disperse slaves meet- 
ing together in an unlawful manner, and the like. 

All officers of the State appointed by the legislature in joint meeting, must reside 
within the State, and execute in person such office; except, that, the surrogate ge- 
neral may appoint deputies ; officers of counties must reside within their respective 
counties, and are prohibited from farming out their offices to others, under penalty of 
five hundred pounds. Such officers desirous of resigning, must make their resigna- 
tion during the sitting of the legislature, and to the members thereof in joint meeting, 
attending in person for that purpose, or by letter. And every officer issuing or 
executing a warrant for removing a prisoner out of the State, an inhabitant thereof, 
as prohibited by the habeas corpus act, is disqualified to hold office, and is punish- 
able by fine and imprisonment at hard labour. The civil office of any person held 
under the State, is vacated by election and acceptance by the incumbent of a seat 
in congress; the office of governor is also vacated, if incumbent accept of any office 
or appointment under the United States, except such as may be for defence of the 
State or adjoining posts; and the seat of a member of council or assembly is also 
vacated by such election and acceptance, and by the acceptance of any appoint- 
ment under the government of the United States. All officers elected in joint meet- 
ing neglecting or refusing to qualify themselves for the space of two months after 
information of their election, make void their posts. No alien can hold, or elect to 
any oflice. 

The officers of the state prison are essential arms of the executive power, since 
they aid in executing the judgments of the law. They consist of three inspectors, 
two of whom make a quorum, appointed annually, in joint meeting by the assem- 
bly ; the keeper nominated and removable by the inspectors, and his deputies and 
assistants appointed by him and approved by the inspectors. The inspectors are 
empowered to examine the accounts of the keeper, and any witness in relation 
thereto, including the keeper, upon oatli ; to appoint annually or oftener, one of 
their number acting inspector; to meet as often as shall be necessary, and at least 
quarterly; and the acting inspector is required to attend tiie prison, at least once a 
week to inspect the management thereof, and the conduct of the keeper and his de- 
puties; to make regulations to give effect to the law, for the punishment of crimes 
and the good government of the prison; to punish prisoners in case of refractory, 
disorderly behaviour, or disobedience to the rules of the prison, by confinement in 
the cells and dungeons on biead and water for any time not exceeding twenty days 
for one offence, and for prevention or escapes, to put prisoners in irons ; to appoint 
an agent where they may deem proper, for the sale of articles manufactured in the 
prison. If any vacancy happen in the board during the recess of the legislature, it 
may be filled by the governor. The inspectors are allowed one dollar and fifty 
Cents per day, for every day necessarily employed in the duties of their office. 

The keeper, before entering on the duties of his office, is required to give bond to 
the State treasurer, with two sureties in the sum of ,f 1,000, conditioned that he, his 
deputy and assistants, shall faithfully perform their trusts, to be filed in the office of 
the secretary of state. He receives a salary of $1,000, and his six assistants each 
$475, per annum. The keeper is required to receive all prisoners duly committed 
to his custody, to treat them as directed by law and the rules of the prison ; to pro- 
vide, with the approbation of the inspectors, stock, materials and tools for prisoners; 
to contract for their clothing and diet, and for the sale of the produce of their la- 



54 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

bour; to keep accounts of the maintenance of offenders, of the materials furnished, 
and manufactures produced, subject to the inspection of inspectors, and to furnish 
an abstract thereof to the legislature. He may punish offenders guilty of assaults, 
where no dangerous wound or bruise is given, of profane cursing or swearing, inde- 
cent behaviour, idleness, negligence or wilful mismanagement in work, or disobe- 
dience to regulations, by confining offenders in the cells or dungeons on bread and 
water, for a time not exceeding two days; and in case of offences which he is not 
authorized to punish, he is required to make report to the inspectors. The keeper, 
his deputy or assistant, who siiall obstruct the inspectors in the exercise of their 
powers, is subject to a tine of ,>|i30, and removal from office. 

It is not within the scoj)e of this work to detail the system of criminal jurispru- 
dence in the State. But we may, with propriety, observe, that so early as 1789, 
she adopted the humane principles which now characterize the criminal laws of 
the Union; abolisliing the punishment of deatli in all cases, save treason and mur- 
der, and applying imprisonment and hard labour to the correction of other offences 
in proportion to their enormity, and seeking to reclaim tlie offender from tiie evil of 
his ways. With these views she has constructed and regulated her penitentiary, 
and advancing with the improvements of the age, has, in the year 1833, directed the 
building of a new State prison upon the latest and most approved models. 

The first steps in the science of reforming criminals in this, as in other States, 
have been unsteady, uncertain, and tending to thwart, rather than to effect, the pro- 
posed object. Tlie prisons have every where been too small, and have not been con- 
structed upon plans which would admit of tlie indispensable separation of the 
prisoners ; and have, from the free intercommunion of the criminals, been converted 
into schools of vice, instead of asylums for repentance, where the convict might se- 
curely and unimpeded by ridicule or seduction, pursue the work of his own regene- 
ration. The effects of this system are but too truly stated by the late governor 
De Vrooin, in his message to the legislature of 1832. " The situation of our 
prison," he says, "is such as to invite to the commission of crime within our State.. 
Its condition is well known to that class of offenders who are familiar with punish- 
ments. It offers to them all the allurements of that kind of society which they have 
long been accustomed to, freed from the restraints to which they would be obliged 
to submit in other places of confinement, and at the same time holds out a prospect 
of speedy escape. To this may be attributed the great number of our convicts, and 
as long as it continues, we may expect our prisons to be filled. Within the last 
three years, the number has increased from eighty-seven to one hundred and thirty, 
being an increase of fifty per cent. The remedy for these evils, now obvious, was 
the adoption of a system of penitentiary discipline, combining solitary confinement 
at labour, with instruction in labour, in morals, and religion." This system has been 
partially adopted by the act of 13th February, 1833, authorizing the construction of 
a penitentiary on the plan of the Eastern Penitentiary of Pennsylvania, with such 
alterations and improvements as the commissioners may approve, adhering to the 
principle of separate confinement of the prisoners, with hard labour. The estimate 
of the cost of this building is ^150,000, and it is to be of sufficient capacity for the 
confinement of one hundred and fifty persons. The system will be further perfected- 
by modelling tlie criminal law to the new species of punishment, when the prison, 
shall have been completed. That the reader may have some idea of the plan of the 
penitentiary now being erected on the lot belonging to the State, near the old state 
prison, we give the following description of its model. 

" The Eastern State Penitentiary is situated on one of the most elevated, airy, 
and healthy sites in the city of Philadelphia. The ground occupied by it, contains 
about 10 acres. The material with which the edifices are built is gneiss, in large 
masses; every room is vaulted, and fire proof. The design and execution, impart a 
grave, severe and awful character to the external aspect. The effect on the ima-- 
gination of the spectator is peculiarly impressive, solemn and instructive. The ar-' 
chitecture is in keeping with the design. The broad masses, the small and well 
proportioned apertures, the continuity of lines, and the bold simplicity which cha- 
racterize the fagade, are happily and judiciously combined. This is the only edific^ 
in this country, which conveys an idea of the external appearance of those magnifi-. 
cent and picturesque castles of tiie middle ages, which contribute so eminently to 
embellish the scenery of Europe. The front is composed of large blocks of hewn 
stone ; the walls are 12 feet thick at the base, and diminish to the top, where they 
are 2 3-4 feet in thickness. A wall of forty feet in height, above the interior plat- 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 55 

form, incloses an area 640 feet square ; at each angle of the wall is a tower, for the 
purpose of overlooking the establishment ; three other towers are situated near the 
gate of entrance. The faqade or principal front is 670 feet in length, and reposes 
on a terrace, which, from the inequalities of the ground, varies from three to nine 
feet in height; the basement or belting course, which is 10 feet high, is scarped, 
and extends uniformly the whole length. The central building is 200 feet in 
length, consists of two projecting massive square towers, 50 feet high, crowned by 
projecting embattled parapets, supported by pointed arches, resting on corbets or 
brackets. Thd pointed, munnioned windows in these towers, contribute in a hio-h 
degree to their picturesque effect. The curtain between the towers is 41 feet high, 
and is finished with a parapet and embrasures. The pointed windows in it are very 
lofty and narrow. The great gateway in the centre is a very conspicuous feature; 
it IS 27 feet high, and 15 wide, and is filled by a massive wrought iron portcullis, 
and double oaken gates, studded with projecting iron rivets, the whole weighing 
several tons ; nevertheless, they can be opened with the greatest facility. On each 
side of this entrance, (which is the most imposing in the United States,) are enor- 
mous solid buttresses, diminishing in offsets, and terminating in pinnacles. A lofty 
octangular tower, SO feet high, containing an alarm bell and clock, surmounts this 
entrance, and forms a picturesque proporUonal centre. On each side of this main 
building, (which contains the apartments of the warden, keepers, domestics, «&c.) 
are screen wing walls, which appear to constitute portions of the main edifice; 
they are pierced with small blank pointed windows, and are surmounted by a para- 
pet; at their extremities are high octangular towers, terminating in parapets, 
pierced by embrasures. In the centre of the great court is an observatory, 
whence long corridors, eight in number, radiate. On each side of these cor- 
ridors, the cells are situated, each at right angles to them, and communicating 
with them only by small openings, for the purpose of supplying the prisoner 
with food, &c., and for the purpose of inspecting his movements without at- 
tracting his attention; other apertures, for the admission of cool or heated air, 
and for the purpose of ventilation, are provided. A novel and ingenious con- 
trivance in each cell, prevents the possibility of conversation, preserves the purity 
of the atmosphere of the cells, and dispenses with the otherwise unavoidable 

necessity of leaving the apartment, except when the regulations permit flues 

conduct heated air from large cockle stoves to the cells. Light is admitted by a 
large circular glass in the crown of the arch, which is raking, and the highest part 
16 feet six inches above the floor, (which is of wood, overlaying a solid foundation 
of stone.) The walls are plaistered, and neatly whitewashed; the cells are 11 feet 
nine inches long, and seven feet six inches wide ; at the extremity of the cell, op- 
posite to the apertures for inspection, &c., previously mentioned, is the door-way 
containing two doors; one of lattice work or grating, to admit the air and secure the 
prisoner; the other, composed of planks, to exclude the air, if required ; this door 
: leads to a yard (18 feet by eight, the walls of which are il^ feet in height,) at- 
tached to each cell. The number of the latter, erected on the original plan,' was 
only 266, but it may be increased to 818 without resorting to the addition of second 
stories." 
I For the better administration of the government, the State has been divided into 
counties, townships, cities and boroughs. The object of these divisions is to allocate 
and circumscribe the duties of the various administrative ofiicers, in the enforce- 
ment of the laws, civil and criminal, the collection of the revenues required by the 
commonwealth and its subdivisions, and, more especially, the better to enable the ci- 
tizens to promote their own happiness by the improvement of the roads, bridges 
&c., the education of their offspring, and the maintenance of the indigent. The' 
division into counties is the most general, and embraces the others, all of which were 
readily adopted by the first English settlers, upon their coming hither, from models 
to which they had been accustomed in Europe. Several of the counties were or- 
ganized before the year 1709; but many inconveniences having arisen from the im- 
perfect definition of their boundaries, the limits of Bergen, Essex, Somerset Mon- 
mouth, Middlesex, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, and Cape May, were accurately 
designated by an act of assembly, passed 21st January, of that year. These limits 
have been since modified, in the erection of Hunterdon, Morris, Salem, Sussex 
. Warren, and Cumberland counties (for which see the titles respectively'of these' 
, ■ counties). By an act of 9th March, 1798, provision has been made for ascertaining 
^' the bounds of each county and township, in case of any dispute in relation to them. 



56 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

The State contains at present 14 counties and 125 townships. The use of these 
divisions will be better understood by examining first the constitution of thp town- 
ships. These are made bodies corporate by the act of 21st February, 1798; and 
new ones are created, and so constituted, by special laws, as the public convenience 
requires. They are thus empowered to sue, and be sued, by process left with the 
county clerks. And the qualified inhabitants are authorized to hold town meetings 
in their respective townships, upon specified days, and, also, on special convocation, 
at such places as the electors may from time to time appoint. At such meetings, 
every white male citizen of the State, of the age of twenty-one years, having re- 
sided within the township six calendar months, and paid taxes therein ; or being 
seized of a freehold, or having rented a tenement, of the yearly value of five 
dollars, for the term of one year therein, is entitled to vote. A presiding oflScer, 
appointed by a plurality of voices, directs the business of the meeting, and deter- 
mines who have or have not the right to participate therein ; and to preserve 
order he may expel, and fine not exceeding one dollar, the unruly, and even im- 
prison an ofi'ender during the session of the meeting. The voters of the township 
may make regulations and by-laws, from time to time, as they may deem proper, for 
improving their common lands in tillage or otherwise, and for the making and main- 
taining pounds ; and may enforce such regulations by fine, not exceeding twelve 
dollars, for each offence ; the regulations to be recorded by the clerk of the township, 
in a book kept for the purpose. Such meeting may, also, provide and allow rewards 
for the destruction of noxious animals ; may raise money for the support of the indi- 
gent, and education of poor children ; the building and rearing of pounds, the 
making and repairing of roads, the ascertaining the lines of the township, defending 
its rights, and for other necessary charges and legal objects and purposes as the 
major part may deem proper ; being such as are expressly vested in the inhabi- 
tants of the several townships, by some act of the legislature. The meeting may 
elect annually, and whenever there shall be a vacancy, one clerk, one or more assess- 
ors, one or more collectors, who must give bond, with surety, for the faithful per- 
formance of their duties; three or more freeholders, to determine appeals relative to 
assessments in taxation ; three school committee men ; two freeholders, commonly 
called chosen freeholders; two surveyors of the highways; one or more overseers of 
the poor; one or more constables; so many overseers of the highways, and pound- 
keepers, as they shall judge necessary ; one reputable freeholder as judge of elec- 
tions; and five freeholders, denominated the township committee — whose duty is 
to examine and report to the town meeting the accounts and vouchers of the 
township officers, to superintend the expenditure of monies of the township, and 
in case of neglect of the township meeting to supply vacancies, to fill such vacan- 
cies, among the township officers as may occur. Service in a township office for one 
year, or payment of a fine for refusal to serve, excuses the party from services in 
such office for five years thereafter. 

The townships being thus empowered to select their officers, and to provide for 
their wants, are made responsible for the proper performance of duty by their agents; 
and may be fined for the bad condition of the roads, and compelled to make good 
any loss sustained in the collection of state and county taxes, by the unfaithfulness i 
of the collectors. 

The chosen freeholders of the several townships of each county, form the admi- ! 
nistrative council, or board of the county. They are, also, incorporated, by the act of ' 
13th February, 1798, with power, to sue and liability to be sued; to hold lands and if 
chattels, &c. in trust for their respective counties, and for such uses as may be desig- |[ 
nated by law, and to sell and dispose of the same; to make and enforce such regu- 
lations as may be necessary for the government of their respective corporations, not 
contrary to the laws of the State; to raise, at their annual or other meeting held for II 
the purpose, monies for the building, purchase or repairs of poor-houses, gaols, 
court-houses and bridges; the surveying and ascertaining the lines, the prosecuting 
and defending the rights, defraying the public and other necessary charges, and ex- 
ecuting the legal purposes and objects of the county, as the major part of them shall i 
deem proper; which monies are expended under the direction of the corporation: 
to elect, annually, and pro tempore in case of absence or refusal to act, a director to 
preside at the meetinjr of the board ; to meet, annually, upon the second Wednesday III 
in May, at the county town ; to elect a clerk annually, who shall record the pro- 
ceedings of the board ; and a county collector, a freeholder and resident of the j 
county, who shall give bond, with sureties, for the faithful performance of his duty ji 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 67 

to raise monies voted by the board, by precepts to the assessors of the respective 
townships, commanding them to assess sucli amount on the inliabitants and tlieir es- 
tates, agreeably to the law for the time being, for raising money by taxation for the 
use of the State. 

When the lines of the county have not been surveyed and distinctly marked, the 
freeholders, by prescribed form, may apply to the Supreme Court for commissioners 
to survey tliem. They may, also, at their discretion, build or purchase a workhouse 
within their county, and provide for its government, and the employment of its 
inhabitants; and may establish a market, once or oftener in every year, within the 
county, for the sale of live stock, to continue not more than four days, and establish 
laws for its regulation. 

From all assessments, an appeal lies to the commissioners of appeal, who hold 
stated and special meetings at the usual place of the respective town meetings, at- 
tended by the proper assessor, and have power to summon and qualify witnesses, 
and whose decision upon the case is final. 

The township collector is charged, with the collection, within his precinct, of all 
taxes, whether levied by the township, county or state; to make return of default- 
ers in payment, on oath, to a justice of the peace, who is required to issue his war- 
rant, to the constable of the township, for levying the tax by distress and sale of the 
goods, or imprisonment of the delinquent; and the constable must account with the 
township collector. And such collector and constable are respectively required to 
render to the people, in township meeting, an account of monies by them received, 
and to pay, according to their direction, any overplus which may be in their hands. 

All monies levied for county use are to be paid by the respective township collec- 
tors, on or before the 22d day of December, annually, to the proper county collector, 
who, in case of default, may proceed summarily against them. Monies levied for 
State use, are to be paid to the state treasurer by tlie county collector on or before 
the 30th December, annually ; and such tax money, as he may receive from sheriffs, 
within ten days after the same shall have been paid ; and in case of the default of 
any county collector, the state treasurer may recover from him, for the use of the 
State, the penalty of fifty dollars, before a justice of the Supreme Court, who has ex- 
clusive cognizance thereof; and when such collectors shall not have paid over 
monies received by them, the same may be recovered by the state treasurer by proper 
action at law. The counties are responsible for all monies belonging to the State, 
received by the county treasurer, and not paid over by him to the state treasurer. 
And it is the duty of the latter to add the annual deficiency of each county, to the 
quota of the county for the subsequent year ; and of the county collector to charge 
such deficiency, and also deficiency of county tax, to the delinquent township. 

The county collector disburses the monies of the county upon the orders of the 
board of chosen freeholders, and for neglect or refusal so to do, or to perform any of 
the duties connected with the levy of taxes imposed by such board, he is subjected 
to a penalty of 300 dollars. 

Thus, in these subdivisions of the State, we have examples of a pure democracy 
and simple representative government. The people in their township meetings, (and 
the word township comprehends precincts and wards,) discuss their common wants, 
propose the remedies, and appoint the agents to give them effect. In the larger dis- 
tricts, where legislation in their proper persons would prove inconvenient, as well by 
the distance of the people from each other, as from their number when collected, the 
citizens have devolved the necessary legislative power upon agents, endowed also 
with an adequate executive capacity. This system works well, and might, possibly, 
be beneficially extended, by enlarging the sphere of action of the chosen freeholders, 
particularly, in giving effect to a general and uniform system of education. 

Having thus incidentally noticed the taxation of the townships and counties, we 
may give here the provisions for raising revenues for the State, to which those in 
other cases are analagous. [See Note A.] 

1. The legislature annually ascertains what sum of money will be requisite for 
State expenses during the succeeding year, and passes an act apportioning such sum 
among the several counties, in a ratio of their wealth and population, and fixes a 
day for the payment of the respective quotas. 

2. On certain subjects of taxation, they direct specific sums to be levied, viz: on 
. stud horses above three years old, any sum not exceeding 10 dollars; on other horses 

and mules of like age, any sum not exceeding six cents ; and on neat cattle three 
jearu old and upwards, any sum not exceeding four cents. 

H 



58 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

3. The following subjects of taxation are valued and rated at the discretion of the 
assessor, viz : tracts of land at any sum not exceeding 100 dollars the hundred 
acres. But houses and lots of ten acres and under, are rated with regard to their 

yearly rent and value.* 

Householders, (under which description all married men are included, the esti- 
mated value of whose rateable estate does not exceed 30 dollars,) three dollars over 
and above their certainties and other rateable estate ; merchants, shopkeepers and 
traders, not exceeding ten dollars ; fisheries, ten dollars ; grist mills, six dollars the 
run of stones ; cotton manufactories thirty dollars ; sail duck manufactories, ten 
dollars; woollen manufactories, ten dollars; carding machines, unconnected with 
cotton or woollen manufactories, and propelled by water or steam, three dollars; all 
furnaces, (other than blast) ten dollars; blast furnaces, thirty dollars; sawmills, for 
each saw, eight dollars; forges that work pig iron, and forges and bloomeries that 
work bar iron immediately from ore or cinders, for each fire, six dollars ; rolling and 
slitting mills, ten dollars ; paper mills, eight dollars ; snuff and oil mills, nine dollars ; 
powder mills, fifteen dollars; fullingmills, unconnected with woollen manufactory, four 
dollars ; every ferry or toll bridge, twenty dollars; tan yards, each vat, thirty cents; 
every single man, two dollars; but if he possess rateable estate, the tax whereof 
amounts to that sum, then for such estate only; no person taxed as a single man 
may be taxed as a householder; every male slave, able to labour, under the age of 
sixty years, one dollar; distillery for grain, molasses or other foreign material, thir- 
ty-five dollars; other distillery, nine dollars ; coach or chariot, five dollars; phfeton, 
coachee or four-wheeled chaise, with steel or iron springs, four dollars; four horse 
stage wagon, five dollars; two horse stage wagon, two dollars and fifty cents; 
covered wagon, with frame or fixed top, one dollar ; two horse chair, curricle, and 
every two horse riding chair, with steel or iron springs, one dollar and fifty cents; 
riding chair, gig, sulkey or pleasure wagon, dearborn wagon, with steel, iron or 
wooden springs, seventy-five cents; printing, bleaching and dying company, five 
dollars; glass factory, five dollars. 

The assessor is required to enter in his tax book and duplicate, a valuation of the 
real estate, having regard to the yearly rent and value thereof, and the amount of 
tax assessed in each township, above that raised from the certainties, is to be levied 
by a per centage upon such valution. 

He is required between the 20th of June and 20th August, annually, to make an ', 
exact list of the persons, lands, chattels and estates, including certainties, made 
rateable by law in that year, by which all assessments during the year is regulated ; 
and persons refusing to render an account, or rendering a false one, are liable to be. 
doubly taxed. 

The assessors of the several townships of the county meet at the seat of justice, 
on the first Monday of September, annually, to ascertain the amount of the certain- 
ties, and to estimate the estates, real and personal, taken by the assessors of each 
tswnship, at such valuation as a majority present shall think just, according to law, 
and thereby to adjust and fix the quota of tax to be levied in each township ; and it 
is their duty at such meeting to make out two abstracts of the rateables in each town- 
ship, signed by the assessors present, and to deliver the same to the county tieasu- 
rer, who is required to lay one of such abstracts before the legislature during the 
first week of their stated annual session ; and within fifteen days after their meet- 
ing, a duplicate of such assessment shall be delivered by the assessors to the town- 
ship and county collectors; the last of whom is required also to lay such duplicate, 
at the time abovementioned, before the legislature. ' 

The amount of the certainties being deducted from the quota of each township, 

* Tlie rationale of this arbitrary limitation to the value of the lands, is not very apparent. It 
is not i)Ossible in any case, due regard to i-elative value being preserved, that the valuation can 
approximate to the true marketable value of lands, ^vhich is in manytascs more than fifty 
times the raaxiniura of the statutory limitation. The asses.sor must make bis valuation by 
adopting a maximum or minimum, always arbitrary, from which to commence his gradation, 
and determine the value of the several classes of property by the best comparison in his power. 
If the rule for valuation be uniform in all the counties, the taxation will be equal.' But how 
is this uniformity to be obtained — to what .standard shall an appeal be made. It is certain that 
this mode of valuation affords no means of judging of the wealth of the several counties, nor 
of comparing the value of lands in this state" with that of lands in other states. If the standard 
of valuation were the marketable value of lands, though a variable one, it would be one of easy 
attainment; and inequality, designed or accidental, could be detected by a standard that was 
notorious. . 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 59 

the remainder, with the fees of assessment, collection and paying over to the trea- 
surer, is assessed on the other taxable property within the township, at such rate per 
dollar as will produce the sum required. Any party aggrieved by such assessment, 
may seek redress from the commissioners of appeal, who, for that purpose, meet on 
the second Tuesday of November, annually. 

The township collector is required, within thirty days after receipt of the dupli- 
cate, to demand payment of tlie tax from each individual of his township, in person 
or by notice left at his place of residence, and also to give notice of the time and 
place of the meeting of the commissioners of appeal; and to pay the taxes, fines and 
forfeitures by him received, by virtue of any law of the State, lo the collector of the 
county, by the 22d December, annually; and such sums as may be recovered by 
prosecution, thereafter, as soon as received. If the taxes be not paid at the time 
appointed, the collector is to make return to a justice of the peace, on the 22d De- 
cember, annually, of delinquents, with the sums due frona them, declaring on oath 
that he had in relation to them, respectively performed his duty according to law; 
and to take a receipt for such list from the justice. 

Within five days after receipt of such list, it is the duty of the justice to deliver 
warrants to the constables, requiring them to levy the tax in arrears, with costs, &c. 
by distress and sale of chattels of delinquent — or, in default of chattels, to imprison 
the body until payment be made; giving four days notice, at least, by advertise- 
ment, of tlie time and place of such sale. And it is the duty of the constable to 
pay such tax to the township collector, within forty-five days from the date of the 
warrant ; to return the warrant to the justice, with an account of the manner of his 
executing the same; a copy of which warrant and return, the justice shall, if de- 
manded, give to the collector, and return the original warrant, if not fully executed, 
to the constable. 

The constable is liable for so much of the taxes, which by such warrant he was 
required to collect, as shall not be paid over to the collector, unless the deficiency 
happen without neglect, fraud or default, on his part, in suit, by township collector, 
before a judge of the Common Pleas; and like suit may be brought against township 
collector, by the county collector, for monies collected by him, or received from 
constable, and not paid over, according to law; and in case the constable be prose- 
cuted, such warrant, on cause shown, may be taken from him, and transferred to 
another. 

Tenants or persons having charge of lands, and tenements and their chattels, are 
liable for taxes imposed on such lands; and on payment, may deduct the amount from 
their rent, or recover it by suit, where no contract prevents ; and when the tax is on 
unimproved or untenanted land, or the tenant is unable to pay, the tax may be 
levied by the constable on the warrant of a justice, at the instance of the collector, 
by sale of timber, wood, herbage, or other vendible property of the owner, on the 
premises. 

The justices, constables and township collectors, render to the township commit- 
tee, when required, an account of the monies they or any of them may have re- 
ceived on any assessment, and not paid to the county collector, and must pay to such 
committee, on demand, such monies; and in default, are liable to suit by the clerk 
of the township, in the name of the inhabitants thereof. 

Due provision is made for the compensation of the respective township and county 
officers, for enforcing performance of their duties by proper sanctions, and for levy- 
ing monies becoming due from them by virtue of their official stations. 

Another prominent use made of the township and county division, is in the system 
for the maintenance of the poor. 

The provisions for this purpose, like the political subdivisions themselves, have, 
In their principal features, been copied from Great Britain. The wisdom of this 
system is less than equivocal, but the genius of legislation has not yet been able to 
substitute a better. Each township, or precinct, is required to maintain the poor 
settled within it. A settlement is gained by the acquisition of a freehold estate of 
fifty pounds value, and residence of a year; apprenticeship, or servitude by inden- 
ture, for a year; residence of one year by a mariner, or a person arriving directly 
from Europe; and such residence and notice to the overseer, recorded by the town 
clerk, in case of other persons. From these provisions are excepted servants pro- 
cured from gaols and hospitals in other states. Bastard children have the settlement 
of the mothers. Penalties are inflicted upon such inhabitants as receive into their 
houses, vagabonds, vagrants, sturdy beggars, and idle strolling aad disorderly per- 



'i*- 



60 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

sons ; and they are liable to maintain such wanderers, and to pay the expenses of 
their funerals in case of death. A person may remove from one precinct to another, 
bearing the certificate of tlie overseers of the poor of the precinct in which he has 
a settlement, attested and allowed by two justices of the peace, declaring such set- 
tlement, and delivering such certificate to the overseers of the district into which 
he shall remove. But such person, becoming chargeable, may be returned to his 
place of settlement ; residence under the certificate not giving settlement ; and ex- 
penses incurred by the township for maintenance, reliefer burial of such resident, 
must be paid by the precinct in which he has a legal settlement. 

Relief is granted to paupers, on the order of a justice, at the application of the 
overseers; the order fixing tlie amount, and serving as the voucher for expenditure. 
And, as a check upon the overseers, they are required to register the name and de- 
scription of the pauper, and such order, in the township book, together with the 
account of monies received or disbursed for the use of the poor, and registry of 
transactions of their office, and to lay such book before the inhabitants in town 
meeting. 

Before relief granted, the goods of the applicant are to be inventoried, and in case 
of death, sold; and the proceeds applied to reimburse the expenditure for the pauper. 
Poor children, who have no parents, or whose parents are applicants for relief, 
and children of paupers brought up in sloth and ignorance, maj', by the overseers, 
with the assistance and application of two justices, be bound apprentices for such 
number of years as they may think proper, males until 21, and females until 18 years; 
inserting in the indenture, a clause binding the master to cause such apprentice to 
be instructed to read and write. And the overseers and justices continue the guar- 
dians of the apprentice. 

Where the father deserts his family, or a widow her children, leaving them a 
public charge, and leaving estate, real or personal, such estate may be taken by the J 
overseers, upon the warrant of two justices, and the rents of the land, and the pro- 
ceeds of the sale of the chattels, applied to the maintenance of the deserted family. 
The overseers, with the assent of the town meeting, may purchase or rent a 
workhouse, in which to employ and maintain the poor of the precinct, applying the 
proceeds of their labour to the poor fund ; and suck house may be erected by two 
or more townships conjointly. Or the overseers of the township may contract with 
the overseers of any other place, for the maintenance and employment of the poor 
of such other place ; or the chosen freeholders of the county may purchase or build 
a poorhouse for the whole county. Persons claiming relief and refusing to be lodged, 
kept to work, and maintained in such house, are rejected. 

When the overseers have reason to believe, that any person not having a settle- 
ment in their precinct is, or is likely to become, chargeable, they may bring him, by, 
warrant from two justices, directed to and served by the constable, before such ma- 
gistrates, who shall examine such person on oath touching his last place of settle- 
ment, and direct him to remove thither by a staled time ; and on his neglect or re- 
fusal to comply with such order, may issue their warrant to the constable, command- 
ing him to convey such person to the constable of the next precinct; and so, from 
precinct to precinct, until he reach the place of his legal settlement. And in case 
such person return to the place from which he was removed, and does not depart 
therefrom, within 24 hours after notice given, such person, if male, is liable, on 
the order of a magistrate, to receive fifteen lashes; if female, in the discretion of ] 
the magistrate, to be sent away again, or committed to close confinement, and fed, at 
the expense of the township, on bread and water only ; and both to be sent back to 
the place to which they may have been first ordered. But if any person complained 
of, as a pauper, give bond with two sufficient sureties, conditioned to indemnify the 
precinct against the charge of his maintenance, he shall not be removed. , 

The overseers of the township, to which such pauper shall be legally removed, 
are required to receive him, under penalty of five pounds, on conviction of refusal, 
before a justice, to the use of the place from which the removal was made. An ap- 
peal from the order of removal lies by the pauper, or other person aggrieved, to th6 
sessions. 

An idle vagrant, vagabond, or beggar, strolling and begging through the country, 
may be apprehended by the constable, or any inhabitant, and carried before a jus- 
tice, who is required to examine him on oath; and if it appear that he have a set- 
tlement, to grant a warrant for removal as abovementioned, but if he have no set- 
tlement in the State, then to direct by such warrant that he be conveyed back by i 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 61 

every precinct tlirough which he had wandered, until he be transported out of the 
State : and such vagrant returning into the State, is liable to punishment by whip- 
ping. These provisions respecting the removal of indigent persons, though in 
force, are not often executed. 

The fund for maintenance of the poor is augmented by fines imposed for breach 
of the laws, and by the personal estates of such persons as may die intestate, with- 
out any representative. The pauper may sue without costs, and have counsel ap- 
pointed him by the court, who shall conduct his cause without fee or reward. 
Authority is given to the respective townships to raise, as for other township 
purposes, such sum of money as may be deemed proper for the education of pauper 
children and children of paupers. 

The father and grandftvther, mother and grandmother, child and grandchild, when 
competent, are liable to maintain the pauper. 

A third essential benefit, promoted by the territorial subdivision of townships and 
counties, is the formation and preservation of roads. The common roads of the 
country are either public or private. When ten or more freeholders deem a new 
public road necessary, or one existing, unnecessary or proper to be altered, they may 
by petition, after giving ten days public notice in the townships through which the 
road is intended to pass, obtain from the court of Common Pleas the appointment of 
six surveyors of the highways, liaving regard to those of the township in which the 
road lies or is to be made. When the road is to be on the county line, the applica- 
tion must be made to, and the surveyors appointed by, the Supreme Court, three 
being taken from each county. The surveyors, after a prescribed notice has been 
given, meet and view the road or ground proposed for the road, and lay out, vacate 
or alter it, as the case may require ; and return a map thereof, with the time when 
the same may be opened, to the clerk of the Common Pleas, or to the clerk of the 
Supreme Court, as the case may be, who records the return, and the road so laid out 
and opened becomes, or if vacated ceases to be, a public highway ; unless a caveat be 
entered thereto within fifteen days, which operates as a supersedeas of proceedino's 
until the succeeding court. 

Upon the complaint of any one alleging himself aggrieved, the court will appoint 
six of the chosen freeholders of the county, who, after due notice as prescribed by 
law, also view the road proposed to be made, vacated or altered, and concurring in 
report with the surveyors, it is definitively confirmed, so that no further proceedings 
may be had thereon for one year. But, if their report differ from that of the sur- 
veyors, the latter becomes void, and the road or alteration may be again applied for 
under a year. If no caveat have been entered, or the person entering it do not pro- 
secute it according to law, or the freeholders make no unfavourable report, or be 
equally divided in their opinions, the proceedings of the surveyers become valid. If 
the application for review be in Cape May county, and the proposed or actual road 
run through lands of any of the chosen freeholders, one or more justices of the peace 
may be appointed on the review. And where the application relative to the road is 
in the Supreme Court, three such freeholders from each county are appointed to re- 
view, and like proceedings are had in regard to their report, as in the former case. 
Any neglect of the ofiicers in regard to these proceedings, is punishable by a fine of 
sixteen dollars, to the use of the prosecutor. Four of the surveyors or freeholders, 
where the road proposed to be made or altered is in one county, and two from each 
of the counties, where there are more than one, are necessary to, and sufficient for, 
the return. 

The proceedings for making, vacating, or altering private roads, are similar in 
most respects, to those in the case of public ones. Such roads, however, are made 
and preserved at the expense of those interested in them, who may hang gates 
thereon, which are protected by a penalty against those injuring them. By-roads, 
if shut up, may be laid out by three of the chosen freeholders, and remain as private 
roads until vacated, or altered in the manner abovementioned. 

For the purpose of making or repairing roads, the township committee assign, in 
writing to the overseers of the roads respectively, their several limits of tlie high- 
ways within the township. And it is the duty of such overseers to provide la- 
bourers, animals, implements and materials for the work, and to erect such bridges 
as can be built by common labourers ; the monies for which are raised by order of 
the town meeting, as in other cases of township expense, and the overseer accounts 
with the town meeting. 

If the township be fined upon the presentment of the grand jury, or information 



62 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

of attorney general, for the bad condition of the roads, the overseer within whose 
limits the cause arose, is responsible therefor with costs, or he may be proceeded 
against in the first instance. Tlie road ta.x payable by any individual, may be paid 
in labour on the road by himself or substitute; and the roads over mill-dams are to 
be kept in good and safe condition by the owners of the mills respectively, so long 
as they shall be uplield. 

The town meeting may determine whether the highways shall be maintained by 
hire or by labour. But if the resolution be to maintain the roads by labour, the 
township committee divide tlie higliways, in their townsliip, into convenient districts, 
and assign the inhabitants to them, in equitable proportions. And whatever mode 
be thus adopted, must be continued for three years. Inhabitants who neglect to 
perform their quota of work, are each finable one dollar per day, for absence them- 
selves ; one dollar and a half for a horse and cart, and two dollars for wagon or cart 
with two horses or oxen, which have been warned out and shall be absent. If the 
township vote to maintain the roads by hire, but do not supply the money therefor, 
the overseers must resort to the labour system. If the overseer neglect his duty, he 
is liable to an action, and the magistrate on complaint of three freeholders, may issue 
his precept against overseer, and on conviction, fine him any sum not over twenty, 
nor under five dollars. The board of freeholders is authorized, at the county's ex- 
pense, to erect guide posts and mile stones, where they may deem expedient. 

When bridges are required in a township, or between two townships, they are 
built at the county expense, and if between two counties, at their joint expense. 
Where the cost does not exceed thirty dollars, the overseer and chosen freeholders 
of the township, are competent to order its execution; where the cost does not ex- 
ceed one hundred and fifty dollars, the approbation of the overseers of the townsliip, 
and of the chosen freeholders of that, and of the two adjacent townships, are neces- 
sary ; and where the expense will exceed one hundred and fifty dollars, the assent 
of the overseers of the highway, and of the board of chosen freeholders of the county, 
is required. 

In addition to his services as register of the proceedings of the Circuit Courts, the 
Court of Sessions and Common Pleas, the county clerk performs many other execu- 
tive duties. We have already noticed his ministry in general elections. He is the 
recorder of deeds, mortgages, and other conveyances of lands in his county, and re- 
gister of marriages returned to him by justices of the peace and ministersof the 
gospel ; the receiver of monies for tavern licenses, which he pays over to the county 
freeholders; and is the depository of the dockets of the justices of his county, after 
their deaths. He is forbidden to act as surrogate, or practice as an attorney, within 
his county. 

The township clerk records the proceedings of the town meetings, registers es- 
trays, and receives for the use of the township its share of money produced by the 
sale of unclaimed beasts impounded, for damage feasance; and registers all births 
and deaths in his township duly communicated to him. 

The present militia system of the State, is founded on the act of 18th February, 
1815, and the supplements of 1818, 1819, and 1830 ; which require, that every free 
able bodied white male inhabitant, of the age of 18, and under 4.5, years, shrill be en- 
rolled by the commanding officer of the company withiri whose bounds he may reside. , 
Prom this requisition are exempted, ministers of the gospel; the vice president of 
the United States; the officers, judicial and executive, of the government of the 
United States; the judges of the Supreme Court of this State; the members of both 
houses of congress, and their respective officers; all custom house officers, with 
their clerks; all post officers and stage drivers employed in the transit of the mail; 
ferrymen; inspectors of exports ; pilots; mariners actually employed in the sea ser- ■ 
vice of any merchant within the United States; all students of divinity and students ■ 
of the two colleges in this State, except in cases of actual invasion ; and persons who. 
shall have served ten years in any uniform corps of the State; and, at the discretion 
of the brigade board, an officer who has held a commission for one year in the army 
of the United States, or under the authority of any one of the States, and any sol- 
dier who may have faithfully served 18 months in the late war. 

A brigade is formed in each county, except Cape May; in that, there is an inde- 
pendent regiment, under the command of a lieutenant colonel, whose field officers 
form a regimental board, with the power of a brigade board, in many particulars. 
The brigades are formed into four divisions, of which those of Burlington, Glouces- 
ter, Salem and Cumberland, with the Cape May regiment, make the first ; those of 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 63 

Bergen, Essex, and Morris, the second; those of Somerset, Middlesex, and Mon- 
mouth, the third; and those of Hunterdon and Sussex, the fourth. 

The governor is commander in chief. There is a general staff, of whicli he ap- 
points his four aids-de-camp, with the ranli of lieutenant colonel; one quartermas- 
ter and one adjutant general, witli the rank of brigadier; and, when the service 
may require it, one deputy adjutant, and one deputy quartermaster general, to each 
brigade or division, with rank of lieutenant colonel. To each division there is one 
major general, and two aids-de-camp appointed by him, with the rank of major; to 
each brigade, one brigadier general, with a brigade inspector, acting also as bricrade 
major, one aid-de-canip taken from the line, appointed by the general, judge advo- 
cate, paymaster and quartermaster ; to each regiment, one colonel ; to each battalion 
or squadron, one major; to each company of infantry, light infantry and grenadiers, 
one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, 
and one fifer ; to each troop of horse, one captain, two lieutenants, one cornet, four 
sergeants, four corporals, one saddler, one farrier, one trumpeter, and the foot and 
cavalry companies contain not more than 64, nor less than 40, privates. Compa- 
nies of horse can be raised only by permission of the commander in chief. To each 
company of artillery there are a captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, four cor- 
' . porals, one drummer, one fifer, not more than six, nor less than three, gunners and 
bombardiers, nor morq than 62, nor less than 15, matrosses. The regimental staff 
consists of one adjutant and quartermaster, ranking as lieutenants, taken from the 
subalterns of the regiment, a paymaster to each battalion ; a surgeon, surgeon's 
mate, chaplain, sergeant major, drum major, fife major, and quartermaster sergeant; 
all of whom, except the paymasters, are appointed by the field officers. To each 
company of rifleznen there belong a captain, three lieutenants, four sergeants, four 

■ corporals, and drummer, fifer, or bugler. Such companies are attached to the bat- 
talion in whose bounds a majority of the members reside. To each troop of horse 
artillery, there are a captain, four lieutenants, one quartermaster sergeant, four ser- 
geants, four corporals, one saddler, one farrier, one bugler, one trumpeter, and not 

■ more than 100, nor less than 40, privates. 

All officers take rank from the date of their commissions, except when they are of 
the same date, and then by lot. The captains, and all other inferior officers of the 
militia, are chosen by the companies ; but field and general officers by the council 
and assembly, and all are commissioned by the governor. Tlie brigade and regi- 
mental staff officers, are commissioned by him on certificates of their appointment by 
• the officers making them ; non-commissioned officers and musicians, are appointed 
by the captains and subalterns. The uniform is that worn by officers of the United 
States. 

The commanding officers of each regiment, independent battalion, and squadron, 
are required to convene their respective officers twice a year; and at one of such 
meetings, the orderly sergeants; and at the meeting not attended by the non-com- 
. missioned officers, may direct the attendance of one of the companies under their 
command, for the purpose of military improvement. The attendance of such com- 
pany is in lieu of company training, and absence is punishable as in other cases of 
neglect of military service. And the non-commissioned officers attending such drill, 
is entitled to fifty cents per day. 

The militia meet three times, annually, for improvement in discipline and martial 
'exercise ; once by companies or troops, on the 3d Monday in April ; once by batta- 
. . lit)n or squadron, and once by regiment or independent battalion. The fine for non- 
attendance on days of exercise, absence from roll call, or leaving parade without 
•permission, is, on a field officer, eight dollars ; every other commissioned officer, 
four dollars; on every non-commissioned officer and private, two dollars per day; 
■ and for appearance on parade without appropriate arms, fifty cents, where the soldier 
,» is able to provide them. When called into active service, every militiaman must 
appear fully equipped, with every article required by act of congress, under penalty, 
if an officer, of ten dollars; and if a private, two dollars. No militiaman having a 
substitute in actual service, is thereby excused from duty on parade days. But no 
militiaman is finable more than two dollars in one year, for neglect of duty, if he 
have attained thirty-five years; provided, that when he shall attend at any one of the 
days required by law, and perform military duty, he shall be fined one dollar for 
every other day's absence therefrom. And when the brigade board shall disband 
any company, its officers may be exempted from military duty. 

Delinquents are marked at roll call by the orderly sergeant, and reported to the 



64 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

company court, composed of the officers of the company or troop, of which the of- 
ficer first in rank is president. Such court is empowered, to hear and decide on, 
the excuse of delinquents reported, and the president is required to make return 
within ten days, to the commanding otticer of the battalion, of all delinquents, and 
the sum imposed on each. The battalion court of appeal, consists of the command- 
ing officer of the battalion, the surgeon, or surgeon's mate, and the senior captain, 
or, in his default, of the captain next in rank ; and is empowered to hear excuses on 
appeal, and to remit fines ; and in case of permanent inability, by certificate, to dis- 
charge from military duty. The president of this court, makes returns of delin- 
quents and the fines imposed, to the battalion and brigade paymasters. Failure to 
attend such court by its members, or the president to make return, is punishable, in 
the first case, by a fine often, and in the second, by a fine not exceeding thirty, nor 
less than fifteen, dollars. 

The battalion paymaster, on receipt of the return, and such fines as may have 
been collected by the battalion commandant, after efltbrts to collect, and after the 
first Monday in September, delivers the list of delinquents to a justice of the peace, 
who issues execution against them, as in case of taxation; the constable being re- 
quired to levy the same on the goods of the delinquent, or in default of goods, to 
commit him to prison, until payment, t&c. But the brigade board, or any three of 
them, may discharge delinquent unable to pay. If, upon levy and sale, there be a 
balance in the hands of the constable which the delinquent will not receive, he pays 
it to the paymaster of the battalion, to be accounted for in his settlement with the 
brigade board, and certifies the same to the judge advocate, or brigade board. 
The fines and penalties imposed on minors, are payable by the parent, guardian, or 
master. 

The battalion paymaster returns to the brigade board the list of delinquent com- 
missioned officers certified by the orderly; keeps a journal of their proceedings; an 
account of fines and the modes of their payment, whether voluntary or involuntary, 
and of such as may not be recovered, with the reason thereof; all which is submitted 
to the brigade board. The battalion and brigade paymasters are appointed by such 
board, and give bond with sureties, the first in five hundred, and the second in two 
thousand dollars, conditioned for the faithful performance of their duties ; to which 
effect, they, also, make oath before the county clerk. The brigade paymaster re- 
ceives all vouchers and returns, and keeps distinct accounts of the monies arising 
from fines and forfeitures in the several regiments and battalions in the brigade, and 
of monies received and paid by him, subject to the examination of the brigade board ; 
collects the fines imposed by the board on delinquent officers, and, in case of non- 
payment for sixty days, puts the list into the hands of a justice of the peace, which 
is then proceeded upon as above stated. 

The brigade board is composed of the brigadier general, brigade major and, 
commandants of regiments, independent battalions, and squadrons of the re- 
spective brigades ; a majority of whom form a quorum, meeting annually on the 
third Monday in December, at a place of their own appointment, within the brigade. 
The officer of first grade and seniority presides, and the board has power: To com- 
pel the attendance of its members by fine, not exceeding twenty dollars — to ar- 
range the regiments, battalions, squadrons, troops, and companies, as they may 
deem expedient — to authorize the formation of new uniform companies, and to at- 
tach them to such battalion or regiment as they may deem proper — to draw orders 
on the brigade paymaster for lawful expenses — to make a reasonable compensation ' 
to the brigade and battalion paymasters for their services; adjust their accounts, re- 
move them in case of malfeasance, and to appoint a successor who in case of bri-. 
gade paymaster shall prosecute his predecessor for monies of the brigade in his 
hands — and also the battalion paymasters who may be in arrears — to allow adju- 
tants for extra services — to compensate brigade judge advocates — to assess fines on ^ 
delinquent officers, returned by the brigade major or battalion paymaster — to pre-"- 
serve order at their meetings by imposition of fines not exceeding ten dollars, upon 
transgressors, and to erect a covering for the protection of field artillery — to keep 
an account of all sums by them received from their several battalion paymasters, and 
disbursements, with an account of the expenses of the militia system, and the ap- 
propriations made for arms, &c. — and make reports thereof, annually, to the legis- 
lature. 

The judge advocate is appointed by the brigade board, of which he is tt officio 
clerk, and is required to attend its meetings and record its proceedings 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 65 

veSco',1"'";! g^"^'-^',f.'^t"butes all orders of the commander in chief, to the se- 
HetThll public reviews If required, when the commander in chief re- 

views the troops,-obeys all orders from him, executing or perfecting the militarv 
sys em established by law,-furnishes blank forms of the" different efurns 7m 
by the commander in chief,-receives from the several officers returns of il militia 
Tc from'vliTT"'' 'T^'^' with reports of the state of the arms, ammuStiot 
c^c. irom vvh cli he reports proper abstracts to the commander in chief who lavs 

out 1 v?h '' ''J P'o^^^^dings relative to the details of the military force ordered 

United S? T'"'"' '' "' f -"^ "P°" requisitions of the president or Congress of the 
of electing .'r' II! "^'"^ f "''''''°"? °' °'^'''' ^'"e'-gency-Records all certificates 
]L1Z . yf ""f ^"^ commissioned by the commander in chief-and lavs 

d ed dn^r '/"."^ '^' '''^^'' ^^'' legislature, who appropriate, annually, one hun- 
ared dollars for his services. ^^ r , j, nuu 

meIl!L^.Tih '"'P'f.*°''^ ^"^""^ the brigade, regimental and independent battalion 
betn " fnd/r '" / ^°'"P°f'".g tbeir several brigades, during the time of their 
• W /'"/'u*" '"'J'""* "'"''■ ^'""^^' *-^'=— makes returns, annually, to the ad- 

jutant general of the militia of his brigade, reporting particularly the name of the 
rev,ew,ng officer, the state of the arms, &c. and ev^r^ thing which, in his judg! 
Ttv ' Zl,T" ^""'^ "■^''" ""'! ""''^"-^ discipline. H: receives for ordinar^y 
board I 7v%i ..r""' P';."""r'' '"'' ^'' '""''^ '"'"'y' ^"'^^ '-allowance as the brigade 
forfeit 7nfK' ' /' f "''•'""' *° "" ^"" °^ ^^''y '^°"^'-^ ^°' nialfeasance, and the 
tanVir. °f i"''^'^"""^^! «^l^^y- ""less be produce the acknowledgment of the adju- 

Woffi er • /' '''"'"" ^" '^' '^'""'^ °^ '^'' ^'''^'■^' inspector, the command- 

ing officer appoints some one to perform his duties. 

bafTZr^^wv^'f '7°'^ ^^'/" acceptance of office to the commanding officer of the 

delmed ^ofd R " 7" ^^''' ""'J'" "^ '^'''' ^^^^t'«"' ^^^erwise the election is 

aeemed void. Resignations are made to the brigade commander; and where vacan- 

rec s hf, r '" '! company, by death, removal or resignation, such commander di- 

canc battalion commandant, to hold an election to supply the va. 

inJ^.T"*' ^"™"*^'^ i"/ uniform company are, upon the certificate of the command- 
o^Ln nn/-', ^''''T "'" f^"'''^ '" *^^ ""^'^''^ = l^"t ^"'^'^ certificate may not be 

upon the officeT ^^''°"' appeared in uniform, under penalty of ten dollars 

i\Jt^ "^■'°'^ are charged with organizing the several companies under their respec- 
tive commands. Where the militiamen of any company or district, fail to choose offi- 
cers, tne major may appoint a sergeant, to take command of the company until nro- 
per officers are duly qualified; and to constitute his company court, such sergeant 
may appoint persons from the list of the company, who may elect one of their num- 
ner president. 

No officer or private, on his way to, or return from, militia service, may be 
Charged toll or ferriage, and refusal to permit his passage is punishable by fine of 
eight do lars; nor can he be arrested on civil process on any legal day for training 
nor can his arms, &c. be levied on and sold under execution. '' ^' 

The commander in chief may, in case of invasion or other emergency, order out 
any proportion of the militia of the State, to march to any part thereof, and conti- 
nue so long as he may think necessary, not exceeding two months. In such case 
substitutes may be received for any person called on to do a tour of duty but no 
substitute IS admissible at ordinary training, under penalty on the officer' of ten 
dollars. Plorses of militiamen, taken into service, are registered and appraised 
and their value paid to the owner, in case the horse be killed or taken by the ene- 
my. The accounts of the quartermaster, for rations or ammunition, must be ap 
proved by the commanding officer of the regiment or independent battaUon and bv 
the governor, before payment at the treasury. ^ 

Courts martial are appointed, for the trial of officers above the rank of field offi 
cers, by the commander in chief,— for field officers, by the mnjor generals in their 
respective divisions,— for captains and subaltern commissioned officers by the bri 
gadier generals, each in his own brigade. And the commandant of reo-iments and 
independent battalions may institute a regimental court marti:il wheneve" they shall 
hnd it necessary. Officers appointing such court must, in all cases, approve or dis- 
approve its sentence, and may mitigate or remit the punishment, except where the 



66 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

offence is of a personal nature, when the sentence is conclusive. And such officer 
may, in case of emergency, appoint a judge advocate, pro tempore. 

The regimental court martial is composed of five members, the president of whom 
shall not be under the rank of captain. The general court martial consists of thir- 
teen commissioned officers, not under the rank of captain, the senior of whom is 
president. The concurrence of two-thirds of the court is necessary, in every sen- 
tence for inflicting punishment; and each member, with the judge advocate, swears 
to determine the case according to the evidence, that he will not divulge the sen- 
tence until it have been approved or disapproved ; and will at no time, discover the 
vote or opinion of any member, unless required to give evidence thereof in a court 

° Thee^xpense of a court martial, trying an officer of the general staff, is payable 
from militia fines in the State treasury ; trying an officer above the grade of major, 
by the paymaster of the brigade ;. trying a major, or inferior officer, by the battalion 
paymaster. Members of courts martial receive $ 1 50 per day, and witnesses fifty 
cents — payable on certificates of the judge advocate. 

Commissioned officers guilty of unofficer-like conduct, may be cashiered by the 
court, or punished by fine, not exceeding fifty dollars. The commanding officer of 
a regiment, battalion, or squadron, failing to give orders for assembling his command, 
as directed by his brigadier, or in case of invasion, may be cashiered, and punished 
by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars: and a commissioned officer of a com- 
pany, guilty of like offence, under the orders of the commandant of the regiment, 
&c.,'is^subject to like punishment; and a non-commissioned officer, to a fine not 
exceedincr thirty dollars. The commanding officer of a company, &c., failing to 
return a Tist of persons, notified to perform a tour of duty, to the colonel, &c., may 
be cashiered, or fined in a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars. 

Non-commissioned officers, or privates, appearing drunk upon parade, disobeying 
orders, using reproachful or abusive language to officers, quarrelling or promoting 
quarrels among fellow-soldiers, may be disarmed and put under arrest, until the 
company be dismissed, and be fined by court martial, not exceeding eight dollars. A 
militiaman deserting whilst on a tour of duty, may be fined not exceeding one hun- 
dred dollars, and imprisoned not more than two months; and if a non-commissioned 
officer, shall be degraded to the ranks. Non-commissioned officer, or private, 
bringing on parade, or discharging, within a mile thereof, any loaded fire arms, on 
the day assigned for improvement or inspection, without permission from a commis- 
sioned officer, is subject to a fine of one dollar. 

When ordered out for improvement or inspection, the militia are under military 
discipline, from the rising to the setting of the sun, and none, during such time, 
may be arrested on civil process : on days of exercise they may be detained under 
arms, on duty, in the field, six hours; but not more than three hours without time 
being allowed to refresh themselves. The retailing of spirituous liquors, on, or 
within a mile of the parade, is prohibited under a penalty of forfeiture of such 
liquors. The rules of discipline are such as may be established by Congress for dis- 
ciplining the regular troops of the United States. 

By-standers at any muster, molesting or insulting, by abusive words or behaviour, 
any officer or soldier, while on duty, may be put under guard, and kept at the discretion 
of the commanding officer, until sundown; and if guilty of like misconduct, before a 
court martial, may be fined not exceeding twenty dollars, and costs of prosecution. 

Fines imposed by courts martial, are certified by the judge advocate to the brigade 
board, and are collected by the brigade paymaster, in the manner above directed. 
The surplus money in the hands of the brigade paymaster, is appropriated to the 
purchase of arms, accoutrements, colours, instruments of music, and the preserva- 
tion of arms (the arms being subject to the order of the commander in chief, in case 
of invasion, insurrection, or war). And the judge advocate is required, after the 
annual meeting of the brigade board, to transmit to the adjutant general, a statement 
of the disbursements, and arms, &c., to be laid by him before the legislature. The 
commandants of regiments, independent battalions, and squadrons, account to the 
brigade board for the monies received by them for teaching music, and other pur- 
poses. , 
The commander in chief, or of brigade, when the militia may be called into actual 
service, may receive uniform companies from any brigade in the State as volunteers, 
who having served their tour, are exempted from draft, until their battalions, regi- 
ment, or brigade shall have performed like service ; and their brigade is accredited 



I 



EXECUTIVE POWER. 67 

for the number so volunteering, Due authority is given to the commander in 
chief for organizing companies on the sea-board when necessary for its protection: 
and he may furnish any uniform company with arms, the property of the State ; the 
officers giving bond for keeping them in repair, and returning them when required. 
Uniform companies are attached to the battalion within the bounds of which a major- 
ity of the company resides- 

Any person desirous to be exempt from militia duty, is required, on or before 
the first of April, annually, to report himself to the commanding officer of the com- 
pany, in the bounds of which he may reside. Such officer returns the list of exempts 
to the township collector, on or before the twentieth of June, annually, who taxes 
each, the sum of five dollars, in addition to his other taxes; designating it in his 
duplicate, delivered to the townsliip collector; and he, also, furnishes the collector 
of the county, on or before the first of December, annually, two certified abstracts 
of the names of such exempts. The township collector pays to the county collector, 
such taxes, and his certificate of the death, insolvency, or absconding of the exempt, 
is a sufficient voucher against the tax ; and the county collector pays to the State 
treasurer, the exempt taxes, with other State taxes, and the treasurer carries them 
to the credit of the school fund. 

The commanders of the respective companies enrol all persons within their 
bounds liable to perform militia duty, not returned as exempts, and fine them for 
non-attendance on days of parade, according to law, under the penalty of thirty 
dollars for omission. But exempts rnay be classed as enrolled militia when called 
into actual service. And due provision is made by law for classifyng the militia for 
actual service when required. 

The following is the state of the militia, apparent from the last return of the ad- 
jutant general, viz: Commander in chief, 4 aids-decamp; 1 quartermaster general, 
4 deputies ; 1 adjutant general, 4 deputies; 4 major generals, each having two aids ; 
13 brigades and brigadiers, and the independent battalion of Cape May county. 

Brigade Staff, consisting of 13 brigade majors and one adjutant, 13 paymas- 
ters, 11 quartermasters, 6 surgeons, 13 judges advocate. 

Cavalrv : — 1 brigadier general, 4 colonels, 9 majors, 31 captains, 63 lieutenants, 
25 cornets, 86 sergeants, 73 corporals, 11 saddlers, 10 farriers, 36 trumpeters, and 
1673 privates, making an aggregate of 1810. Cavalry arms : sabres 734, pairs of 
pistols 609, holsters 733, cartridges 376, cartridge-boxes 359, horses, saddles, and 
bridles, each, 963. 

Artillery: — 30 captains, 54 lieutenants, 93 sergeants, 75 corporals, 40 bombar- 
'.diers, 68 gunners, 36 drummers, 25 fifers, 1802 privates, — total 1886. Ordnance 
apparatus and equipments: 18 six pounders, 8 four pounders, 1 two pounder,! 
swivel, 18 tumbrels and wagons, 25 ramrods and screws, 16 port-fire stocks, 33 
dragropes, 14 handspikes, 159 muskets, 19 bayonets, S29 swords, 39 cartouche 
boxes, 23 powder horns and wires, and 43 knapsacks. 

Rifle Corps : — 17 captains, 44 lieutenants, 48 sergeants, 16 corporals, 22 drum- 
mers, 16 fifers, 12 buglers, 1052 privates, — total 1115. Jlrms and equipments : 54 
ewords, 336 rifles, 132 fusees, 117 muskets, 17 powder horns and pouches. 

Infantry: — Colonels 47, majors 96, adjutants 58, paymasters 98, quartermasters 
48, surgeons 47, surgeon's mates 37, drum majors 20, fife majors 21, sergeant- 
majors 33, captains 406, lieutenants 397, ensigns 327, sergeants 1065, corporals 
664, drummers 329, fifers 263, privates 28,882,— aggregate 30,456. Arms and 
equipments: swords 796, espontoons 57, muskets 8268, bayonets 3565, iron ram 
rods 5084, firelocks, other than muskets, 3373, cartridge boxes 1293. 



68 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION 



RECAPITULATION. 





<D 


<u 
















4-> 


c 
















■3 


^ 










aJ 


c 




^-ki 


<u aj 










'S 







<V cd 


-« 










e3 






S an 












bo 


'> 


COUNTIES. 


^ , 

S I- 












P3 




Q 















d 


ri 




■« r-K 


3 T3 










UJ 


0} 




c 






b 

^ 


03 


6 


13 


.2 

3 









rf 


fH 

















Q 





<: 


s 


1— 1 


H 


H 


Burlington, 






46 


44 




3288 


3378 




Gloucester, 






37 


81 




1948 


2066 




Salem, 






88 


152 


120 


1508 


1868 




Cumberland, 






45 


187 




1746 


1978 




Cape May, 








124 




424 


548— 


9838 


Bergen, 






93 


153 


21 


2074 


2341 




Essex, 






250 


422 


51 


4283 


5006 




Morris, 






155 


123 


227 


23C9 


2874— 


10,221 


Middlesex, 






238 


93 


37 


1443 


1811 




Monmouth, 






124 


50 


213 


3292 


3679 




Somerset, - 






158 


107 


93 


1304 


1662— 


7152 


Hunterdon, 






327 






2584 


2911 




Warren, 






77 


198 


142 


1883 


2300 




Sussex, 






172 


152 


211 


2310 


2845— 


8056 


Grand total 


15 


78 


1810 


1886 


1115 


30,456 


35,267 


35,267 



III. The judiciary, as established under the colonial government, was recognised 
by the constitution, in the general clause continuing the laws existing at the time of 
its adoption, and in that, limiting the tenure of office of the judges. Some modifi- 
cations and enlargement of jurisdiction have, however, since been made ; and the 
judiciary power is now vested in a Court of Appeals, Court of Chancery, Supreme , 
and Circuit Courts, Courts of Oyer and Terminer, and General Jail Delivery: 
Courts of Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions and Orphan's Court, and Courts for the. , 
trial of small causes, holden by Justices of the Peace. These institutions will be 
best viewed, passing from those of the lowest to those of the highest order ; and at- 
tempting an outline of the constitution of each. 

The courts for the trial of small causes or Justices' Courts, now depend upon the 
act of 12th of February, 1818, and its supplements. By these, every suit of a 
civil nature, at law, including suits for penalties, where the matter in dispute does 
not exceed the value of one hundred dollars, is cognizable before a justice of the 
peace of any county, who holds a court of record, endowed with the usual pow- 
ers of such courts. From this jurisdiction, however, are excepted, actions of re; 
plevin, slander, trespass for assault, battery, or imprisonment, and actions whereiii 
the title to real estate may come in question. The territorial jurisdiction of the jus- 
tice is coextensive with his county, and his process is confined to it, except in the 
case of the subpana ad testificandum, which may run into other counties. The con- 
stables of the several townships of the county are the ministerial officers of the court, 
who execute its process, tested on the day it is issued, and signed and sealed, by the 
justice. 

The initiatory process is summons or warrant. The first is required when the de- 
fendant is a freeholder, and resident of the county where issued, and in cases where 
defendant cannot be held to bail; and may be used on all occasions, at the election 
of plaintiff; the warrant may issue against persons not freeholders, or against free- 
holders about to abscond from the county. The summons is returnable in not less 
than five, nor more than fifteen days from its date ; and must be served at least five 
days before the day given therein for appearance, personally, upon the defendant. 



JUDICIARY. 69 

or by a copy left at his dwelling. The warrant is returnable forthwith. Upon ar- 
rest the defendant either gives bond, with freehold surety, to the constable for hia 
appearance at a stated day, not more than eight from the service, or is carried be- 
fore the justice, where he enters into recognisance with like security, conditioned 
for his appearance, or is committed to prison to await the time of hearing, which 
must not be more than three days from the return of the warrant ; or he is held by 
the constable, until the plaintiff be notified and have time to proceed to trial. 

The amount of the sum demanded is endorsed upon the writ, with the costs, and 
may be paid to the constable in full discharge of the debt and arrest. 

On the appearance of the parties, the trial is had, or the hearing is adjourned, 
by the justice himself, or on cause shown by either party, not longer than fifteen days : 
but if the defendant do not appear, judgment may be rendered by default; and by 
consent of parties may be entered, without process, for any sum within the juris- 
diction of the justice. 

After appearance of defendant, and plea entered, and before inquiry into the me- 
rits of the cause by the justice, either party may demand a trial by jury; upon 
which, where the sum claimed does not exceed sixteen dollars, six jurymen, and 
where over sixteen dollars, twelve jurymen may be summoned. The costs of the 
jury of twelve, when finding for the applicant, above five, and not exceeding twenty- 
five dollars, are paid, in part by him ; but if finding for him, five dollars, or under, 
then the whole costs are paid by the applicant; the costs of the jury of six, finding 
in favour of the applicant, under five dollars, are wholly payable by him. 

By consent, and at request of the parties, the justice may enter rules of refer- 
ence of the matters in difference to such persons as shall be nominated by the par- 
ties. 

Upon judgment rendered before the justice, no execution can issue against a fe- 
male, when the debt is under two dollars. Where the debtor is a freeholder, and 
when sued by summons, he is to be taken as such, unless the presumption be dis- 
proved, or when a sufficient freeholder of the county shall join with him in confes- 
sion of judgment to the adverse party, stay of execution may be had, where the 
judgment is over five, and under fifteen dollars, for one month; when over fifteen 
and under sixty dollars, for three months, and when over sixty dollars, for six months. 

The execution continues in force for one year from the time it is issued ; but may 
be renewed upon scire facias, and judgment thereon, and takes priority from the 
time of levy made, and the surplus proceeds of sale under the first execution are 
applicable to the satisfaction of others, in successive order. The levy is made on 
the goods and chattels of defendant ; and if another claim property in the goods le- 
vied upon, the constable stays the sale for ten days, unless indemnified by plaintiff; 
during which, the claimant, on application to a justice, may have his rights tried by 
a jury of six men, and if the application be not made within that time, the claim is 
deemed abandoned. The verdict, if against the claimant, protects the constable in 
making sale of the goods. For want of goods whereon to levy, the body of the de- 
fendant is liable to imprisonment until the debt and costs be paid, or until delivered 
by due course of law. and where there are no personal effects an action may be 
brought in the Common Pleas, on the judgment before the justice, in order to reach 
.the real estate. 

;• From the judgment of the justice, on default, on absence or confession of defen- 
dant, or when the matter in dispute does not exceed three dollars in value, there is 
no appeal. In other cases, an appeal lies by either party to the Common Pleas to 
be holden next after rendition of judgment ; the appellant giving bond, with surety, 
to the other party conditioned for the prosecution of his appeal. The justice de- 
termining the cause is excluded from sitting upon it in the appellate court. 

The judgment of the justice may, also, be revised by the Supreme Court, by 
certiorari (but not by writ of error) issued within eighteen months from the rendi- 
tion. Any justice is authorized, in cases in a Justice's Court, to take the deposition 
of infirm, sick, or going witnesses, and to issue commission for the examination of 
witnesses. 

The justices (among whom are to be esteemed the mayor, recorder, and alder- 
men of any city, borough, or town corporate, within their respective territorial ju- 
risdictions) are chosen by the legislature in joint meeting, for the term of five years, 
and may be reappointed for such terms, indefinitely, and dismissed upon impeach- 
ment by the assembly, and conviction by the council. Such justices are, by the act 
of 1794, conservators of the peace, and as such, are charged and empowered to 



70 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

cause the laws to be observed, and to apprehend and punish offenders as the laws 
may direct. They exercise also many ministerial duties, as notaries in certain cases; 
and act as substitutes for the coroner, &c. &c. As the Justices' Court is that which 
disposes of the major part of the disputes atMong the citizens, we have occupied 
more space in relation to it than we shall give to the courts of higher order. 

The Court of Quarter Sessions, in eacli county, is composed of the justices of the 
county, or any three of them ; and is a court of record, having cognisance of all in- 
dictable offences perpetrated in the county : and authority by its precepts to the 
sheriff, to summon grand and special juries, and to do all necessary things relative 
thereto, as directed by law ; sending, however, all indictments found for treason, 
murder, manslaughter, sodomy, rape, polygamy, arson, burglary, robbery, forgery, 
perjury, and subornation of perjury, to be tried in the Supreme Court, or Court of 
Oyer and Terminer. To this court the several justices of the county send their re- 
cognisances for keeping the peace or good behaviour, and the examination of of- 
fenders, taken before them ; and generally return to it the recognisances of witnesses 
and of bail in criminal cases. It has cognisance of cases of bastardy ; may grant 
tavern licenses, the sums payable for which, not less than $10 nor more than $70, 
pertain to the county treasury; may recommend to the governor persons for license 
as pedlars; may hear appeals from the order of justices, between master and ser- 
vantj and in pauper cases, and from conviction, by justices, under the acts for sup- 
pressing vice and immorality, &c.; and has, generally, the powers of a court of 
record, relative to the subjects of its jurisdiction. 

The Common Pleas consist of judges appointed by the legislature, in joint meet- 
ing, who hold their offices for five years. The number in each county is unlimited, 
and varies from time to time. Any one of the judges may hold the court. They 
choose their own president for a year, and receive no salary or compensation, but 
certain bench fees, divided among them, rarely amounting to their expenses at the 
court. Their territorial jurisdiction is only coextensive with the county, but they may 
issue subpoenas for witnesses throughout the State. The court has unlimited ori- 
ginal jurisdiction, at common law, in all personal actions where the freehold does 
not come in question, with some restriction as to costs, in cases cognisable before a 
justice. Its proceedings may be revised on writ of error to the Supreme Court. 

The judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in the several counties, or any three of 
them, constitute the Orphans' Court ; which is a court of record, and is holden four 
times a year, in the same week with the Courts of Quarter Sessions, and at such other 
times as the judges may deem proper. This court is empowered : to determine all 
controversies respecting the existence of wills, the fairness of inventories, the right 
of administration and guardianship, the allowance of the accounts of executors, ad- 
aninistrators, guardians, or trustees, audited and stated by the surrogate ; to award 
process to bring before them all persons interested, or witnesses, in any pending 
•cause; or who, as executors, administrators, guardians, trustees, or otherwise, are 
accountable for any property belonging to an orphan, or person under age. And 
•the ordinary, his register, and surrogates, are required to transmit into this court, 
■upon application, copies of all bonds, inventories, accounts, &c., relating to estates' 
■of orphans, &c. Where insufficient surety has been taken on granting letters of 
administration, or guardianship, this court has power to require administrators or 
guardians to give furtiier security ; and upon refusal, or malfeasance in their trust, 
to dismiss them and substitute others: and where an executrix having minors of her 
own, or is concerned for other minors, or is like to marry without securing the 
minors' estates; or where an executor, guardian, or other trustee of minors' estates 
is like to prove insolvent, refuses or neglects to account for such estates, to order 
that he give security to those for whom he is concerned, by mortgage or bond, in 
such sum as the court may deem proper; conditioned for the performance of their 
respective trusts : and, where the surety in bond given by an administrator or guar- 
dian, alleges that such officer is wasting or mismanaging the estate, whereby the 
complainant is liable to damage, the court may compel such officer to render an ac- 
count, and if the malfeasance be apparent, may, on pain of dismissal, compel him 
to give separate security to his surety for the faithful performance of duty : and 
where there are two or more acting executors, guardians, or administrators, the court 
may, from time to time, on the application of any one of them, and sufficient reason 
shown, order the executor, &c., to account with his coexecutor, &c., and compel 
him to give separate security to such executor, &c., and on refusal, to authorize such, I 
coexecutor, «Skc., to sue for the assets in the hands of the executors, «fcc., refusing. ; 



JUDICIARY. 71 

The court has also authority, to make partition of the lands of an intestate, 
among his heirs, when any of them are under the age of twenty-one years ; and also 
of the lands devised to two or more devisees, under such age, where the bounds of 
each devisee's share is unascertained ; and to appoint commissioners for the ad- 
measurement of dower. But where the lands of such intestate or devisor lie in two 
or more counties, the duty of partition devolves upon the surrogate general. The 
court may order sale of lands for the payment of debts when the personalty is ex- 
hausted, either upon application of the executor, administrator, or creditor ; or the sale 
of lands of orphans, when necessary for their maintenance and education; and direct 
the fulfilment of contracts for the conveyance of real estate, made by the testator or 
intestate, in his life time: and may also compel creditors of the estates of decedents, 
to render their accounts, within a stated time, under penalty of being barred of their 
actions. And in case the estate prove insolvent, may direct distribution of pro- 
ceeds among creditors; and where the debts are paid, may divide the balance among 
the representatives of decedent. 

This court has jurisdiction, also, in the settlement of the accounts of assignees, 
under the assignaient of a debtor for the benefit of creditors. 

By the 8th article of the constitution the governor is tx officio ordinary, or sur- 
rogate general. One deputy or surrogate, in each county, is appointed by the legis- 
lature, for five years, whose power is confined within the same, and whose duty 
is — to take the depositions to wills, (ten days after death of testator) adminis- 
trations, inventories, and administration bonds, in cases of intestacy, and issue 
thereon letters testamentary and of administration; but where doubts arise on 
the face of the will, or a caveat be put in against proving it, or disputes hap- 
pen respecting the existence of a will, the fairness of an inventory, or tlie right of 
administration, he is to issue citations to all persons concerned, to appear at the 
next Orphans' Court, of the county, where the cause is determined in a summary 
way, subject to an appeal to the Prerogative Court, to which all other proceedings 
of the surrogate may, also, be carried directly by appeal; To record all wills and 
inventories proven before him, or the Orphans' Court, with the proofs ; all letters of 
guardianship and letters testamentary by him granted, a copy of which, under his 
hand and seal, is evidence in any court of the State. He transmits to the register 
of the Prerogative Court, on the first Mondays of February, May, August, and 
November, annually, all wills and inventories proved by him, and a return of all 
letters of administration granted during the preceding three months, to be filed in 
■ the register's office. Files all administration and guardianship bonds, and other 
writings, required by law, in conducting the business of his office: Gives bond for 
the faithful performance of his duties, with sureties in the sum of two thousand 
dollars: Audits and states the accounts of executors and administrators, exhibited 
. to him, and report the same to the Orphans' Court, giving at least two months' no- 
''tice of his intention, in at least five of the most public places of the county, as near 
as may be, to the place of residence of the parties concerned. He is required to 
keep up in his office, at all times, in some conspicuous place, a true list of all fees, 
lawfully demandable by him as surrogate, or as clerk of the Orphans' Court; and he 
is punishable for extortion by fine. 

The jurisdiction of the ordinary or surrogate general extends only to the grant- 
ing of probate of wills, letters of administration, letters of guardianship and the 
hearing and finally determining all disputes that may arise thereon. For the last 
purpose, he holds, at stated periods, a Prerogative Court, at the times and places 
for holding the Court of Chancery, where he hears, and finally determines, all 
causes that come before him, either directly or by appeal from any of the surrogates 
or from the Orphans' Court. Of this court the secretary of state is register, and is 
required to record the names of the testators of all wills he may receive, in alpha- 
betical order, with the year in which they were proved, and to file such wills in his 
office, the wills of each year and county to be put by themselves ; and in like man- 
ner to record the names of all intestates, and all inventories in manner aforesaid ; 
and. transcripts of any will or testament registered by him are receivable in evidence 
in all courts of the commonwealth. 

Supreme and Circuit Courts. — The first consists of a chief justice and two as- 
sociates, and holds, annually, at Trenton, four terms, commencing on the last 
Tuesday of February, the second of May, the first of September, and the second 
of November, by the chief justice or any one of the justices. Issues in this 
court, determinable by jury, are tried in the county where the lands in question 



72 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

lie, or the cause of action arises; unless upon motion upon behalf of the State, 
when the State is party, or where the amount in dispute is three thousand dol- 
lars, and either party order the trial at bar, which he may do, receiving only 
the costs of a Circuit Court if he do not recover that sum. Transitory actions, 
at the discretion of the court, are tried in the county in which the cause of action 
arose ; and trials by foreign juries may be had where the court deem it proper. 
The court has original jurisdiction in all cases without regard to amount, but the 
party recovering not more than two hundred dollars, exclusive of costs, is not entitled 
to costs, unless the freehold, inheritance or title to real estate may come in question, 
or the suit be removed into this court by the defendant. But no suit may be re- 
moved from an inferior court by habeas carpus unless the value of the matter in con- 
troversy exceed two hundred dollars. It has power to appoint commissioners of bail, 
and to make rules for justifying such bail; to try treason committed out of the State; 
to review proceedings of justices in cases of landlords and tenants ; to authorize 
the filing of an information in the nature of a quo warranto; to make partition of 
land and tenements between jointtenants and tenants in common; to appoint com- 
missioners to ascertain county lines; to entertain prosecutions against vessels seized 
for engaging in the slave trade; to issue writs of dower, and admeasurement of 
dower, &c.; and writs of error in all cases to the Common Pleas, and to determine 
thereon, and also to determine causes removed Iiither b}' certiorari from the Or- 
phans' Court : to appoint viewers of roads in certain cases, and to receive and de- 
termine on their report. 

The chief justice, or one of his associates, twice in a year, holds a Circuit Court 
in every county e.xcept in that of Cape May, for the trial of issues which have been 
joined in, or brought into the Supreme Court, and which may be triable in the county: 
but the same judge does not hold the court twice in succession in the same county, 
unless on special occasions; and the clerks of the Common Pleas, in the several 
counties, are clerks of the Circuit Courts, and of the Courts of Oyer and Terminer 
and General Jail Delivery. 

The Court of Oyer and Terminer is holden semi-annually, in each county, except 
that of Cape May, where it is holden annually only, by one of the justices of the Su- 
preme Court, and the judges of the Courts of Common Pleas, or any three of them. 
It has cognisance of all crimes and offences within the county; and authority to de- 
liver the jails of the prisoners therein. Its process runs into all the counties of the 
State, and it may direct that indictments found in it for offences indictable in the 
Quarter Sessions be sent to the sessions for trial. 

The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in criminal cases, and appellate ju- 
risdiction from the Court of Oyer and Terminer, &c. 

The governor is, by the constitution, chancellor of the State, and holds at Tren- 
ton, annually, four stated terms on the third Tuesday of January, the first in April, 
the second in July, and the second in October, and such stated terms as he may from 
time to time appoint. If the court be not opened at any of the said terms, the pro- 
cess returnable, and the suits pending tlierein, are continued, of course, until th^ 
court shall sit. This court is considered as always open for the granting of injunc- 
tions, writs of ne exeat to prevent the departure of defendants from the State, and 
other writs and process in vacation. The chancellor may call to his assistance the 
chief justice or other justice of the Supreme Court, or one or more masters of chan- 
cery, to advise with on the hearing of a cause, argument, or motion; or he may send 
any matter of law to the Supreme Court for its opinion ; or if a matter of fact ren- 
der the intervention of a jury necessary, he may send an issue for trial to such court. 
The masters in chancery are appointed by the chancellor, and the clerk of the court 
formerly named by him, is now, by virtue of the act of 14th February, 1831, ap- 
pointed by the legislature in joint meeting, and continues in office five years. 

In addition to the subjects of jurisdiction abovementioned, we may add here, that 
of foreclosure of mortgages as a prominent one. But the jurisdiction of this court 
is extensive and complex, embracing those many subjects on which the law cannot 
justly operate, by reason of its generality, and is not defined by the statutory law. 
A knowledge of it can be obtained, therefore, only from the thousand volumes of 
English and American law, and it must remain a mystery to all but the erudite 
student. 

To tlie Supreme and Chancery Courts a reporter is attached, whose duty is, to re- 
port and publish their decisions. 

The governor and council, seven of whom make a quorum, constitute the court of 
appeals in the last resort, in causes of law or equity removed from the Supreme i 



JUDICIARY. 73 

Court, or from Chancery, after final judgment; and possess the power of granting 
pardons to criminals after condemnation, in all cases of offence. This court holds 
annually at Trenton, two terms ; one commencing on the third Tuesday in May, and 
the other on the first Tuesday of November ; but, if the legislature be elsewhere in 
session at either of the said terms, the court i.s holden where the legislature may be; 
and the governor, with the advice of the council, or three of them, may hold ano- 
ther term, at Trenton, annually. The secretary of state is the elerk of the court. 
The members of council, sitting as judges, receive the same pay and mileage, as 
when sitting in council ; and the clerk, as when acting as clerk of council. If a suf- 
ficient number of members do not attend the court, on the first day of term, it may 
adjourn from day to day, or until the next term, and all proceedings therein are con- 
tinued, of course. 

Compensation of Officers. The compensation of the chancellor, judges of the 
Common Pleas, Orphans' Courts, tt'uarter Sessions, and justices, and of the clerks, 
sheriffs, coroners and constables, engaged therein, secretary of state, attorney gene- 
ral and deputies, is by fees, respectively, allotted to them by law. 

The chief, and other justices of the Supreme Court, are allowed a per diem com- 
pensation for attending the Circuit Courts, in addition to their annual salaries, and 
certain fees on law proceedings, and an allowance for travelling expenses, which may 
increase their compensation on the whole to !|1,300 or $1,400 per annum. The 
statutes regulating fees are perpetual ; but those which fix salaries are annual ; and 
thus the chief officers of State are kept dependent upon the legislature. The act of 
2d Nov. 1832, allotted for the then next succeeding year, to the governor, at the 
rate of $2,000; chief justice, $1,200; associate justice of Supreme Court, $1,100; 
treasurer, $1,000; law reporter and chancery reporter, each $200; attorney gene- 
ral, $80; quartermaster general, $100; adjutant general, $100. All of which are 
payable, on warrants signed by the governor or vice president. The salary ceases 
on the removal of the officer by death or otherwise. 

The same act, allotted to the vice president of council and speaker of assembly, 
$3 50; and to every member of council and assembly, $3 per day; and $3 for 
every twenty miles of travel to and from the seat of government; to the secretary 
of council and clerk of assembly, each $3 50 per diem ; and eight cents per sheet 
of 100 words, for recording minutes, and the like for copy for the printer, and per 
sheet to engrossing clerk. To the sergeant at arms and door keepers, $2 per day. 

IV. Having, as fully as our limits will permit, pourtrayed the physical and poli- 
tical condition of the State, it remains, to complete our view, that we trace an out- 
line of the provisions which exist for religious, moral, and intellectual improvement. 
The principal religious associations are the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Dutch 
Reformed, Quaker, and Catholic. Beside these, there are several other Christian 
denominations, such as Universalists, Chris-ti-ans, &c. «&c., but the number of mem- 
bers pertaining to them, are inconsiderable. We have sought to give the condition 
of each from their records, and where such documents were not accessible, from 
other authentic sources. 

The Synod of the Presbyterian Church of New Jersey, comprises the Presbyteries 
of Newark, Elizabethtown, New Brunswick, Newton, and Susquehanna. But we 
do not note the latter. The reader will observe, that in the following table, P. at 
tached to a minister's name, denotes that he is pastor of some church, and P. at 
tached to a church, that it has a pastor. W. C. stands for, loithout charge; S. S 
for stated supply; O. S. for occasional supply; V. for vacant; Presh. for Presby 
tery ; Prest. for president of some college ; Prof, for professor in some college or 
theological seminary ; Miss, for missionary ; Chap, for chaplain to the navy or some 
public station; Ch. for church; Cong, for congregational. The expense of each 
church will not exceed .$600. 



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GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



The Baptists in New Jersey liave sixty-one churches, whose location and condition, 
in some measure, appears from the following table. Their general affairs are directed 
by a state convention, which assembles, annually, on the first Wednesday of Novem- 
ber, at such place as may be fixed at the prior meeting. It maintains six missiona- 
ries, and its funds, in 1832, amounted to $1143 74. The cost of maintaining each 
church, including the funds raised for all kinds of ecclesiastical purposes, is esti- 
mated at $300, making in the whole, $18,300. 



STATISTICAL TABLES OF ASSOCIATIONS AND CHURCHES. 

NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION.— "There is a healthful action in this body. Sabbath schools, tracts, 
temperance and missionary operations, are encouraged to a very laudible extent by the churches; and in 
many of them seasons of refreshing have been enjoyed during the year past. Tliere is an efiicient body of 
ministers belonging to the association, most of them in the prime of manhood." 



CHURCHES. 



Cohansey, 
Cape May, 
Salem, 

Dividing Creek, 
Tuckahoe, 
Pemberton, 
Pittsgrove, 
Upper Freehold, 
Manahawkin, - 
Jacobstown, 
West Creek, 
Burlington, 
Mount Holly, - 

Evesham, 
Trenton and Lam- 

berton, 
Williamsburg, 
Port Elizabeth, 
Haddonfield, - 
Canton, - 
Bordentown, - 
Woodstown, 
2d Cohansey, 
Allowaystown, 
2d Cape May, - 

Churches 24. 



IVIINISTERS. 



H. Smalley, W. Sheppard, 
Samuel Smith, 
Charles J. Hopkins, 
Thomas Brooks, - . - 
William Clark, - 
Clarence W. Mulford, - 
William Bacon, - . - 
James M. Challiss, 
C.C.Park, - - - - 
— Ezekiel Sexton, 

— G.Allen, P. Powell, J. Boozer. 

J. Sheppard, J. Maylin, 

J. E. Welsh, E. W. Dickerson, 



Morgan J. Rhees, 



John Sisty, S. Hervey, 

E. M. Barker; J. P. Thompson, 



J. C. Harrison, 
Ambrose Garrett, 



Ministers 24. 



POST OFFICES. 



Roadstown, - 
Cape May, - 
Salem, - - 
Dividing Creek 
Tuckahoe, - 
Pemberton, - 
Pittsgrove, - 
Imlaytown, - 
Manahawkin, 
New Egypt, - 

Burlington, - 
Mount Holly, 

Evesham, 

Trenton, - - 
Princeton, 
Millville, - - 
Haddonfield, 
Canton, - - 
Bordentown, 



Bridgetown, 
Allowaystown, 
Cape May, - 



Bap. 


Total 


Consti. 


55 


188 


1900 


7 


80 


1712 


5 


141 


1755 


5 


55 
20 


1762 


28 


170 


1764 


4 


34 


1771 


16 


196 


1766 


5 


25 


1770 


G 


62 


1785 


4 


33 


1792 


1 


77 


1801 


7 


92 


1801 


12 


58 


1803 


20 


159 


1805 


2 


38 


1805 


2 


]1 


1805 


2 


54 


1818 


12 


64 


1811 




36 


1821 


11 


43 


1821 


5 


74 




3 


50 


1830 




42 


1828 


213 


1802 





NEW YORK ASSOCIATION. 



CHURCHES. 


MINISTERS. 


CLERKS. 


POST OFFICES. 


Bapt. 


Total 


Consti. 


Middletown, - 


_ 


. 


Middletown, - 


14 


132 


1688 


Piscataway, - 


. . 


. 


New Brunswick, 


18 


129 


1689 


Scotch Plains, 


John Rogers, 
E. Frost, - - 


- 


Scotch Plains, 


18 


126 


1747 


Morristown, - 


P. C. Broome, 




Morristown, - 


1 


39 


1752 


Mount Bethel, 


M. R. Cox, - 


- 


- 


22 


83 


1767 


Lyon's Farms, 


P. Sparks, 
J. Wilcox, 


- 


- 


14 


58 


1769 


Northfield, - 


A. Elliott, - 


- 


- 


2 


72 


1785 


Samptown, - 


L. Lathrop, - 


- 


- 


30 


133 


1792 


Newark, - - 


Daniel Dodge, 


- 


Newark, 


8 


120 


1801 


Randolph, 


— M. Quin, sup. 


- 


- 




20 


1802 


New Brunswick, 


G. S. Webb, - 


P. P. Runyon, 


New Brunswick, 


29 


ni 


1816 


Perth Amboy, 


Jacob Sloper, 


. 


- 


1 


3b 


1818 


Plainfield, 


D. T. Hill, - 


D. Dunn, - 


Plainfield, 


24 


113 


1818 


Paterson, 


D.D.Lewis, - 


- 


Paterson, 


1 


48 


1825 


Churches 15. 


Ministers 14. 




Totals 


190 


1319 





79 



WARWICK ASSOCIATION. 



CHURCHES. 


MINISTERS. 


CLERKS. 


POST OFFICES. 


Bap. 


Total 


Consti. 


1st Wantage, 


Tim. Jackson, 


H. Martin, - 


Deckertown, 




24.5 


1756 


2d Wantage, 


A. Harding, - 


Israel Dillison, 


- 




39 


1797 


Newfoundland, 


. . 


I. Dean, - - 


Newfoundland, 


1 


27 




Hardiston, - 


Henry Bail, - 


T. Beardslcy, 


. 


4 


G3 




1st Newton, - 


T. Teasdale, - 


J. B. Maxwell, 


Newton, - - 


23 


50 




Hamburg, - 


John Teasdale, 


I. H. Wood, 


Hamburg, 


11 


88 




Churches 6. 


Ministers 4. 




Totals 


39 


512 





CENTRAL ASSOCIATION. 



CHURCHES. 


MINISTERS. 




POST OFFICES. 


Bap. 


Total 


Consti. 


1st Hopewell, 


John Boggs, 




Hopewell, 


7 


172 


1715 


Hightstown, 


John Seger, 




Hightstown, 


5 


220 


1745 


Amwell, 


C. Bartolett, Thos. Burrass, 
Wm. Pollard, E. Burrass, 


- 


23 


1G4 


1798 


2d Hopewell, - 


C. Suydam, 




- 


1 


48 


1803 


Squan, 


— 




Manasquam, 




40 




Nottingham Square, 


— 




Trenton, - 




115 




Sandy Ridge, - 


Joseph Wright, 




- 


7 


79 




Lambertsville, - 


D.B. Stout, 




Lambertsville, - 


4 


27 




Oxford, - 







. 


18 


30 


1831 


Washington, 


J. C. Goble, 




South River, 


27 


129 




Churches 10. 


Ministers 


10. 


Totals 


92 ll024 





HUDSON RIVER ASSOCIATION. 



2d Newark, 



P. L. Piatt, 



Newark, 



15 



33 



1831 



PHILADELPHIA ASSOCIATION. 



Kingwood, 



Wm. Curtis, j3. WiUia.mson,\Kingwood, 
JV. R. Robinson, - I 



198 



1742 



CENTRAL UNION ASSOCIATION. 



Camden, - 



— A. Smith, C. Sexton, Camden 



33 1818 



UNASSOCIATED CHURCHES. 



Schooly's Mountain, 
Hackensack, 



— Michael Quin, 
Henry Tonkin, 



Schooly's Mountain. 
Hackensack, 



1832 

1832 



SUMMARY VIEW. 



ASSOCIATIONS. 


r/i 

24 
10 
15 

G 
1 
1 
1 
3 

Gl 


6 

> 

9 
3 
3 
1 

1 
17 


O 

21 

9 
13 

4 
1 
1 
2 
2 

53 


3 
1 
1 

2 

7 


ffl 


a 
o 


c 
o 
O 


MEETINGS IN 1833. 


New Jersey, - 
Central, - - 
Jfew York, 
Warwick, - - 
Hudson Hiver, 
Philadelphia, - 
Central Union, 
Unassociated chs. 


213 

92 

190 

39 

15 

7 

4 
560 


1802 

1024 

1319 

512 

33 

198 

33 

GO 


1811 

1791 
1791 
1815 

1707 
1832 


Upper Freehold, Sept. 24. 

Washington, Oct. 16. 

1st. Ch. N. Y. city. May 28. 

Orange, N. Y. June 11. 

Oliver Street Church, June 19. 

Spruce Street Church, Oct. 1. 

Second Street Church, May 28. 


Totals 


3981 





80 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



The clergymen report, that during the years 1831 and 1832, 1000 persons have 
been baptized in the State, and that a spirit of enlightened liberality is diffusing 
itself among the ciiurches. 

In addition to what is done for the objects of the convention, from two to three 
hundred dollars are annually raised for foreign missions. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, in New Jersey, is divided into three districts, 
each under the charge of a presiding elder, always a minister, appointed by the 
bishop, and changed at least once in four years. Each district is divided into cir- 
cuits and stations ; thus, the district of West Jersey, comprehending Burlington 
county, and the country south thereof, contains eight circuits and three stations, and 
supernumeraries included, twenty-three ministers ; the district of East Jersey, in- 
cluding the country as far north as Flemington and Belleville, four circuits and ten 
stations, and twenty-three ministers ; and Asbury district, comprehending the re- 
mainder of the State, eight circuits, three stations, and eighteen ministers. 

Circuits are formed of territories of greater or less dimensions, including several 
churches, under the charge of one pastor, aided, commonly, by one or more assistants, 
who serve the churches in rotation. Stations consist, generally, of one church, but 
occasionally, of more, confided to the care of one pastor, who, sometimes, where 
there are more churches than one, has an assistant. The circuits and stations de- 
pend, in their government, upon the annual conference of Philadelphia, and upon 
the quarterly conferences held in them respectively. Disputes among the members 
of any church, may be considered, in the first instance, by a committee of their 
church, from whose decision an appeal lies to the quarterly conference, composed of 
the pastor, local preachers, exhorters, stewards, and class leaders, at whose head is 
the presiding elder of the district; and its determination is conclusive, unless one of 
the parties be a minister ; in such case, he may appeal to the annual conference ; and 
if he be a travelling minister, from the annual, to the general, conference. 

The whole number of clergymen of this denomination, in the State, is sixty-four; 
the cost of whose maintenance, including donations of every character, together 
with the expenses of maintaining the churches, is estimated at about $412 each, per 
annum ; which, distributed among the whole number of members, (15,467,) gives an 
average charge of $1 77, annually, upon each member. And the annual cost of 
establishing and repairing churches, is stated at twenty-five cents, each member; 
so that the whole average annual charge, for religious instruction, upon each mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church, may be set down at about two dollars. 

The following table shows the circuits and stations of the several districts, with 
the number of communicants and clergymen, in each, for the year 1832. 



WEST JEKSEY 


DISTRICT. 


EAST JERSEY 


DISTRICT. 


ASBURY DISTRICT 






Mem's. 


Min's. 




Mem's. 


Min's. 




Mem's. 


Min' 


Burlington, - 


424 


2 


New Brunswick and 


1 268 


Q 


Kingswood, - 


170 


1 


Pemberton, 


878 


4 


Somerville, 




Asbury, 


698 


2 


Tuclceitoii, 


848 


2 


Freehold, 


678 


4 


Belvidere and Warrent. 167 


4 


Baigaintovvn, 


989 


2 


Trenlon, 


360 


1 


Newton and Hamb 


urg, 937 


4 


Cumberland, 


894 


2 


Crosswicks, - 


539 


2 


Miltbrd, 


50 




Bridgeton, 


3.57 


1 


Pennington, - 


1,56 


1 


Haverstraw, ■ 


210 


1 


Gloucester, - 


955 


2 


Piainfield, 


32 


1 


Paterson, 


420 


1 


Salem, - - - 


1160 


5 


Rahway, 


1.52 


1 


Essex, - 


445 


2 


Camden, 


713 


2 


Elizabethtown, 


1.36 


1 


Morristown, - 


178 


1 


Pre.siding Elder, 


- 


1 


VVoodbridge, 


75 


1 


New Providence, 


150 


1 







— 


Bloomfield and Orange, 4.50 


2 







— 




7218 


23 


Belleville, 


ItiO 


1 




4425 


18 









Newark, 


779 


2 




3924 


23 








Somerset Mission, - 


106 


4 




7218 


23 








Bergen Neck, do. - 


33 


1 






— 








Presiding Elder, 


3924 


1 
23 




15,567 


64 



The condition of the Episcopalian Church is drawn from the report of the gen«i» 
ral convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the United States .of Ame-' 
rica, held in the city of New York, October 1832, and from the report of the 50th 
annual convention of the church in the diocese of New Jersey, held at Camden in 
May 1833. From these it appears that during the year, ending October 1832, there 
were three persons admitted to the order of the priesthood, and one to that of dea- 
con: That there have been eleven institutions within the last three years; that 
eight clergymen have been received in the diocese, and there were therein eighteen 
resident, all presbyters: That the number of Episcopal families is 340; of commu- 



RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. 



81 



nicants, 900; baptisms reported, 517; persons confirmed,168 ; candidates for the 
ministry, 2 ; and congregations, 33; located and supplied, as mentioned in the fol- 
lowing list. 



NAME. 


PLACE. 


INCUMBENTS. 


Christ, 


New Brunswick, 


J. Croes. 


St. Matthew's, 


Jersey City, 


E. D. Barry, D. D. 


St. Paul's, 


Paterson, 


R. Williston, Minister. 


Trinity, 


Newark, 


M. H. Henderson. 


Christ Chapel, 


Belleville, 


(Vacant.) 


St. John's, 


Elizabeth town. 


B. G. Noble. 


St. Mark's, 


Orange, 


B. Holmes. 


St. Peter's, 


Morristown, 


H. R. Peters. 


Christ, 


Newton, 


C. Dunn. 


St. Luke's, 


Hope, 


P. L. Jaques, dea. M'y. 


St. James's, 


Knowlton, 


P. L. Jaques, dea. M's. 


St John's, 


Johnsonsburgh, 


P. L. Jaques, dea. M'y. 


St. Peter's, 


Spotswood, 


J. M. Ward. 


St. Peter's, 


Freehold, 


J. M. Ward, Minister. 


Christ, 


Shrewsbury, 


H. Finch. 


Christ, 


Middletown, 


H. Finch. 


St. Peter's, 


Perth Amboy, 


J. Chapman. 


St. James's, 


Piscataway, 


W. Douglass, Minister. 


Trinity, 


Woodbridge, 


W. Douglass, Missionary. 


St. Thomas's, 


Alexandria, 


W. Douglass, Missionary. 


St. Michael's, 


Trenton, 


F. Beasley, D. D. 


Trinity, 


Princeton, 


(Just organized.) 


St. Mary's, 


Burlington, 


C. H. Wharton, D. D. 


St. Andrew's, 


Mount Holly, 


G. Y. Morehouse. 


St. Mary's, 


Colestown, 


(Vacant.) 


St. Paul's, 


Camden, 


(Vacant.) 


St. Peter's, 


Berkeley, 


(Vacant.) 


Trinity, 


Swedesborough, 


N. Nash, Rector Elect, 


St. Thomas's, 


Glassborough, 


(Vacant.) 


St. John's, 


Chew's Landing, 


(Vacant.) 


St. Stephen's, 


Mullica Hill, 


(Vacant.) 


St. John's, 


Salem, 


H. M. Mason. 


St. George's, 


Penn's Neck, 


H. M. Mason. 



It also appears, that the Sunday schools flourish, and are gradually connecting 
themselves with the diocesan Sunday school society ; that the missionary fund 
amounts to $4,500, which contributes to aid, most materially, in reviving and sup- 
porting old and decayed, as well as new congregations; the episcopal fund, to 
^2,049.33 ; that the fund for the relief of widows and children of deceased clergy- 
men, has of late years rapidly increased, and now amounts to almost $15,000; and 
that the Episcopal Society for the promotion of Christian Knowledge and Piety pur- 
sues the even and noiseless tenor of its way, doing good by the distribution of Bi- 
bles, prayer books, tracts, and aiding the missionary fund, and candidates for orders. 
Its permanent fund exceeds $1,.500. Six hundred dollars per annum is estimated as 
the annual expense of each church. 

The want of full parochial reports renders it impracticable to give an accurate 
statement of the actual condition of the respective churches. 

The Reformed Dutch Church of New Jersey consists of three classes, attached 
to the particular synod of New York, the condition of which is apparent from the 
annexed tables. We are unable to furnish a detailed account of the cost to the 
members of maintaining this church, but we are instructed, from good authority, 
that $650 will amply cover all the expenses of each church. There are 36 churches, 
and consequently the whole charge, about $23,400, annually, including theological 
and missionary contributions. 



82 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



CLASSIS OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 



CHURCHES. 


PASTORS. 


Census. 


Co 111 in un 


cants 




Bapt.| 


3 

O 7) 
CD 

U ■- 

s 

3 


a 
o 

O ■ 

^1 
■" a 

t« fcC 

o a 

"B ^ 

o 


4> 

a, 

H 

a 10 

C cd 
O '- 

£3 


Rc'd. 


a 
1 

Q 
5 


-3 
V 

-o 

c 

0) 

a. 
05 


-d 

Q 

2 


3 

E 
S 
o 

o 

a 
o 


S 

c 
25 


"a 
-a 
< 

3 


6 

a 
u 

a) 

c 
O 

20 


s 

i 
J 

a 
O 

24 


New Brunswick, 


Samuel B. Howe, 








345 


Six Mile Run, 


Vacant, 
























Hillsborough, 


J. L. Zabriskie, 


130 




279 


8 


14 


9 




8 


284 


26 


4 


Raritan, 


A. Messier, 


310 


1700 




7 


12 


8 




11 


355 


16 




Bedininster, 


Isaac M. Fisher, 
























North Branch, 


A. D. Wilson, 
























Rockaway, 


Jacob I. Shultz, 


78 


508 


101 




9 


1 




1 


108 


17 


2 


Lebanon, 


Do. 


110 


600 


100 


1 


3 


3 




1 


100 


!2 


1 


Spotswood, 


Henry L. Rice, 


208 


IIGO 






15 


1 






115 


21 


5 


Freehold, 


S. A. Van Vranken, 
























Middietown, 


J. T. Beekman, 


110 


600 


125 




17 








142 


8 


12 


Minisink, 


C. C. Eltinge, 










90 


2 


2 


2 


190 


11 


25 


Mahakkainak, 


Do. 








1 


29 


2 


3 




130 


4 


5 


Walpack, 


Vacant, 






f 



















CLASSIS OF BERGEN. 



Bergen, 

Hackensack, 

E. Neighbourhood, 

BelviUe, 

Fairfield, 

Ponipton Plains, 

Pompton, 

Montville, 

Ponds, 

Preakness, 

WyckotF, 

Bergen Neck, 

Jersey City, 

Scliraalenberg, 

Stonehouse Plains, 



B. C. Taylor, 
J. V. C. Romeyn, 
Philip Duryea, 
Gustavus Abeei, 
Henry A. Raymond, 
James R. Talmage, 
Isaac S. Demund, 
Frederic F. Cornel), 
Z. H. Kuypers, 

Do. 

Do. 
Ira C. Boice, 
Vacant, 
Vacant, 
Vacant, 



185 


1050 


195 


2 


12 


1 




10 


198 


24 


a 


90 




98 


















100 






12 


16 


1 


1 


8 


71 


32 




120 




118 


9 


21 


1 




2 


145 


30 




170 


1000 


133 




2 


1 




2 


132 


18 




170 


1060 


108 




6 








114 


25 




130 




100 


2 


11 


1 


1 




111 


8 


1 


100 


500 


50 


3 


17 






1 


70 


10 


1 


65 


353 


46 




16 


1 






65 


19 




55 


251 


48 












53 


10 




78 


457 


62 












67 


15 




64 


384 


35 


1 


5 






2 


39 


7 




56 


254 


63 


2 


1 


2 




3 


61 


9 




166 




157 



















Minister without charge — Rev. John Duryea. 

* N. B. The Report from the Church at English Neighbourhood is for four years. 



CLASSIS OF PARAMUS. 



Tappan, 


N. Lansing, 


161 


617 


150 


1 


13 


4 




5 


155 


34 


3 


Clarkstown, 


Alex. H. Warner, 


159 


714 




3 


3 






5 


160 


11 




Saddle river and > 


Stephen Goetchius, 


147 


611 


248 


1 


5 


3 


2 


3 


250 


16 




Pasgack 5 


Do. 


72 


225 


51 












.51 


8 




Paramus&lstRef ) 
D. C. ofTotowa, 5 


W. Eltinge, 


170 


1065 


286 




10 




3 


2 


291 


25 




Do. 


130 


765 


112 




9 








121 


23 


2 


Warwick, 


J. I. Christie, 








2 


5 


7 




1 




3 


1 


2dRef. D.C.Totowa, 


Isaac D. Cole, 


100 


4.50 


11 


5 


4 








90 


23 




Aquackinunck, 


Wm. R, Bogardus, 


200 


1068 


119 


3 


42 






2 


160 


29 


2 


WestNew-Hamp- ) 


J. Wynkoop, 
























stead & Ramapo, \ 


Do. 

























The Quakers, or Society of Friends, as is well known, have been divided into 
two great parts, each claiming to hold the ancient doctrines of the church. As these 



RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS. 88 

parts do not concur in the account of their former or present condition, we have 
deemed it proper to publish the statement of each. Both parties claim the vene- 
rated name of " Friends," but we are compelled to distinguish them by the titles 
they give to each other. The first of the following statements is given by the 
Hicksile, and the second by the Orthodox party. 

1st. "Friends' meetings in New Jersey, and members. — Burlington quarterly meet- 
ing, before the division, was composed of five monthly meetings, eighteen meetings 
for worship, and 1849 members. 

Burlington quarterly meeting of Friends, since the division, is composed of four 
monthly meetings, fourteen meetings for worship, and 1049 members. 

And that of the Orthodox Friends, four monthly meetings, thirteen meetings for 
worship, and 800 members. 

Haddonfield quarterly meeting, before the division, was composed of five monthly 
meetings, ten meetings for worship, 1686 members. — Haddonfield quarterly meet- 
ings of Friends, since the division, is composed of four monthly meetings, six 
meetings for worship, 8-59 members. That of the Orthodox Friends consists of five 
monthly meetings, nine meetings for worship, and 827 members. 

Salem quarterly meeting, before the division, was composed of five monthly 
meetings, ten meetings for worship, 1536 members. — Salem quarterly meeting of 
Friends, since the division, is composed of five monthly meetings, ten meetings for 
worship, and 1238 members. And that of the Orthodox Friends, three monthly 
meetings, four meetings for worship, and 298 members. 

Shrewsbury quarterly meeting, before the division, was composed of four monthly 
meetings, eight meetings for worship, and 92.5 members. — Shrewsbury quarterly 
meeting of Friends, since the division, is composed of four monllily meetings, 
eight meetings for worship, and 750 members. And that of the Orthodox Friends, 
of two monthly meetings, three meetings for worship, and 175 members. About 
6000 members, in New Jersey, in all." 

2d. " The following statement of the number of members in the Society of Friends 
previous to the late division, and also of the two portions into which it has been 
separated, is made out from authentic sources, and a careful examination of the 
state of the respective meetings. 

At the time of the separation, there were in the state of New Jersey four quarterly 
meetings, nineteen monthly meetings, and forty-six meetings for divine worship. 
Friends now hold five quarterly meetings, fourteen monthly meetings, and twenty- 
nine meetings for divine worsliip. 

The quarterly meetings are as follow: — Burlington quarterly consisted, before the 
separation, of five monthly meetings, and eighteen meetings for worship, comprising 
two thousand one hundred and twenty-five members. Since the separation, it has 
four monthly meetings, twelve meetings for worship, and one thousand one hundred 
and eighty-eight members. The Hicksites, in this quarter, are nine hundred and 
thirty-seven in number, and hold four monthly meetings. 

Haddonfield quarterly meeting, both before and since the separation, consisted 
of five monthly meetings, and ten meetings for worship, embracing one thousand 
seven hundred and eighty-eight members, of whom six hundred and forty-four 
went with the Hicksites, and forty-seven remained undivided, leaving one thousand 
and ninety-seven Friends. The Hicksites, in this quarter, hold four monthly 
meetings. 

Salem quarterly meeting, before the division, had five monthly meetings, and ten 
meetings for worship, including one thousand six hundred and tin-ee members. 
Since the separation. Friends hold four meetings for worship, and three monthly 
meetings, embracing four hundred and fifty-four members. The Hicksites have 
one thousand one hundred and forty-five members, and hold five monthly meetings. 

Shrewsbury and Rah way quarterly meeting, at the time of the separation, was 
composed of four monthly meetings, eight meetings for worship, and eight hundred 
and eighty-eight members. Friends now hold two monthly meetings, and three 
meetings for worship, including two hundred and thirty-three members. Tlie 
Hicksites, in this quarter, are six hundred and fourteen in number, and hold four 
monthly meetings. There were forty-one members who did not side with either 
party." 



84 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

The whole number of Friends in New Jersey is, 2,972 

Hicksites, 3,344 

Neutrals, 81 

Total, 6,404 

See Foster's Report, vol. II. p. p. 388 and 395. 

Of the forty-five meeting houses in which meetings of Friends were held previous 
to the separation, there are now jive in the exclusive possession of Friends — fifteen 
which are occupied by Friends and Hicksites, jointly, — and twenty-five in the exclu- 
sive possession of the Hicksites." 

RECAPITULATION. 

Thus it appears that the Presbyterians have 85 churches. 
Baptists, - - - 61 do. 
Methodists, - - 64 ministers. 
Episcopalians, - 33 churches. 
Dutch Reformed, 36 do. 
Quakers, - - - 67 meetings. 
Other denominations, conjectural, 10 

Total number, 356 

In this summary, we have given, we believe correctly, the number of churches of 
each denomination, save that of the Methodist, which has many more churches than 
ministers; but we have not been able to ascertain the number of churches, although 
we have taken much pains for that purpose. In the circuits, there are commonly 
not less than two churches or congregations to a minister ; but in such cases tl^e 
congregations consist of ^ew members. Many of the churches have no pastors. 
The Quakers, it is well known, have none; and of the 289 churches which remain 
in the list after deducting their meeting houses, we consider that 39 may continue 
constantly vacant. We have then 250 churches whose maintenance may be deemed 
a steady charge upon the people. 

In the maintenance of the churches, we include all the expenditures for religious 
purposes, comprehending the sums conventionally paid to the pastors, the donations 
of every kind, made directly to them or for their use, the amount expended in the 
erection and repair of churches, and in aids to bible missionary and tract societies ; 
and we, upon consultation with distinguished clergymen of various denominations, 
set down as an average expenditure for each church, the sum of $480 per annum, 
which, multiplied by 250 churches, make the actual charge of $120,000, upon the*- 
state for all the expenses of religion, and which we consider sufficiently liberal to 
cover the expenses of the Society of Friends for the like purpose. The Quakers, 
have no salaried clergy; and the expenses of their association consist of the very 
small sums requisite to keep their meeting houses and grave yards inrepair, and the 
contributions for the support and education of their poor members. Demands of this 
kind are rare and occasional, only; and the interest of funds vested for schools, by 
Friends, has been employed in the education of the poor children of other denomi- 
nations. 

In addition to the 356 churches of all'denominations, which the State contains, the 
inhabitants have exemplified their disposition to sustain and improve their moral 
condition, by the establishment of bible societies, missionary societies, Sunday school 
unions, and temperance societies. In every county there are bible societies, in 
most, considerable sums are collected for the missionary cause, and almost every 
thickly settled neighbourhood has its Sunday school. Temperance societies, in 
many districts, have effectually bruised the head of the icorm of the still. 

The cultivation of literature and science has, until of late years, been too little 
regarded ; but not less, than in the adjacent and more wealthy states. Yet in the 
higher departments the " College of New Jersey," at Princeton, has for more than 
eighty years maintained a reputation unsurpassed in the Union; Rutger's College, 
at New Brunswick, has, for several years, been in successful operation ; academies 
have been established in most of the county towns and large villages; and common 
schools are every where seen in populous districts. The " School Fund," which has 
lately been established, will rapidly increase, and will, at nc distant day, furnish 



I 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 85 

means to teach the rudiments of science to the whole population. We proceed to 
give a more particular notice of the colleges and the school fund. 

The " College of New Jersey" was first incorporated in the year 1746, and in 
1748 obtained, through the aid of Governor Belcher, an ample and liberal charter 
from George II. , which, after the revolution, was confirmed by the legislature of this 
State. The institution was located, first, at Elizabethtown, under the direction of the 
Rev. Jonathan Dickenson. Upon his death, in 1748, it was removed to New- 
ark, and the Rev. Aaron Burr became its president. In the year 1756, it was per- 
manently established at Princeton, whither president Burr removed with his pupils, 
and where for nearly eighty years it has maintained a higli and unvarying repu- 
tation, as a seat of literature and science; and, with occasional diminution of num- 
bers, has continued to command a large share of public confidence and patronao-e. 

The present number of under graduates (1833) is one hundred and forty-four. 
The faculty consists of a president, seven professors, and three tutors. 

Provision is made for imparting instruction in the Greek, Latin, French, Spanish, 
German, Italian, and English languages ; in mathematics, (the study of which is 
pursued to an extent, not excelled by any college in the country,) in natural philoso- 
phy, in chemistry, and the various branches of natural history ; in belles lettres, in 
mental and moral philosophy, in logic, political economy, natural theology, the evi- 
dences of Christianity, and the exposition of the holy scriptures ; in anatomy and 
physiology, in architecture, and civil engineering. The libraries of the colleore, and 
two literary societies connected with it, contain about twelve thousand volumes. The 
college has a very valuable philosophical and chemical apparatus, a museum of 
natural history, a small anatomical museum, and a mineralogical cabinet. 

The principal edifice, called Nassau Hall, is one hundred and seventy-six feet long, 
fifty wide, and four stories high, and is used chiefly for the lodging of students : 
another building, erected for the same purpose in 1833, is one hundred and twelve 
feet in length, and four stories high. There are two other buildings, each sixty-six feet 
in length, by thirty-six in breadth, and three stories high. One of them contains the li- 
brary and recitation rooms ; the other the refectory, museum, and chemical laboratory. 

There are also, at Princeton, several other literary institutions, (see Princeton,) 
among which, the theological seminary claims the first place. 

This school was founded by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of 
the United States, and is under its control and patronage. The plan of the insti- 
tution was formed in 1811, and carried into eff'ect in May, 1812, by the appoint- 
ment of trustees, and a professor of didactic and polemical theology. The latter 
•was inaugurated, and entered upon his duties, with three students only, on the 12th 
August following. In May, of 1813, a professor of ecclesiastical history was 
named, and ten years afterwards, the plan was completed by the nomination of a 
professor of oriental and biblical literature. 

The edifice for the use of the seminary, commenced in 1813 and rendered habit- 
able in the autumn of 1817, is of stone, one hundred and fifty feet long, fifty wide, 
and four stories high, including the basement; and is regarded as a model of econo- 
-mical, neat, and tasteful architecture. Besides the apartments for the library, reci- 
tations, refectory, and the steward, there are accommodations for eighty students. 

This institution is conducted on very liberal principles ; for, though founded and 
supported by the Presbyterian church, and primarily intended to promote the train- 
ing of a pious and learned ministry for that church, students of all Christian denomi- 
nations are admitted into a full participation of its benefits, upon equal terms. It is 
wholly unconnected with the college, but enjoys, by contract, the free use of the 
college library. 

The funds of the institution, though considerable, are yet inadequate to the full 
support of its officers. The endowment of four professorships has been commenced 
but none is fully completed. Twenty-three scholarships have been founded, by as 
many benevolent individuals, and maintain that number of poor and pious youth, in 
•a course of theological study. There are, here, two public libraries; one called after 
the Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D. L. L. D., one of the most ardent and liberal of its 
contributors ; and the other presented by the synod of the Associate Reformed Church 
and named ihe " Mason Library," in honour of the Rev. John M. Mason, D. D. by 
whose exertions, chiefly, it was collected. The former contains six, and the latter 
four thousand volumes. 

The course of study is extended through three years. The first is devoted to the 
^Hebrew language, exegetical study of the scriptures, biblical criticism, biblical anti- 



86 GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

quities, introduction to the study of the scriptures, mental and moral science, evi- 
dences of natural and revealed religion, sacred chronology, and biblical history. 
The second to the continued exegetical study of the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, 
and to didactic theology and ecclesiastical history. The third to polemic theology, 
church government, pastoral theology, composition and delivery of sermons. The 
classes are distinguished, numerically, into First, Second and Third. The members 
of the first, or highest class, are required to exhibit original compositions, once in 
two weeks ; those of the second class, once in three weeks ; and those of the third 
class, once in four weeks. 

There are three vacations in each year. The first of six weeks, from the first 
Thursday of May ; the second of six weeks, from the last Wednesday of September ; 
and the third of two weeks, in the month of Feb., at the discretion of the professors. 

Board may be obtained at various prices, from $1 25 to $1 75 per week j fire- 
wood from $4 to $6 per annum; washing, $7; each student pays to the seminary 
$10 per annum, towards the general expense fund ; but there is no charge for tui- 
tion, use of library, &c. The number of students on the catalogue of the institution 
for the current year (1833) is 132. 

Rutgers' College, located at New Brunswick, was chartered by George III. in 

1770, and was called Queen's College, in honour of his consort. The present name 
was substituted by the legislature of the State, in 1825, at request of the trustees, 
in honour of Col. Henry Rutgers, of New York, to whom the institution is indebted 
for liberal pecuniary benefactions. The charter was originally granted to such Pro- 
testants as had adopted the constitution of the reformed churches in the Netherlands, 
as revised by the national synod of Dordrecht, in the years 1618 and 1619. That 
synod, composed of distinguished delegates from almost all denominations of Protes- 
tant Europe, formed one of the most august ecclesiastical assemblies of modern 
times. Their doctrines as embodied in the confession of faith and catechisms of the 
Reformed Dutch Church in America, substantially comports with the 39 articles of 
the church of England, and entirely with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church 
in the United States ; and the government of the church is strictly Presbyterian. 
This denomination of Christians is established chiefly in New York, New Jersey, 
and Pennsylvania. In the city of New York, alone, it has twelve churches, in 
which divine worship has long been exclusively conducted in the English language. 

Dr. Jacob R. Hardenburg, an American, was appointed first president of the col- 
lege, in 1789; he was distinguished by a powerful mind, great piety and industry, 
and success in the ministry. He died in 1792. 

The Theological College of the Reformed Dutch Church is established here, and 
intimately blended with the literary institution. At a meeting in New York, Oct. 

1771, of Coetus and Confercntie, until then, contending parties in the church, peace 
was restored, and a plan laid for the organization of this, the first theological school j 
in America. Its completion, however, was delayed by the revolutionary war, until 
1784, when the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, was chosen professor of didactic and 
polemical theology, who performed the duties of this office, in New York, in con- 
nexion with his pastoral services. In 1807, by a covenant between the trustees and 
the synod, the professorate was united with the college; of which, in 1810, Dr. 
Livingston was chosen president, on the death of Dr. Ira Condict. The duties of 
the literary institution were at this time suspended, for want of funds. Dr. Li- 
vingston died, 20th January, 1825, in the 79th year of his age, the 55th of his mi- 
nistry, and the 41st of his professorial labours. 

At a general synod, convened at Albany, in February, 1825, the Rev. Philip 
Milledoler, D. D., was chosen professor of didactic and polemical theology ; and in 
the September following, was elected, by the trustees, president of the college, and 
professor of the evidences of Christianity and moral philosoph3^ At the same time 
a plan was matured for reviving the literary institution; by which, one of the theo- 
logical professors must always be chosen president of the college, and each of such 
professors must hold a professorship therein, and be a member of its faculty. 

The effect of this amalgamation of theology and literature, is said to liave been' 
highly favourable to the moral character of the institution, and not to have imparted 
to it a sectarian influence. 

The college edifice, of dark red freestone, is a handsome spacious building, sur- 
mounted by a cupola. It is reared on an eminence near the town, a site of great 
beauty, presented to the institution by the honourable James Parker, of Amboy. 
The views from thence, embracing great variety of scenery, of mountain and vnlley, 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 87 

forest and river, are delightfully picturesque, and the country is as healthy as it is 
lovely. The institution may be considered in a flourishing condition. The number 
of students in September, 1833, was eighty, with the prospect of much increase 
during the session. The charge for board and tuition is about $125 per annum. 
The students board in respectable private families, under the supervision of the 
faculty, where their habits, morals, and manners are duly regarded. The number of 
students in theology has varied from si.xteen to thirty. There are three libraries ; 
that of the college is large and valuable, and those pertaining to the Peithesopian 
and Philoclean Societies, are respectable. The cabinet of minerals is considerable, 
and increasing ; and the philosophical and chemical apparatus extensive. 

The faculty (in 1833) consists of the Rev. Philip Milledoler, D. D., president, 
professor of moral philosophy and didactic and polemical theology ; the Rev. Jacob J. 
Janewatj, D. D. vice president and professor of rhetoric, evidences of Christianity, 
political economy, «fcc.; the Rev. James S. Cannon, D. D., professor of metaphysics 
and philosophy of the human mind, of ecclesiastical liistory, church government, 
and pastoral theology ; Theodore Strong, A. A. S., C. A. S., professor of mathematics 
and natural philosophy; the Rev. Mexander M' Clelland, D. D., professor of oriental 
and biblical literature; Lewis Black, M. D., professor of chemistry and natural his- 
tory ; John D. Ogilbij, A. M., professor of languages; and Frederic Ogilby, A. B., 
assistant instructor of languages. 

The grammar school attached to the college, and under the immediate inspection 
of the trustees and faculty, is committed to the rectorship of the Rev. Cornelius 
D. JVeslbrook, D. D., assisted by Isaac A. Blauvelt, A. M., an alumnus of the college. 

The location of this college equidistant from Philadelphia and New York, the 
healthfulness and beauty of the adjacent country, the excellent morals which prevail 
in the city as in the college, the high character and capability of the professors, and 
the cheapness of tuition and subsistence, give this institution strong claims to the 
attention of the public. 

The first step towards the establishment of the school fund of this State, com- 
menced with the act of 9th February, 1816, which directed the treasurerto in- 
vest in the public six per cent, stocks of the United States, the sum of $15,000, 
arising from the payment of the funded debt, and from the dividends on the stock 
held by the State in the Trenton Bank ; and at the end of every year, to invest the 
interest on the capital, in the same manner. 

On the 12th February of the succeeding year, the " Act to create a fund for free 
schools" was passed, setting apart the stock and its accumulations vested under the 
act of 1816 ; the dividends on the stock held by the State, in the Cumberland Bank, 
and in the Newark Turnpike Company, the proceeds of tlie sale of a house and lot, 
in New Brunswick, the property of the State, and one-tenth part of all monies, there- 
after raised by tax for State use; and the treasurer was instructed to vest these as 
they came to his hands, in the public stocks of the United States. By the act of 12th 
February, 1818, the governor, vice-president of council, speaker of assembly, the 
attorney general, and secretary of state, for the time being, were appointed " Trus- 
tees for the support of Free Schools;" and the treasurer was directed to transfer 
to them the school funds, to be by them applied in the mode to be prescribed by the 
State, reserving to the legislature the authority to change the existing fund, and to 
dissolve the trust at pleasure; and requiring an account of the fund to be annually 
laid before the legislature. This act made the following additions to the fund. — 
The balance of the old six per cent, stock, due 12th February, 1817, with the 
interest and reimbursement thereof since 9th Feb., 1816; the three per cent, stock 
of the U. States, belonging to the State on the 12th February, 1817; the shares of the 
State in the Trenton and Cumberland Banks, with the dividends since 9th February, 
1816; all monies receivable from the foregoing items, future appropriations, and 
such gifts and grants, bequests and devises, as should be made for the purposes con- 
templated by the act; and one-tenth part of the State tax for the year 1817. The 
last appropriation, being, specifically, one-tenth of the tax, has been construed as 
, repealing the general appropriation on the tax under the act of 1817. 
( The fund thus augmented and transferred to the trustees amounted to $113,233 78, 
.and consisted of the following sums : — 

1st. Six per cent, stock U. States, purchased under the law of 1816, $15,000 00 

2d. Six percent, stock United States, purchased under act 1817, 16,224 15 

3d. Stock in Newark Turnpike Company, .... 12,500 00 

4th. Three per cent, stock of United States, .... 7,00912 



^ 



m/rp 



88 ^J^ GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 

5th. Interest, and reimbursement, of the principal of the deferred six 

per cent, stock of United States, ----- 7,810 7'd 

6th. Twelve hundred,shares Trenton Bank stock, - - - 36,000 00 
7th. Forty shares in the Cumberland Bank, - - - - 2,000 00 

8th. Interest and dividends from the several stocks since 9th Feb. 1816, 10,429 66 
9th. Cash and one-tenth of State tax for 1817, - - . - 6,265 12 

Since 1818, there have been added to the principal of the fund the following 
items by legislative appropriation : — 

1st. Proceeds of sale of the State House in Jersey City, 
2d. Twenty-two shares in Sussex Bank, . - . - - 
3d. Donation from William J. Bell & Co. .... 

4th. Bonus of People's Bank at Paterson, reed. 26th Sept. 1825, 
5th. Bonus from Monmouth Bank, 9th June, 1825, 
6th. Sale of part of a lot in Trenton, ..... 

7th. Under the act 28th December, 1824, one-tenth of State tax, and 
tax on Monmouth bank for the year 1826, . . - 

Same, 1827, 

Same, 1828, 

8th. Under the act 5th March, 1828, repealing act of 28th December, 
1824, and in lieu of one-tenth of the State tax, giving all the tax 
from banking, insurance and other incorporated companies, which, 
in the year 1829, amounted to ----- 11,709 58 

And estimated to produce, annually, $10,000. 



54,907 


64 


1000 


00 


23 


15 


4,000 


00 


800 


00 


1,061 


00 


2,200 


00 


2,200 


00 


3,200 


00 



$31,101 37 



Making whole amount of appropriations by legislature, in 1830, $144,240 15 

In the management of the fund, great advantage has arisen from the act of 18th 
Feb. 1829, directing the investment of the annual income in advance, by which the 
trustees were empowered, to invest on or before the first of March, annually, an 
amount equal to the estimated receipts of the fund during the year, to be advanced 
by the State treasurer, and to be replaced by him as the monies accruing from the 
fund shall be received; thus enabling the trustees to invest at one time all the in- 
come of the year. 

The sources of income of the school fund, are now, the dividends on the various 
stock which the trustees hold, and which, in October 1832, amounted to $228,611 75. 
And the annual tax of half per cent, upon the dividends of the several bank and in- 
surance companies of the State, which amounts annually to near $11,000. 

The first exj)enditure which has been directed out of the fund, was by the " act 
establishing common schools," passed 21st February, 1829, appropriating annually 
$20,000 from the income of the fund, for the establishment and maintenance of 
schools. This act was altered and amended by the act of 1st March, 1830. But both 
acts were repealed by that of 16th February, 1831, by which the system of common 
schools is now regulated. That act appropriates $20,000 annually, from the in- 
come of the school fund, to the establishment and maintenance of such schools; and 
directs, in case such annual income shall not have been received in full on the first 
Monday of April, or shall be insufficient to cover the appropriation, the trustees to 
draw from the State treasury for the deficiency ; such amount to be replaced from- 
the annual receipts of the school fund. The act further provides, that the trustees 
shall apportion the sum, so appropriated, among the several counties, in the ratio of 
their taxes paid for the support of government, and shall file a list of'such apportion- 
ment with the treasurer, that he may notify the collectors of the several counties, to 
draw for the same ; that the boards of chosen freeholders, of the respective coun-. 
ties, shall at their annual meetings, apportion among the several townships, the mo- - 
nies received by the collectors, in the ratio of the county tax paid by the several 
townships, a list of which apportionments,'the clerk of the freeholders is required, to 
file, to deliver a copy thereof, to the county collector, and to notify the collectors 
of the several townships of the amounts so apportioned, suce collectors report such 
amounts to the inhabitants, at their next annual town meeting; that; may, (and they 
are recommended so to do,) at such meetings, raise, by tax or otlierwise, such addi- 
tional sum for the same object, as they may deem proper ; and may authorize the 
township collector, to draw on the county collector, for the amount apportioned, and 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 89 

may apply the sum received from the State, to schooling the indigent poor of the town- 
ship, if they so elect ; that the inhabitants at their town meetings, annually, shall 
choose, as other town officers are chosen, three or more persons, who shall constitute 
the school committee, and whose duty is to recognise and ascertain the number of 
common schools within their respective townships ; that the patrons, supporters, or 
proprietors of the several common schools in the respective townships, be authorized to 
organize such schools, by the appointment of a board of trustees, in such form, and 
consisting of such number, as they may deem proper ; and any board of trustees so or- 
ganized shall transmit to the school committee, of the proper township, a certificate of 
its organization, and shall thereon be recognised by the committee as entitled to an ap- 
portionment of the monies assigned to such township from the school fund. And 
such trustees are required to render to the school committees, on or before the first 
Monday of April, annually, a statement of the average number of scholars resident 
in the township, taught in such school during each quarter of the preceding year, 
and where from convenience, scholars from an adjoining township attend such 
school, to report their number &c. to the school committee of such adjoining town- 
ship; to visit and inspect the affairs of their respective schools, to apply the mo- 
nies received, at discretion, for their benefit, and at the end of every year, to exhibit 
to the school committee, a correct account of the expenditure of such monies; that 
the school committees, at or before the end of their term of service, shall apportion 
the whole of the monies assigned to their respective townships, and raised therein, 
among such common schools, in the ratio of the number of scholars reported to 
them, respectively, during the preceding year; or where any township may elect to 
appropriate such funds exclusively to the education of the poor, to apportion the 
same among the several schools, in proportion to the number of poor children taught; 
and shall draw in favour of the boards of trustees respectively, for the amount 
of their several dividends, on the town collector; and shall on or before the first 
Wednesday of May, yearly, transmit to the clerk of the board of chosen freeholders 
of their respective counties, a written statement, embracing 'he number of common 
schools duly organized within their respective townships, the number of scholars 
taught therein, the amount of the monies received by tliem from the township col- 
lector, and raised by the township, and the manner in which the same has been ap- 
plied ; that such plerk shall condense such statements into a report, in writing, and 
transmit the same to the trustees of the school fund, to be laid before the legislature, 
in a condensed form. No compensation is allowed under this act. 

It will be observed, that in framing this system, no attempt has been made to co- 
erce the respective townships into raising monies, in addition to their allotted share 
of the sum appropriated from the school fund ; but, in accordance with the spirit of 
the government of the State, which considers the townships as integral corporations, 
whose inhabitants are competent to judge of their wants, and possess the means to 
supply them, the legislature has, we think, wisely left with each township, the li- 
berty to tax itself for the purposes of education, as to it may seem meet; whilst 
it has promptly offered all the aid which it has to bestow. It is possible, that learn- 
ing may advance less rapidly, than if urged by a forced culture ; but we are not sure, 
that the happiness of the people will be less promoted. We would not be under- 
stood to mean that literature is not a source of happiness; but it is not the only one. 
He who is compelled to a diet which is unacceptable to his appetite, will not boast 
of his enjoyment; and we have no difficulty in determining, which is the most hos- 
pitable host, he who forces manna upon the revolting stomach of his guest, or he, 
who, placing the dish before him, permits him to eat at pleasure, whilst he expa- 
tiates upon its agreeable and nourishing properties. None, properly instructed, 
would reject the joys of paradise; but, were paradise a prison, we should long to 
leap its crystal walls. Emulation, we think, will soon be awakened among the 
townships of each county, and among the counties, upon this all-important subject; 
and although the sum of ^20,000 is a small one to distribute among a population of 
330,000 souls, it will have one excellent effect; it will turn, periodically, the at- 
tention of the people to the means of mental improvement, will set them to com- 
pare their condition with that of their neighbours, and when inferior, to improve it. 
For it may be taken as a truism, that when the people are at liberty to consider and 
improve their condition, they will, when dissatisfied, amend it. 

Among the provisions for enlightening the public mind, we may justly include 
those for publishing the laws, not only of the State, but also of the general govern- 

M 



90 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



merit. The act of 7th June, 1820, directs : 1st, That the secretary of state shall 
cause the laws of the State to be published immediately after the passing thereof, 
in one of the public newspapers, of the city of Trenton ; and that they shall also be 
published in a pamphlet form, together with the votes and proceedings of assembly, 
the journals of council, and minutes of joint meetings, and delivered by the printer 
within sixty days from the rising of the legislature, to the State treasurer, who shall 
distribute them in the following manner, at the expense of the State, viz : — to him- 
self, two copies ; to the governor, for himself, three copies, and also to be forwarded 
by him, and presented to the secretary of state of the United States, four copies ; to 
the executive of each state, and territory of the United States, for the use of the 
executives and legislatures, three copies ; to each of the senators, and representa- 
tives of this State, in congress, one copy; to the president of the American Anti- 
quarian Society, one copy ; to the justices of the Supreme Court, the attorney ge- 
neral, secretary of state, clerk of council, assembly, Courts of Chancery and Su- 
preme Court, each one copy; to the clerk of the council, for the use of council 
and assembly, sixty copies; and the remainder among the several counties in the 
ratio they contribute to the support of the government, directed to the county 
collector. The county collector, retaining a copy for himself, transmits, at the ex- 
pense of the county, one set of the laws and proceedings, to each of the following 
officers: — the judges and clerk of the Common Pleas, the justices of the peace, the 
magistrates of corporate towns, the sheriff, surrogate, clerk of the board of chosen 
freeholders, and the representatives of the county in the legislature, and each incor- 
porated library company ; and divides the remainder among the several townships 
of the county, transmitting equal proportions to the clerk of each township, who, 
retaining one copy for the use of the township, causes the residue to be distributed 
among the officers of the township, giving preference in the following order : — to 
the assessor, collector, chosen freeholders, and overseers of the poor, each one set. 

The laws of the United States, apportioned to this State by Congress, are distributed 
by the treasurer, at the expense of the State ; to himself, to the governor, attorney 
general, justices of Supreme Court, secretary of state, members of the legislature, 
each one set ; to the clerk of council, and the clerk of the assembly, four sets ; to the 
librarians of Princeton college, and to the two library societies in the college, each 
one set ; and the remainder, among the counties in proportion to their quota of State 
taxes, to be transmitted to the collectors, and by them distributed to the clerk and 
judges of the court of Common Pleas, each one set, and to every public library one 
.set; and the residue, as may be directed by the board of chosen freeholders. 

Reports of the decisions of the Supreme and Chancery Courts are annually pre- 
pared by officers appointed by the legislature for a term of five years, who re- 
ceive a compensation of $200 per annum. Such reports are printed, and distri- 
buted, annually, with the pamphlet laws. 

Lastly, and certainly not least, among the agents of moral improvement, we must 
rank the periodical journals of the State. The commonwealth partakes largely in 
the benefits flowing from the press, in the cities of Philadelphia and New York, and 
we therefore might suppose would not extensively encourage newspapers within her 
own boundaries; yet she has not less than thirty-one weekly papers, engaged in 
sowing broadcast tlie germs of literature and science. Of these useful auxiliaries 
we annex the following table. 



NEWSPAPERS. 

Bergen County Courier, 
Sussex Register, 
N. J. Herald, 
Belvidere Apollo, 
Warren Journal, 
Palladium of Liberty, 
Jerseyman, 
Rah way Advocate, 
Fredonian, 
Times, 

Sentinel of Freedom, 
Daily Advertiser, 
Newark Monitor, 
Do. Eagle, 



Hall, 

Grant Fitch, 
Franklin Ferguson, 
Fitch & Co. 
John R. Eyres, 
Robbins, 
Thomas Green, 
Randolph and Carman, 

George Bush &Co. 

S. L. B. Baldwin, 
Bartlett and Crowell, 



WHERE PUBLISHED. 

Jersey City, Bergen Co. 
NewtOTi, Sussex Co. 

Do. do. 
Belvidere, Warren Co. 

Do. do. 

Morristown, Morris Co. 

Do. do. 

Rahway, Middlesex. 
New Brunswick, do. 

Do. do. 

Newark, Essex. 

Do. do. 

Do. do. 

Do. do. 



LITERARY INSTITUTIONS. 



91 



Princeton Courier, 
American System, 
Somerset Messenger, 
State Gazette, 
National Union, 
Emporium, 
Hunterdon Gazette, 
Monmouth Enquirer, 
Burlington Herald, 
Mount Holly Mirror, 
Camden Mail, 
National Republican, 
Village Herald, 
Salem Statesman, 
Do. Messenger, 
Washington Whig, 
Bridgeton Observer, 



Baker and Connolly, 
J. Robinson & Co. 
Gore and Allison, 
George Sherman, 

E. B. Adams, 
Joseph Justice, 
Chas. George, 
John J. Bartleson, 
Joseph Pugh, 
Nathan Palmer, 
Sickler and Ham, 
Josiah Harrison, 
Joseph Sailor, 

H. H. Elwell, 
Elijah Brooks, 
Nelson and Powers, 

F. Pierson, 



Princeton, Somerset. 

Do. do. 

Somerville, do. 
Trenton, Hunterdon. 

Do. do. 

Do. do. 

Flemington, do. 
Freehold, Monmouth, 
Mount Holly, Burlington. 

Do. do. 

Camden, Gloucester. 

Do. do. 

Woodbury, do. 
Salem, Salem. 

Do. do. 
Bridgeton, Cumberland. 

Do. do. 



GAZETTEER OF NEW JERSEY. 



^^"►►© ^5 OMn* 



ACQ 

Absecum, post town of Galloway 1 
t-ship, Gloucester CO., 50 miles S. E. 
from Woodbury, 95 from Trenton, ! 
and 105 from W. C, upon Absecum 
creek, about two miles above Abse- 
cum bay, contains a tavern, store, 
and 8 or 10 dwellings, surrounded 
by sand, and pine forest. 

Absecum Creek rises by several 
branches, on the line between Gallo- 
way and Egg Harbour t-ship, Glou- 
cester CO., and flows S. E., by a 
course of 8 or 9 miles, into Abse- 
cum bay. It gives motion to several 
saw mills. 

Absecum Bay, a salt marsh lake, 
Gloucester co., on the line of Egg 
Harbour and Galloway t-ship, cir- 
cular in form, and about 2 miles in 
diameter, communicating with Reed's 
bay, and by a broad channel, called 
Absecum Inlet, 4 miles in length, with 
the ocean. 

Absecum Beach, on the Atlantic 
Ocean; extends, eastwardly, from 
Great Egg Harboiu' Inlet, about 9 
miles to Absecum Inlet ; broken, how- 
ever, by a narrow inlet, near mid- 
way between its extremities. 

Ackermaii's Run, small stream, 2 
miles long, flowing to the Passaic 
River, about 3 miles below Pater- 
son, from Saddle River t-ship, Ber- 
gen CO. 

Acquackanonck, t-ship, Essex co., 
bounded on the N. W., N. E. and 
E. by the Passaic river, which forms 
a semi-ellipsis, N. by Paterson t-ship, 
and S. by Bloomficld and Caldwell 
t-ships ; centrally distant, N. from 
Newark, 10 miles; greatest length, 
E. and W. 7, breadth N. and S. 6* 
miles; area abotit 14,000 acres. 
Mountainous on the W., rolling on the 
E. ; soil red shale, and where well 
cultivated, productive. Acquackan- 
onck, Little Falls, and Weasel are 



ALA 

villages, of the t-ship; the two first, 
post towns. Acquackanonck, on the 
Passaic river, distant 5 miles S. E. 
of Paterson, is at the head of tide 
water, and consequently the outport 
of Paterson. Pop. in 1830, about 
1,300. In 1832, the t-ship contained :J 
300 taxables, 125 householders, 47 
single men, 7 merchants, 6 grist 
mills, 2 cotton factories, 5 saw mills, / 
1 paper mill, 13 tan vats, one print- ', 
ing and bleaching establishment, 1 
woollen factory, 345 horses and ' 
mules, and 766 neat cattle above 3 
years of age; and it paid state tax, 
$230 62 cents; county, $607 37 c; 
poor, $500; and road, $700. Aquack- 
anonck town is a p-t, 8 miles N. E. 
of Newark, 224 from W. C, 58 from 
Trenton, 10 from New York, to which 
there is a turnpike and rail road. It 
contains 3 taverns, 6 stores, about 
80 dwellings, and a Dutch Reformed 
church ; has six sloops trading with 
New York. A small stream, which 
may be termed the Fourth river, runs 
near the town, and gives motion to se- 
veral mills. Blatchley's mineral 
spring lies about 1^ miles W. of the 
town. This is the depot of lumber for 
the neighbourhood. , 

AlamucJie, p-t. of Independence 
t-ship, Warren co., on the eastern part ' 
of the t-ship ; by the post route 228 
miles N. E. of W. C, and 65 from ~ 
Trenton, and 17 from Belvidere the 
C. T.; seated on a small tributary of 
Request creek, and near a lake of the 
same name, contains a grist and saw 
mill, a grain distillery, a store, tavern, 
and 12 or 15 dwellings. It is sur- 
rounded by a limestone soil of excel- 
lent quality, well cultivated. 

Alamuche Lake is one of the many 
mountain ponds which characterize 
this country, and which are, in many 
cases, reservoirs formed in limestone 



ALL 



93 



ALL 



rock. This is about a mile in diame- 
ter, and sends forth a tributary to the 
Pequest creek. 

Alamuche Mountain is one of the 
chain of hills which bounds the valley 
of the Musconetcong creek in War- 
ren county. 

Alberson's Brook, a tributary of 
Spruce Run, a fork of the south 
branch of the Raritan river, rises at 
the south foot of the Musconetcong 
mountain, and flows easterly by a 
course of 7 or 8 miles to its reci- 
pient. 

Alexandria, p-t. of Alexandria 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., on the bank of 
the Delaware river, at the junction of 
Nischisakawick creek with that 
stream, 11 miles W. of Flemington, 
35 N. of Trenton, 189 from W. C; 
contains a tavern, store, grist mill, 
and 8 or 10 dwellings, a Presbyte- 
rian and an Episcopalian church. 

Alexandria t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded on the N. E. by Bethlehem 
t-ship, N. W. by the Musconetcong 
creek, which separates it from War- 
ren CO., and S. W. by the river Dela- 
ware; centrally distant, N. E. from 
Flemington, 12 miles ; greatest length, 
E. and W., 12 miles ; breadth, N. and 
S., 9 miles ; area 33,000 acres. Sur- 
face on the N., mountainous, the 
Musconetcong mountain running N. 
W. across the t-ship. Soil, on the S. 
E., red shale ; at the foot of the moun- 
tain, grey limestone; and on the 
mountain, clay, sand and loam. It is 
drained, S. W. by the Nischisakawick, 
the Hakehokake, and other small 
mill streams. Alexandria, Milford, 
Mount Pleasant, and Pittstown are 
p-towns of the t-ship. Pop., in 1830, 
3,042. In 1832, the t-ship contained 
10 saw mills, 7 grist mills, 4 oil 
mills, 4 ferries and toll bridges, 6 
distilleries, 8 stores, 861 horses, 1287 
neat cattle above the age of 3 years ; 
and it paid poor tax, $1000; road 
tax, $800 ; and state and county tax, 
$1413 48 cents. 

Allentown, p-t. of Upper Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co., near the west- 
ern line of the county, between Doc- 
tor creek and Indian run, on the road 



from Bordentown to Freehold, 8 miles 
from the former and 18 from the lat- 
ter, 177 from W. C, and 11 from 
Trenton; contains from 75 to 80 
dwellings; 1 Presbyterian church, 
with cupola and bell, handsomely si- 
tuated on the hill on the west; an 
academy, 2 schools, 1 Methodist 
Church, grist mill, saw mill, and tilt 
mill, on Doctor creek, and saw mill 
on Indian run; below which, at a 
short distance west of the town, is a 
cotton manufactory. This is a com- 
pact pleasant village, with some very 
good frame and brick houses ; but the 
lands ai'ound are sandy, and not of 
the best quality. A considerable 
business is done in the town. 

Alexsocken Creek, a small mill 
stream of Amwell t-ship, Hunterdon 
CO., which flows westerly into the 
Delaware river, by a course of 5 or 
6 miles, about a mile above Lam- 
bertville. 

Alloways Creek, Salem co., rises 
in the N. W. angle of Pittsgrove 
t-ship, and flows by a S. W. course 
of more than 20 miles, through Up- 
per and Lower Alloways, and Elsin- 
borough t-ships, to the Delaware ri- 
ver, below Reedy island. It is na- 
vigable above AUowaystown, in Up- 
per Alloways t-ship, a distance of 
about twelve miles from the mouth, 
for wood shallops; along its margin 
for about 10 miles, are some excellent 
banked meadows. 

AUowaystown, p-t. of Upper Al- 
loways t-ship, Salem co., about 7 
miles E. of Salem, 177 N. E. from 
W. C, and 71 S. from Trenton ; con- 
tains from 70 to 80 dwellings, 2 ta- 
verns, 4 or 5 stores, 1 Methodist, 
and 1 Baptist church. The Messrs. 
Reeves, have here 2 veiy powerful 
saw mills, engaged principally in 
cutting ship timber, and a valuable 
grist mill, on the Alloways creek. 
They employ from 75 to 100 horses 
in drawing timber &c., to their works. 

Alloways Creek, Upper, t-ship, 
Salem co., bounded N. E. by Pitts- 
grove t-ship, S. E. by Deerfield, 
Hopewell, and Stow creek t-ships, 
Cumberland co.; S. W. by Lower 



1 



ALL 



94 



AND 



Alloways creek t-ship, and N. W. 
by Elsinborough and Mannington 
t-ships; centrally distant, S. E. irom 
Salem 7 miles. Greatest length 
E. and W. 10^, breadth N. and S. 9 
miles. Area, about 34,000 acres; 
of which more than 10,000 are unim- 
proved. Soil upon the N. E., stiff 
clay and loam; on the S. E. sand 
and gravelly loam, with rolling sur- 
face. The forest known as the 
** Barrens," runs here, producing 
much white oak and pine wood for 
market, which finds its way to Phi- 
ladelphia, by Alloways creek. By 
the census of 1830, the township 
contained 2136 inhabitants, and by 
the assessor's abstract of 1832, 415 
taxables, 5 grist mills, 10 saw 
mills, 2 carding machines, 1 ful- 
ling mill, 2 distilleries, 416 horses 
and mules, and 854 neat cattle, 
upwards of 3 years old; and it 
paid t-ship tax, $400; county tax, 
$834 10; State tax, $218 74. The 
t-ship is drained by Alloways creek, 
which runs centrally through it, by a 
S. W. course, and by Stow creek, 
which forms part of the southern 
boundary. AUowaystown and Quin- 
ton's Bridge, are villages and post- 
towns of the t-ship. Guineatown is 
a name given to a few negro huts, on 
the northern boundary. Friesburg, 
lies near the south line. 

Alloioays Creek, Louder, t-ship, 
Salem co., bounded N. by Elsinbo- 
rough, Salem and Upper Alloways 
creek t-ships; on the E. by Upper 
Alloways creek t-ship ; on the S. by 
Stow creek, which divides it from 
Stow creek and Greenwich t-ships, 
of Cumberland co., on the W. by 
the river Delaware ; centrally distant, 
S. from Salem, 9 miles; greatest 
length N. and S. 12 miles; breadth 
E. and W. 9 miles; area, about 
30,000 acres ; surface level ; soil on 
the W. for more than half the t-ship, 
marsh meadow, much of which is 
embanked; and on the E. a deep 
clay and loam well cultivated. It is 
drained by Alloways creek on the 
N., and Stow creek on the S., and 
by Hope creek, Deep creek, and 



Muddy creek, small streams which 
flow into the Delaware, from the 
marsh between them. Pop. of the 
t-ship by census of 1830, 1222. By 
the assessor's abstract of 1832, it con- 
tained 260 taxables, 3 stores, 2 grist 
mills, 2 distilleries, 255 horses and 
mules, and 881 neat cattle above 3 
years old. It has 3 schools, 1 Metho- 
dist, and 1 Friend's meeting house. 

Amboy. See South Amboy, Perth 
Amboy. 

Amwell t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded N. by Lebanon t-ship, N. 
E. by Readington t-ship, E. by Hills- 
borough t-ship, of Somerset |C0., S. 
E. by Hopewell t-ship, and S. W. by 
the river Delaware, and N. W. by 
Ringwood t-ship. Greatest length 
N. and S. 16; breadth E. and W. 
15 miles; area, 77,000 acres; sur- 
face hilly on the N. W. and S. E. ; 
on the first, there being a clay ridge 
well timbered and productive, and on 
the latter, a chain of trap hills, rough, 
broken, and barren. The interven- 
ing space is undulating valley, of red 
shale, which, where covered with suf- 
ficient soil, is grateful for the care 
bestowed upon it, producing particu- 
larly fine crops of grass. The t-ship 
is drained on the N. E. by the south 
branch of the Raritan, on the N. W. 
by the Laokatong and Wickheche- 
coke creeks; S. W. by the Alex- 
socken and Smith's creeks, on the 
S. by Stony brook, flowing easterly 
to the Raritan river. Pop. in 1830, 
7385; in 1832, the t-ship contained 

2 Presbyterian churches, 4 stores, 8 
fisheries, 15 sawmills, 21 grist mills, 

3 oil mills, 2 ferries and toll bridges, 
88 tan vats, 12 distilleries, 4 carding 
machines, 2 fulling mills; and it 
paid poor tax, $1200; road tax, 
$2500 ; State and county taXj 
$3722 62. Flemington, Sergeants- ' 
ville, Ringoes, Prallsville, Lamberts- | 
ville, are p-ts. of the t-ship. 

Anderson, p-t. of Mansfield t-ship, 
Warren co., on the turnpike road 
leading from Philipsburg to Schoo- 
ley's mountain, and between the Mor- 
ris canal and Musconetcong creek, 
within a mile of either ; distant by the 



ASS 



95 



BAB 



post route from W. C. 205, from 
Trenton 49, and from Belvidere, the 
CO. town, E. 11 miles; 16 miles from 
Easton, and 25 from Morristown ; 
contains 2 stores and 15 dwellings; 
situate in a fertile limestone valley. 
Lands valued at $50 the acre. 

Andover p-t., Newton t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO., on the south angle of the 
t-ship on the Newton turnpike road, 
distant by the post-route from W. C. 
228, from Trenton G5, and from 
Newton 5 miles. 

Andover Forge, Byram t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO., on the N. bank of the Mus- 
conetcong river, at the junction of 
Lubber run with that stream, and 
within 2 miles of the Morris canal, is 
situate in a very narrow valley, and 
has around it a store, saw mill, and 
some 6 or 8 dwellings. 

Anthony, hamlet on Schoolcy's 
mountain, Lebanon t-ship, Hunterdon 
CO., 18 miles N. E. of Flemington, on 
Spruce run; contains a saw mill, and 
some half dozen dwellings. 

Arneystoion, p-t. of Hanover t-ship, 
Burlington co., near the eastern line; 
13 miles N. E. of Mount Holly, 175 
from W. C, 11 from Trenton S. E., 
and 8 E. from Bordentown ; contains 
a store, tavern, 15 dwellings, and a 
large meeting house pertaining to 
" Friends," surrounded by a country 
of fertile loam. 

Arthur'' s Kill. See Staten Island 
Sound. 

Arties^ Brook, tributary of the 
north branch of the Raritan river, 
Bedminster t-ship, Somerset CO. , unites 
with its recipient after a S. course of 
five miles. 

Ashury, p-t. of Mansfield t-ship, 
Warren co., in the S. W. angle of 
the t-ship near the Musconetcong 
creek, by post-route 199 miles from 
W. C, and 40 from Trenton, 11 
miles S. E. from Belvidere; lying in 
a deep and narrow valley on a soil 
of rich limestone, contains a Me- 
thodist church, 2 grist mills, 1 saw 
mill, an oil mill, a woollen factory, 1 
tavern, 3 stores, and about thirty 
dwellings. 

Assiscunk Creek, Burlington co., 



rises on the line between Mansfield 
and Springfield t-ships, and flows 
westward about 14 miles, forming, 
for the greater part of that distance, 
the boundary between the t-ships, 
uniting with the Delaware river, be- 
tween the city of Burlington and the 
point of Burlington island. It has one 
or two mills upon it. 

Atqiiatqua Creek, branch of the 
Atsion river, rising on, and forming 
part of the S. W. boundary of Bur- 
lington CO. It may be deemed the 
main stem of the river under another 
name. 

Atsion, p-t. and furnace, on the 
Atsion river, partly in Galloway 
t-ship, Gloucester co., and partly in 
Washington t-ship, Burlington, co., 
9 miles above the head of navigation, 
12 miles from Medford, 17 from 
Mount Holly, on the road leading to 
Tuckerton, and 57 from Trenton. 
Besides the furnace, there are here, a 
forge, grist mill, and three saw mills. 
The furnace makes from 800 to 900 
tons of castings, and the forge from 
150 to 200 tons of bar iron annually. 
This estate, belonging to Samuel 
Richards, Esq., embraces what was 
formerly called Hampton furnace and 
forge, and West's mill, and contains 
about 60,000 acres of land. There 
are about 100 men employed here, 
and between 6 and 700 persons de- 
pending for subsistence upon the 
works. 

Atsion River, main stem of Little 
Egg Harbour river, forming in part, 
the boundary between Gloucester and 
Burlington cos. It bears this name 
for about 14 miles above Pleasant 
Mills, and is formed by the union 
of the Atquatqua and Tuscomusco 
creeks. Atsion furnace is on the 
north side of the river, in Burlins- 
ton 'CO. 

Augusta, p-t. of Frankford t-ship, 
Sussex CO., distant bv post-route from 
W. C. 233, from Trenton 75, and 
from Newton 7 miles, contains 7 or 
8 dwellings and a Presbyterian 
church. 

Bahcock''s Creek, Hamilton t-ship, 
Gloucester co., rises by 4 branches, 



BAR 



96 



BAT 



viz: North, East, Main, and Jack 
Pudding, which, uniting near May's 
landing, flow westerly into the Great 
Egg Harbour river at that village. 

Back Creek, Fairfield t-ship, Cum- 
berland CO., flows about 6 miles into 
Nautuxet cove, Delaware bay. 

Back Water, branch of Maurice 
river, Millville t-ship, Cumberland 
CO., has a westerly course to its re- 
cipient, of about 7 miles. 

Bacon Creek, a tributary of Pe- 
quest creek. Independence t-ship, 
Warren co., having a westerly course 
of 2 or 3 miles. 

Bacon's Neck, a strip of rich land, 
in Greenwich t-ship, Cumberland co., 
betv/een Cohansey and Store creeks. 

Back Neck, a strip of land of Fair- 
field t-ship, Cumberland co., compre- 
hended by the bend of Cohansey 
creek and Cohansey cove. 

Bambo Creek, small tributary of 
the Lamington river, rising in Ches- 
ter t-ship, Morris co., and flowing by 
a southerly course of about 4 miles, to 
its recipient in Bedminster t-ship, So- 
merset CO. 

Baptisttown, Middletown t-ship, 
Hunterdon co. See Holmdel. 

Baptisttown, p-t. Ringwood t-ship, 
Hunterdon co., 9 miles W. of Flem- 
ington, 33 N. of Trenton, and 187 
from W. C, contains a tavern, a store, 
8 or 10 dwellings, and a Baptist 
church. There is a Presbyterian 
church within a mile of the town. 
The surrounding country is level, 
with soil of red shale, of good quali- 
ty, and carefully cultivated. 

Bargaintoton, Egg Harbour t-ship, 
Gloucester co., p-t., on Cedar Swamp 
creek, 4 miles from Great Egg Har- 
bour bay, 45 S. E. from Woodbury, 
90 from Trenton, and 200 by post- 
route from W. C, contains 2 taverns, 
1 store, a grist mill, Methodist church, 
and about 30 dwellings. 

Barnegat Bay, Monmouth co., 
extends N. from Barnegat Inlet to 
Metetecunk river, the distance of 20 
miles, varying in breadth from 1 to 
4 miles. It is separated from the 
ocean by Island Beach and Squam 
Beach, narrow strips of land no where 



exceeding a mile in width. It receives 
the waters of Metetecunk river. Kettle 
creek, Toms' river. Cedar creek, and 
Forked river. The inlet from the 
ocean is over a mile wide. By act of 
assembly, 21 Feb. 1833, authority 
was given to a company, by a canal, 
to connect the head of this bay with 
Manasquan Inlet, by which much 
time and space will be saved to ves- 
sels bound thence to New York. The 
capital proposed for this undertaking 
is $5000. 

Barnegat, p-t. of Stafford t-ship, 
Monmouth co., near Barnegat Inlet, 
36 miles S. from Freehold, 78 S. E. , 
from Trenton, and 202 N. E. from 
W. C, contains about 50 dwellings, 
3 taverns, 4 stores, on a sandy soil, 
surrounded by pine forest. 

Barnesboroi/gh, village, of Green- 
wich t-ship, Gloucester co., 6 miles 
S. W. from Woodbury, contains a 
store, tavern, and 12 or 15 dwellings. 
It lies on the edge of the pines. 

Barrentoion, Freehold t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., on the road from Free- 
hold to Middletown, 4 miles from the 
one, and 10 from the other, contains i 
some 6 or 7 dwellings, in a poor sandy 
country. 

Baskingridge, p-t. of Bernard , 
t-ship, Somerset co., 11 miles N. E. 
of Somerville, 213 from W. C, and 
47 from Trenton, beautifully situ- 
ated in a high, rich, well cultivated, 
and healthy country ; contains a Pres- 
byterian church, an academy for 
young gentlemen, in much repute, 
formerly under the care of Drs. 
Brownlee and Findl^y. The resi- 
dence and estate of General Lord 
Sterling were near this town. 

Bass River Hotel, p-o.. Little Egg 
Harbour t-ship, Burlington co., 183 
miles N. E. from W. C., and 71 S. 
E. from Trenton. 

Batsto River, Washington t-ship, 
Burlington co., a large branch of 
Little Egg Harbour river, which rises 
in Northampton t-ship, and flows by a 
southerly course of 16 miles, to the 
Atsion river, below Pleasant Mills; 
the united streams form the Little Egg 
Harbour river. Batsto Furnace is 



BEA 



97 



BED 



on the former within 2 miles of their 
junction, and near the head of the 
stream, are Hampton Furnace and 
Forge, now in ruins. 
.'■' Batsto Furnace is about 8 miles 
above Gloucester Furnace, about 30 
miles S. E. from Woodbury, and one 
from Pleasant Mills. There are made 
here 850 tons of iron, chiefly castings, 
giving employment to 60 or 70 men, 
and maintaining; altogether near 400 
persons. There are here also, a grist 
and saw mill, and from 50 to 60,000 
acres of land appurtenant to the 
works. 

- Bear Fort Mountain, near the W. 
boundary of Pompton t-ship, Bergen 
CO. It is broken through by Wood- 
ruff's Gap, from which runs a branch 
[ of Belcher's creek, and by which 
I passes the Ringwood and Long Pond 
; turnpike road. The whole length of 
i the range of hills in this t-ship is about 
, 11 miles. 

I Bear BrooJc, western branch of 
Pequest creek, rises in Hunt's Pond, 
j Green t-ship, Sussex co., and flows 
S. W., through the S. E. angle of 
IHardwick t-ship, Warren co., and 
joins the main stream, in the Great 
'Meadows, Independence t-ship, hav- 
iing a course of about 10 miles. 
I Bear Swamp, a noted swamp of 
'Downe t-ship, Cumberland co., near 
'Nantuxet or Newport, through which 
iflows the Oronoken creek. The 
I timber upon it is chiefly oak and 
I poplar. 

! Bear Swamp, Burlington co., near 
!the west boundary of Northampton 
It-ship, about 2 miles in length by 1 
in breadth. 

Beasley^s Point, Upper t-ship. 
Cape May co., on Great Egg Harbour 
Bay. There are here, upon a neck 
of land, between the salt marshes, of 
about 1 mile wide, 2 taverns, and se- 
veral farm houses, where visiters to 
the shore may find agreeable accom- 
modations. 

Beatty's Town, on the N. E. angle 
of Mansfield t-ship, Warren co., on 
the bank of the Musconetcong creek, 
and at the west foot of Schooley's 
Mountain, within 2 miles of the mine- 



ral spring, and 16 E. of Belvidere. 
The Morris Canal is distant 2 miles 
from it on the north. The village 
contains 1 store, 1 tavern, a grist and 
saw mill, a school, and from 15 to 20 
dwellings. The land around it is 
limestone, of excellent quality, and 
valued, in large farms, at 50 dollars 
the acre. 

Beaver Brook, tributary of the 
Rockaway river, Pequannock t-ship, 
Morris county, flows by a S. W. 
course of 8 miles thi'ough a hilly 
country, giving motion to several 
forges. 

Beaver Brook, Warren co., rises 
by two branches, one in Hardwick 
t-ship, from Glover's Pond, the other 
in Knowlton t-ship, from Rice's Pond, 
which unite in Oxford t-ship, near to, 
and south, from the village of Hope, 
and thence join the Pequest creek, 
about 3 miles from its mouth, having 
a course of about 14 miles. 

Beaver Run, Galloway t-ship, 
Gloucester co., ati-ibutary of Nacote 
creek, flowing to its recipient below 
Gravelly Landing. 

Beaver Dam Run, a tributary of 
the south branch of Rancocus creek, 
which flows to its recipient, by a north 
course of about 4 miles, at Vincent- 
town. 

Beaver Branch, of Wading river, 
rises in Little Egg Harbour t-ship, 
and flows westerly by a course of 
about 6 miles, to its recipient, about a 
mile below Bodine's bridge and mill. 

Beden's Brook, a mill stream, rises 
in the Nashanic mountain, Hopewell 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., and flows E. 
about 8 miles, through Montgomery 
t-ship, Somerset co., to the Millstone 
river, receiving several tributaries by 
the way. 

Bedminster Township, Somerset 
CO., bounded N. by Washington, 
Chester, and Mendham t-ships, Mor- 
ris CO. ; E. by the north branch of the 
Raritan, dividing it from Bernard 
t-ship ; S. by Bridgewater t-ship, from 
which it is divided by Chamber's 
brook and Lamington river; and W. 
by Lamington river, forming the 
boundary between it and Tewksbury 



BEL 



BEL 



and Readington t-ships, Hunterdon 
CO.; Centrally distant, N. W. from 
Somerville, 8 miles; greatest length, 
N. and S., 8 miles; breadth, E. and 
W., 4^ miles; area, 19,300 acres; 
surface, hilly; soil, lime, clay, and 
red shale; generally well cultivated 
and fertile. Pepack, Little Cross 
Roads, Pluckemin, Lamington, and 
Cross Roads, are villages; the three 
first, p-ts. of the t-sliip. Pepack and 
Artie's brooks are tributaries of the 
N. branch, flowing through the t-ship. 
Pop. in 1 830, 1453. Li 1 832, the t-ship 
contained about 300 taxables, 60 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30, 40 single men, 8 mer- 
chants, 6 saw mills, 6 grist mills, 1 9 
tan vats, 3 distilleries, 499 horses and 
mules, and 818 neat cattle, 3 years 
old and upwards ; and paid state tax, 
$242 48; county tax, 626 30. 
There is a Dutch Reformed church in 
the t-ship. 

Belcher Creek rises near the cen- 
tre of Pompton t-ship, Bergen co., and 
flows northerly about 7 miles, to min- 
gle its waters with those of Long 
Pond, or Greenwood lake. 

Belle Mount, a circular hill in the 
N. W. angle of Hopewell t-ship, Hun- 
terdon CO., on the shore of the Dela- 
ware river, between which and an 
oval hill on the south, flows Smith's 
creek. 

Belvidere, p-t., and seat of justice 
of Warren co., situate on the river 
Delaware, in Oxford t-ship, at the 
junction of the Request creek, with 
that stream; by the post road, 210 
miles from W. C., and 54 from Tren- 
ton, 69 from Philadelphia, 13 from 
Easton, 70 from New York, and 19 
from Schooley's mountain springs. 
The town is built on an alluvial flat, 
based on limestone, and extends for 
about half a mile, on both sides of 
the creek, over which there are 2 
bridges for carriages, and 1 for foot 
passengers. The town, which rapidly 
increases, contains a spacious court 
house, of brick, with offices attached, 
and a prison in the basement story ; 
the doors of which, to the honour of 
the county, are commonly unclosed, 
and its chambers tenantless, save by 



the idle warder ; a very large and neat 
Presbyterian church, a Methodist 
church, an academy, in which the 
classics arc taught ; a common school, 
2 grist mills, 2 saw mills, a clover 
mill, 6 stores, 3 taverns, a turning 
lathe, driven by water, and an exten- 
sive tannery; a bank, chartered in 
1829, with a capital of $50,000, but 
which may be extended; a county 
bible society, a county Sunday school 
union, auxiliary to the great charity ■ 
established at Philadelphia ; tract and I 
temperance societies ; 2 resident ,t 
clergymen, 3 lawyers, and 2 physi- • 
cians ; 2 weekly journals, viz : The • 
Apollo, edited by Franklin Ferguson ; ; 
and the Warren Journal, by James J. . 
Browne; and above 80 dwellings, , 
most of which are neat and commo- ■ 
dious, and many of brick and stone; ; 
among which, the residence of Dr. . 
Green deserves particular notice, as 
well from its size and linish as from 
its beautiful and commanding situa- 
tion. A very extensive business is 
done here, in general merchandise, in 
flour and lumber, the saw mills being 
abundantly supplied with timber from ni 
the Delaware. The Request creek l! 
having a large volume of water, and 
a rapid fall, affords very advantageous 
mill sites. Within 144 chains from 
the mouth of the creek the available 
fall is 49 feet 64-100, equal to 768 
horse power, the whole of which is 
the property of Garret D. Wall, Esq., . 
who offers mill seats for sale here on i 
advantageous terms. But in addition i 
to this great power derived from the 
creek, the Delaware river, within 2 
miles of the town, offers a still greater, 
where the whole volume of that stream 
may be employed. A company has 
been incorporated, with a capital of( 
$20,000, for erecting a bridge across 
the river at or near this place, for 
which three sites have been proposed. 
1st. At the Foul Rift, where the chan- 
nel is 170 yards wide. 2d. Thel 
mouth of the Request, where it is 205' 
yards. 3d. At the Deep Eddy, above 
the creek, where the channel is divid- 
ed by Butz's island, and the stream^ 
on the Jersey side, is 127 yards, the 
island 86 yards, and the remaining 



BEL 



99 



BER 



water 23 yards. The proposed rail 
road through New Jersey, from Ehza- 
bethtown, is designed to cross the 
Delaware here, and to connect with 
the Delaware and Susquehanna rail 
road. 

. Belleville, p-t. of Bloomfield t-ship, 
Essex CO., beautifully situated on the 
right bank of the Raritan river, 3^ 
miles N. E. from Newark, 218 from 
W. C, 52 from Trenton, and 9 from 
New York. The margin of the river, 
here, has width sufficient for a road 
or street, and for dwellings with spa- 
cious lots on both its sides, from which 
the gently sloping hill, clad in rich 
verdure, has a very pleasant appear- 
ance. Including North Belleville the 
town is considered as extending 3 
miles along the river, and in that dis- 
tance contains a handsome Dutch Re- 
formed church, having a very large 
congregation, 1 Methodist and 1 Epis- 
copalian church, 2 large schools for 
boys, a school for girls, under the su- 
perintendence of a lady, a boarding 
school for males and females, under 
the care of the Rev. Mr. Lathrop ; 2 
public houses, one a very large and 
well finished hotel, kept by Mr. Chand- 
ler, where many summer boarders 
may be accommodated, in this de- 
lightful retreat, from the bustle and 
noise of the great neighbouring city ; 
6 stores, and about 200 dwellings. 
Two streams, which flow into the Pas- 
saic, at about 3 miles distance from 
each other, and which, within 2 miles 
of their course have, respectively, a 
fall much over an hundred feet, render 
this place as interesting for its manu- 
factures as for its beauty. Thei'e are 
here 1 brass rolling mill and button 
manufactory, belonging to Messrs. 
Stevens, Thomas, and Fuller, occa- 
sionally engaged in copper coinage 
for Brazil ; the copper founderies and 
rolling mills of Messrs. Isaacs, and 
of Hendricks and brothers ; the calico 
print works of Mr. Andrew Gray, the 
silk printing establishment of Messrs. 
Duncan and Cunningham ; the Brit- 
tania metal factory of the Messrs. 
Lee ; the lamp factory of Stephens 
and Dougherty, and the grist mill of 



Mr. Kindsland. These works are 
estimated to produce, annually, manu- 
factured articles worth two millions 
of dollars. Two thousand tons of 
merchandise are supposed to be trans- 
ported to and fi'om the wharves of 
Belleville annually. 

Belleville, p-o., Sussex co., 241 
miles N. E. from W. C, and 75 from 
Trenton. 

Ben Davis* Point, W. Cape of 
Nantuxet cove, in the Delaware bay, 
and in Fairfield t-ship, Cumberland co. 

Bergen County, was established 
with its present boundaries, by the 
act of 21 January, 1709-10, which 
directed " That on the eastern divi- 
sion, the county shall begin at Con- 
stable's Hook, and so run up along the 
bay and Hudson river, to the parti- 
tion point between N. Jersey and the 
province of N. York, and along that 
line between the provinces, and the 
division line of the eastern and west- 
ern division of this province, to Pe- 
quanock river; thence by such river 
and the Passaic river, to the Sound ; 
thence by the Sound to Constable's 
Hook, where it began." Bounded 
N. E. by Orange and Rockland co., 
N. Y.; E. by N. Y. bay and North 
river; S. by the sti'ait, which con- 
nects N. Y. bay with Newark bay, 
S. W. by Essex and Morris co., and 
N. W. by Sussex co. It is shaped 
like an I . Greatest width N. W. 
and S. E. 32 miles ; greatest breadth 
N. E. and S. W. 28 miles. Area 
267,500 acres, or about 418 square 
miles. 

S. E. of the Ramapo mountain, the 
county consists of the old red sandstone 
formation, which appears under the 
form ofred shale, and of massive stone, 
well adapted to buildings; large quar- 
ries of which, have been M'orked on 
the Passaic near Belleville, and at 
other places. This formation is in 
places, covered with trap rock, which 
in the Closter mountain, assumes a 
columnar form, in the palisades, 400 
feet high, on the North river ; and the 
same form is visible in the continua- 
tion of the First and Second mountains 
across the Passaic at Paterson and 



i 



BER 



100 



BER 



Little Falls. In the Ramapo moun- 
tain, and upon tlie N. W. of it, the 
primitive formation prevails, and the 
large township of Pompton is broken 
into ridges and knolls, of considerable 
elevation. Limestone is found in the 
valleys, here, and magnetic iron ore 
in the hills. The great vein of such 
ore, which is first discoverable in the 
White Hills of New Hampshire, may 
be traced through this county. 

The surface of the country W. of 
the Saddle river, is hilly, with broad 
and fertile valleys. The left bank of 
that river, is also high ground, and a 
very fine valley lies between it and 
the Closter mountain, which is drain- 
ed by the Hackensack river. The 
southern part of the valley is low, and 
admits the tide to the town of Hack- 
ensack, 20 miles from the sound. In 
this distance, there is a body of salt 
marsh and valuable cedar swamp. 
The northern part of the valley and 
its banks, on the Saddle river, the 
Passaic and the Hudson, are divided 
into small well cultivated farms, whose 
neat, cleanly, and cheerful appearance, 
declare the thrift and content of their 
owners. There are few spots in New 
Jersey presenting more pleasing at- 
tractions than this country above the 
Hackensack, and on the highlands on 
each side of the river. The houses, 
generally, built in the ancient Dutch 
cottage form, of one full story, with 
its projecting pent houses, and dormi- 
tories within the slopes of the roof, 
are sometimes large, always painted 
white, and surrounded with verdant 
lawns, shrubbery, and well cultivated 
gardens. And we may here remark, 
that the taste for horticulture and or- 
namental shrubberies, appears more 
general in the central and northern 
parts of New Jersey, than in the 
southern parts, or in the state of 
Pennsylvania. 

Extensive deposits of copper are 
found on the banks of the Passaic, in 
Lodi t-slnp, about 1 mile S. E. of 
Belleville. 

The county is well watered, having, 
beside the rivers on its boundaries, 
Ringwood, Ramapo, and Saddle 



rivers ; all of which, rising in New 
York, flow S. to the Passaic; each 
having considerable tributaries, which 
though short, are by their rapid falls 
made available for hydraulic purposes. 
Ringwood river receives a consider- 
able accesion to its waters, from Long 
pond or Greenwood lake, in a high' 
and narrow valley between a ridge 
of the Wawayanda mountains and 
SterHng mountain. The lake is near- 
ly 5 miles long, but only about a mile 
of its length is within the state of New- 
Jersey. It pours forth its tribute 
through Long Pond river. 

Hohokus Brook is a rapid stream . 
of Franklin t-ship, which, after hav- 
ing, in a course of 9 miles, given • 
motion to many mills, unites with the 
Saddle river. The Hackensack, also • 
rising in New York, has an indepen- ■ 
dent course to Newark bay, and re- > 
ceives several tributaries from either 
hand. 

In this county, the first settlements 
of the state by Europeans were made, j 
The Hollanders were here the pio- ' 
neers of civilization, aided probably 
by some Danes or Norwegians, who -■ 
adopted the name of Bergen from the. 
capitol of Norway. Their descend- 
ants occupy the lands of their ances- , 
tors, and retain much of their primi- 
tive habits and virtues, their industry, 
cleanliness, and love of flowers ; for' 
the latter is a taste so pure and de- 
lightful, that we dare to rank it among 
the virtues. New York is much in- 
debted to the Dutch gardeners for her 
supplies of flowers and vegetables. 

After the country was reduced un- 
der the English rule, in 1764, Eng- 
lish settlers came in considerable num- 
bers from Long Island and Barbadoes. 
They were not so numerous, how- 
ever, as immediately to lose their 
character of strangers, and they re- 
sided chiefly in the '■'^English Neigh- 
bourhood" and at New Barbadoes. 

In 1830, the population of the coun- 
ty was 22,412, divided as follows: 
white males 10,299, white females 
9634, free coloured males 1061, fe- 
males 834, male slaves 306, female 
slaves 280. Of these, there were 



BER 



101 



BER 



aliens 213; deaf and dumb whites 10, 
blacks 3 ; blind, whites 12, blacks 5. 

The provisions for moral instruc- 
tion are the religious societies, con- 
sisting of the German Reformed, 
Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Baptist, 
and Methodist ; a county bible socie- 
ty, Sunday schools, and temperance 
societies ; academies in the larger vil- 
lages, and common schools in every 
populous vicinity. 

The chief towns are Jersey City, 
Hoboken, Bergen, Hackensack, the 
seat of justice, Closter, New Milford, 
New Prospect, Godwinsville, New 
Manchester, Ryerson's, Ramapo, 
Boardville, Ringwood, Stralenberg, 
Old Bridge, New Bridge, New Dur- 
ham, English Neighbourhood, Com- 
munipaw, and Pamrepaw. 

In 1832, the county contained 
5796 taxables, 1262 householders, 
whose rateables did not exceed 30 dol- 
lars, 533 single men, 75 merchants, 7 
fisheries, 84 run of stones for grind- 
ing grain, 16 cotton factories, 5 wool- 
len factories, 10 carding machines, 4 
furnaces and 16 forges, 93 saw mills, 
3 paper mills, 4 fulling mills, 127 tan 
vats, 13 distilleries, 1 flint glass, and 
1 china manufactory, both extensive ; 
1 printing, dyeing and bleaching es- 
tablishment, and 4025 horses and 
mules, and 10,188 neat cattle above 
3 years of age ; and it paid state tax 
$2631 43, county tax $5000, poor 
I tax $2500, school tax $100, road 
tax $6000. 

The county is extensively agricul- 
tural, raising a large surplus of grain 
and esculent vegetables for its ma- 
nufacturing population, and for the 
New York market. 

The improved means for trans- 
porting its produce to market, are 
beside the ordinary country roads, 
nine turnpikes and two rail-roads, ex- 
clusive of that made by Mr. Stephens 
along the North river. The turn- 
pikes are, two from Jersey City to 
Newark, one from Hoboken to Pa- 
terson, one from Hoboken to Hack- 
ensack, one from Hackensack to 
Paterson, one from New Prospect 
to the Ramapo works, in the State of 



New York, the Ringwood and Long 
Pond road, the Newark and Pomp- 
ton, and the Paterson and Hamburg. 
These have been made, and others 
have been authorized by law. A 
rail-road has been completed from 
Jersey City to Paterson, and another 
is now being made from the Hudson 
river through Newark, Elizabeth- 
town, Rahway and Woodbridge, to 
New Brunswick. 

The courts of the county are holden 
at Hackensack; the common pleas, 
orphans' and general quarter ses- 
sions, on the following Tuesdays, viz. 
4th January, 4th March, 2d August, 
4th October ; and the circuit courts, 
on the Tuesdays of 4th March and 
4th October. 

Bergen sends 1 member to the le- 
gislative council, and 3 to the assem- 
bly. 

The following notice of the coun- 
try embraced by this county, taken 
from Smith's History of New Jersey, 
will be interesting to its present inha- 
bitants. " Near the mouth of the 
bay, upon the side of Overprook 
creek, adjacent to Hackensack river, 
several of the rich valleys were then, 
(1680,) settled by the Dutch; and 
near Snake hill was a fine planta- 
tion, owned by Pinhorne and Eickbe, 
for half of which, Pinhorne is said to 
have paid £500. There were other 
settlements upon Hackensack river, 
and on a creek near it, Sarah Kier- 
sted, of New York, had a tract given 
her by an old Indian sachem, for 
services in interpreting between the 
Indians and Dutch, and on which 
several familiss were settled; John 
Berrie had a large plantation, 2 or 3 
miles above, where he then lived, 
and had considerable improvements; 
as had also near him, his son-in-law. 
Smith, and one Baker, from Barba- 
does. On the west side of the creek, 
opposite to Berrie, were other plan- 
tations; but none more north('rly. 
There was a considerable settlement 
upon Bergen point, then called Con- 
stable Hook, and first improved by 
Edsall, in Nicoll's time. Other small 
plantations were improved along Ber- 



I 



BER 



102 



BER 



gen neck, to the east, between the 
point and a large village of 20 fa- 
milies ( Communipaw). Further along 
lived 16 or 18 families, and opposite 
New York about 40 families were 
seated. Southward from this, a kw 
families settled together, at a place 
called Duke's farm ; and further up 
the country was a place called Ho- 
buck, formerly owned by a Dutch 
merchant, who, in the Indian wars 
with the Dutch, had his wife, chil- 
dren and servants murdered by the 
Indians, and his house and stock de- 
stroyed by them ; but it was now set- 
tled again, and a mill erected there. 
Along the river side to the N. were 
lands settled by William Lawrence, 
Samuel Edsall, and Capt. Beinfield; 
and at Haversham, near the High- 
lands, governor Carteret had taken up 
two large tracts ; one for himself, the 
other for Andrew Campy ne, and Co., 



which were now but little improved. 
The plantations on both sides of the 
neck, to its utmost extent, as also 
those at Hackensack, were under the 
jurisdiction of Bergentown, situate 
about the middle of the neck ; where 
was a court held by selectmen or 
overseers, consisting of 4 or more 
in number, as the people thought 
best, chose annually to try small 
causes, as had been the practice in 
all the rest of the towns at first ; 2 
courts of sessions were held here 
yearly, from which, if the cause ex- 
ceeded £20, the party might appeal 
to the governor, council, and court of 
deputies or assembly." 

" Bergen, a compact town which 
had been fortified against the Indians, 
contained about 70 families; its in- 
habitants were chiefly Dutch, some of 
whom had been settled there upwards 
of 40 years." 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF BERGEN COUNTY. 





■t^„ 


■B 






Population. 


Townships, «&c. 


QD 

13 




Area. 


Surface. 








■ 






pq 






1810 


1820 


1830 


Barbadoes, New, 


7 


4 


11,500 


level. 


2835 


2592 


1693 


Bergen, 


13 


4 


20,000 


part hilly, 


2690 


3137 


4651 


Franklin, 


10 


9 


45,000 


hilly, rolling, 


2839 


2968 


3449 


Hackensack, 


9 


H 


24,000 


hill and valley. 


1918 


2076 


2200 


Harrington, 


H 


7 


34,000 


do. do. 


2087 


2296 


2581 


Lodi, 


10 


5 


22,000 


flat, 






1356 


Pompton, 


14 


12 


70,000 


mountainous, 


2060 


2818 


3085 


Saddle River, 


10 


8 


41,000 
267,500 


do. 


2174 


2291 


3397 




16,603 


18,178 


22,412 



Bergen, village, of Bergen t-ship, 
Bergen co., about 16 miles S. of 
Hackensack, and 3 west of Jersey 
city, upon the summit of Bergen 
ridge, and equidistant between the 
turnpike roads leading to Newark, 
contains a Dutch Reformed church, 
and some twenty or thirty houses. 
This town was settled about 1616, 
probably by Danes, who accompa- 
nied the Hollanders. 

Bergen t-ship, Bergen co., is 
bounded N. by Hackensack t-ship, 
E. by Hudson river and New York 
bay, S. by the strait called Kill Van 
Kuhl, W. by the Hackensack river 



and Newark bay; greatest length 
N. and S. 13, breadth 4 miles; area, 
20,000 acres. Surface hilly on the 
N. E., on the W. and S. level. Soil, 
red shale and marsh. A large body 
of the latter, with Cedar swamp, lies 
on the Hackensack river, extending 
from the head of Newark bay, through 
the t-ship. The t-ship is intersected 
by several turnpike roads running in 
various directions. New Durham, 
Weehawk, Hoboken, Jersey City, 
Bergen, Communipaw, and Pamre- 
paw, are towns of the t-ship. Tkere 
are post-offices at Jersey City and 
Hoboken. Population in 1830, 4651. ^ 



BER 



103 



BIL 



In 1832, there were in the t-ship 1167 
taxables, 366 householders, whose 
ratable estate does not exceed 30 
dollars, 191 single men, 22 mer- 
chants, 2 grist mills, 1 saw mill, 3 
ferries, 1 toll bridge, 10 tan vats, 1 
grain distillery, 1 glass and 1 china 
manufactory, and 1 woollen manu- 
factory, 446 horses and mules, and 
1287 neat cattle above the age of 
three years. The t-ship paid state 
tax, $422 74; county, $613 36; poor, 
$800; road, $1500. 

Berkely. (See Sandtown.) 
Berkshire Valley, the S. W. part 
of Longwood valley, Jefferson t-ship, 
Morris co., W. of Greenpond moun- 
tain, 12 miles N. W. from Morris- 
town, 237 from W. C, and 71 from 
Trenton. A wild and rocky spot, 
through which runs a branch of the 
Rockaway river, giving motion to se- 
veral forges, &c. There is also a 
post-office and a Presbyterian church 
here. 

Bernard t-ship, Somerset co., 
bounded N. by Mendham t-ship, 
Morris co.; E. by the Passaic river, 
dividing it from Morris t-ship, of the 
said county ; S. E. by Warren t-ship, 
S. W. by Bridgewater t-ship, and W. 
by Bedminster t-ship. Centrally, 
distant N. E. from. Somerville, 7 
miles ; greatest length, N. and S. 9 ; 
breadth, E. and W. 7 miles; area, 
25,000 acres; surface hilly, and in 
great part mountainous ; soil on hills, 
clay and loom; in the valleys, lime- 
stone ; well cultivated by wealthy far- 
mers. The north branch of the Ra- 
.ritan flows on the western boundary, 
and receives from the t-ship Mine 
brook and smaller tributaries. Dead 
. run flows to the Passaic, on the S. E. 
line. Baskingridge, Liberty Corner, 
Logtown and Vealtown, are villages 
of the t-ship ; the two first post-towns. 
Population in 1830, 2062. In 1832, 
the t-ship contained about 400 taxa- 
' bles, 68 householders, whose ratable 
estate did not exceed 30 dollars, 34 
single men, 5 stores, 8 saw mills, 3 
grist mills, 1 fulling mill, 5 distille- 
ries, 461 horses and mules, and 1105 
neat cattle 3 years old and upwards. 



and paid state tax, $306 70 ; county 

tax, $695 50. 

Berry''s Creek, a marsh creek of 
Lodi t-ship, Bergen co., has a south- 
erly course of about 4 miles. 

Bethany Hole Run, small tributary 
of Plains' creek, Evesham t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO., flows by a course of 
about 3 miles into the dam of Taun- 
ton furnace. 

Bethel, mount and church, Mans- 
field t-ship, Warren co., 12 miles E. 
of the town of Belvidere. 

Bethlehem t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded N. W. by the Musconetcong 
river, which divides it from Warren 
CO., N. E. by Lebanon t-ship, S. E. 
by Ringwood, and S. W. by Alexan- 
dria. Centrally distant N. W. from 
Flemington, 13 miles ; greatest length 
E. and W. 9 miles, breadth N. and 
S. 9 miles; area 25,000 acres; sur- 
face mountainous on the north, else- 
where hilly ; soil, clay, red shale, and 
loam, with a vein of limestone on the 
cast foot of the Musconetcong moun- 
tain; drained chiefly by Alberson's 
brook, a tributary of Spruce run, and 
some small tributaries of Musconet- 
cong creek. Charleston, Bloomsbury, 
Hickory, Pattenburg, are villages of 
the t-ship — Vansyckles and Perry- 
ville, post-towns. Population in 1 830, 
2032. In 1832, the t-ship contained 
a Presbytei'ian church, 3 stores, 3 
saw mills, 5 grist mills, 1 oil mill, 25 
tan vats, 5 distilleries, 480 horses and 
mules, and 820 neat cattle above the 
age of 3 years ; and paid poor tax, 
$900; road tax, $700; county and 
state tax, $791 68. 

Sevens, p-o., of Sussex co., named 
after the postmaster, James C. Be- 
vens, 241 miles N. E. from W. C, 
and 83 from Trenton. 

Billingsport, more properly writ- 
ten Byllingsport, named after Edward 
Bylling, a merchant of England, the 
purchaser of Lord Berkeley's undi- 
vided moiety of the province. It lies 
upon the river Delaware below the 
mouth of Mantua creek, and 12 miles 
below Camden, and was rendered fa- 
mous by the fort erected here during 
the revolutionary war, for defence of 



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the channel of the river, remains of 
which are still visible. It contains a 
tavern and ferry, and some half dozen 
dwellings. 

Birmingham, small hamlet of 
Trenton t-ship, Hunterdon co. 5 miles 
N. W. from tlie city of Trenton, con- 
tains a tavern and some half dozen 
dwellings. 

Birmingham, formerly called New 
Mills, village, on the north branch of 
the Rancocus creek, Northampton 
t-ship, Burlington co., 4 miles S. E. 
of Mount Holly, contains a cotton 
manufactory, a grist mill, saw mill, 
fulling mill, a cupola furnace, and 
from 15 to 20 dwellings. Shreve's 
calico printing works are within two 
miles of the village, upon the same 
stream. 

Black Creek, Vernon t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO., rises on the S. E. foot of the 
Pochuck mountain, flows northward- 
ly, about 5 miles to the Warwick 
creek. 

Blackwoodtoicn, village of Glou- 
cester CO., upon the main branch of 
Big Timber creek, near the head of 
navigation ; 8 or 9 miles from its 
mouth, 5 miles S. E. of Woodbury, 
and 11 miles from Camden; contains 
1 Presbyterian and large Methodist 
church, an extensive woollen manu- 
factory chiefly employed on kersey- 
nette, belonging to Newkirk and Co., 
3 stores, 1 tavern, and about 50 
dwellings ; a 2 horse stage plies daily 
between this town and Camden. 

Black'' s Creek, S. W. boundary of 
Chesterfield t-ship, rising by several 
branches in Hanover t-ship, flowing 
W. and N. W. about 8 miles to the 
river Delaware, below Bordentown. 
The Amboy rail-road crosses its 
mouth over a wooden bridge. Ba- 
con's run is a branch of the stream, 
and part of the aforesaid boundary ; 
the creek drives several mills. 

Black Horse. (See Columbus.) 

Blade Run, tributary of the S. 
branch of Toms' river, Dover t-ship, 
Monmouth co. 

Black Brook, tributary of the Pas- 
saic river, rises at the N. E. base of 
Long hill, Chatham t-ship, Morris 



CO., flows westerly along the hill, by 
a course of 7 or 8 miles to its reci- 
pient in Morris t-ship. 

Blackleifs Mineral Spring, Ac- 
quackanonk t-ship, Essex co., 10 
miles N. W. from New York, 4 S. 
E. from Paterson; formerly much 
frequented as a useful chalybeate. 

Blackwood Meadow Brook, a ■ 
small tributary of the Passaic river, 
flowing W. to its recipient in the N. 
W. angle of Livingston t-ship, Essex 

CO. 

Black River, is the name given to 
the Lamington river, above Potter's 
Falls. It rises by 2 small branches, 
on the borders of Roxbury and Ran- 
dolph t-ships, flows under this name 
a S. W. course of about 16 miles, to 
the falls at the point of junction, be- 
tween Hunterdon, Somerset and Mor- 
ris CO., draining a valley of conside- 
rable extent, and in parts very fertile. 

Black River, or Cooper's Mills, 
is also the name of a small village 
on the above stream, situate in Ches- 
ter t-ship, Morris co., on the turnpike 
road leading from Morristown to ■ 
Easton, 14 miles N. W. from the for- 
mer; contains 1 grist inill, 2 saw 
mills, a store, and 6 or 8 dwellings ; 
it is a place of considerable business ; 
the country around it is hilly, and 
not very fertile. 

Blacktvells, hamlet of Hillsbo- 
rough t-ship, Somerset co., on the^' 
left bank of the Millstone river, 6^ , 
miles S. of Somerville, pleasantly si- 
tuated, in a fertile country ; contains . i 
a large grist mill,' fulling mill, store, , 
and several dwellings ; a bridge 
crosses the Millstone river here. [ 

Black Point, at the confluence of. 
the Shrewsbury and Nevisink rivers, 
Shrewsbury t-ship, Monmouth co. 

Blazing Star Ferry, over Staten 
Island Sound, on the road from 
Woodbury to Staten Island, about 7 
miles N. E. from Amboy ; the post- 
route to New York, formerly lay by 
this ferry. 

Bloomfield t-ship, Essex county, 
bounded N. by Acquackanonck t-sp, 
E. by the Passaic river, which di- 
vides it from Bergen co., E. by New- : 



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105 



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ark t-ship, S. and S. W. by Orange, 
and W. by Caldwell. Centrally dis- 
tant N. Irom Newark, 6 miles ; 
greatest length 5, breadth 4^ miles ; 
area, 14,000 acres; surface hilly; 
mountainous on the west; on the 
eastern boundary, the ground rises 
gradually from the river, and offers 
beautiful sites for country seats, 
many of which are thus occupied. It 
is drained by two streams which rise 
near the foot of the mountain, and 
flow by tortuous courses to the river, 
known as the Second and Third ri- 
vers. The first has a length scarce 
exceeding 6 miles, and the last, 
which forms a semi-ellipsis, and rises 
in the notch in Acquackanonck t-ship, 
may be double that length. These 
streams are the source of the wealth 
of tlie t-ship, and have converted it 
almost wholly into a manufacturing 
village. The soil is based on red 
sandstone, in which are exhaustless 
quarries of fine building stone, vast 
quantities of which have been sent to 
New York, and other places. The 
villages of the t-ship are Belleville, 
Bloomfield, Spring Garden, and 
Speertown. At the two first are 
post-offices. Pop. in 1830, 4.309; in 
1832, the t-ship contained 500 taxa- 
bles, 206 householders, whose ratable 
estate did not exceed $30 ; 82 single 
men, 17 merchants, 6 grist mills, 2 
cotton manufactories, 5 saw mills, 4 
rolling mills for copper, 3 paper mills, 
1 paint factory, 2 calico printing and 
bleaching works, 1 very extensive; 
40 tan vats, 3 woollen factories, and 
several very extensive shoe factories ; 
387 horses and mules, and 862 neat 
cattle above three years old. And 
the t-ship paid state tax S754 50; 
county $2.38 37; poor $1200; and 
road $1200. The annual value of 
I manufactured products, probably ex- 
; ceed 2-2 millions of dollars. 

Bloomfield, p-t. of the above t-ship, 
:^2 niiles N. of Newark, extending 
for near 3 miles in a N. W. direc- 
tion, and including what was fornier- 
; ly known as West Bloomfield. The 
chief part of the town lies upon the 
old road, but part of it on (he turn- 




pike; it contains about 1600 inhabi- 
tants, above 250 dwellings, 2 hotels, 
an academy, boarding school, 4 large 
common schools, 12 stores, 1 Pres- 
byterian church, 2 Methodist church- 
es ; a very extensive trade is carried 
on here in tanning, currying, and 
shoemaking, and the following manu- 
factories are considered as annexed 
to the town: 2 woollen factories, 1 
mahogany saw mill, 1 cotton mill, 1 
rolling mill, 1 calico printing work, 
2 saw mills for ordinary work, 1 
paper mill, and 1 grist mill. 

Bloomingdale, village on the Pe- 
quannock creek, Pompton t-ship, Ber- 
gen CO., 20 miles N. W. from Hack- 
ensack, upon the Paterson and Ham- 
burg turnpike road ; contains 1 forge, 
a saw mill, grist mill, machine fac- 
tory, bark mill, 1 tavern, 2 stores, 
and some 8 or 10 dwellings; the 
country around it is mountainous and 
barren. 

Bloomsbnry, p-t. of Greenwich 
t-ship, Warren co., on the turnpike 
road from Somerville to Philipsburg, 
and on both sides of the Musconet- 
cong creek, part of the town being in 
Hunterdon co. ; by the post-route 
198 miles from W. C, 49 from Tren- 
ton, and 14 S. from Belvidere, 18 
miles N. W. from Flemington; con- 
tains 1 grist mill, 1 oil mill, a cotton 
manufactory, 2 taverns, 1 store, and 
from 30 to 40 dwellings; the soil of 
the valley around it is rich limestone. 

Bloomshnry, village of Notting- 
ham t-ship, Burlington co., a suburb 
of the city of Trenton, below the As- 
sunpink creek, and at the head of 
the sloop navigation of the river. 
The bridge across the Delaware runs 
from the centre of the village ; there 
are here a Presbyterian meeting, 
several taverns and stores, steam-boat 
landings and wharves, with about 150 
dwellings and 900 inhabitants. The 
race-way of the Trenton water power 
company, will pass through the vil- 
lage. (See Trenton.) 

Blue Ball, village of Howell t-ship, 
Monmouth co., 4 miles S. from Free- 
hold; contains a tavern and store, 10 
or 12 dwellings, 1 Presbyterian and 



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106 



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J 



1 Methodist church. The soil here 
has been so greatly improved by 
marl, that lands which 15 years 
since would not bring $20 the acre, 
now command $50. 

Blue Anchor, tavern and hamlet 
of Gloucester t-ship, Gloucester co., 
in the heart of the pine forest, about 
25 miles S. E. from Camden. 

Boonton, manufacturing village of 
Hanover t-ship, Morris co., on the N. 
side of Rockaway river, 9 miles N. of 
Morristown, situate on the side of a 
high hill, at the entrance of a dark, nar- 
row, rocky valley ; contains the works 
of the East Jersey Iron Manufactur- 
ing Company, consisting of an exten- 
sive rolling mill, a blast furnace and 
foundery , 3 stores, and about 40 dwell- 
ings, a school house and a handsome 
church. In forcing the Trowbridge 
mountain here, the stream has form- 
ed a rapid and a picturesque cascade 
of about 30 feet fall, and this circum- 
stance has made the site a very ad- 
vantageous one for hydraulic works. 
The Morris canal ascends from the 
valley by an inclined plane 800 feet 
long, having a lift of 80 feet, which 
is passed over in from 12 to 15 mi- 
nutes. Pop. between 300 and 400, 
principally English; the village was 
founded in 1828, and is one of the 
most romantic spots in the state. 

Bonhamtoicn, Woodbridge t-ship, 
Middlesex co., 5 miles N. E. from 
New Brunswick, on the turnpike road 
leading thence to Woodbridge, from 
which it is distant 6 miles ; contains 
10 or 12 dwellings, 2 taverns, 1 store 
and school house ; surrounded by a 
gravelly and poor soil. 

Boardville, on Ringwood river, 
and on the Rina;wood and Longwood 
turnpike road in Pompton t-ship, Ber- 
gen CO., 21 miles N. W. from Hack- 
ensack; contains a Dutch Reformed 
church, a forge, distillery, a school 
house, and several farm houses. The 
narrow valley in which it lies is rich 
and well cultivated. 

Bordentown, borough and p-t., of 
Chesterfield t-ship, Burlington co., si- 
tuate on the bank of the Delaware 
river, at the junction of the Cross- 



wick's creek with that stream, 11 
miles N. W. from Mount Holly, 170 
N. E. from W. C, 30 from Phila- 
delphia, 10 from Burlington, and 7 
S. E. from Trenton; contains about 
1000 inhabitants, 200 dwellings, a 
Quaker meeting house, a Baptist and 
a Methodist church, 5 stores and 5 
taverns, and is surrounded by a fer- 
tile and well cultivated country of 
sandy loam. The Camden and Am- 
boy rail-road passes through the 
town, by a viaduct beneath its prin- 
cipal streets ; and stages run from the 
town, daily, to Trenton, Princeton, 
New Brunswick, Long Branch, New 
Egypt, Mount Holly, &c. &c., and 
4 steam-boats, to Bristol, Burlington, 
and Philadelphia. 

This town was founded by Mr. Jo- 
seph Borden, an early settler here, 
and a distinguished citizen of the 
state, and has borne his name for 
nearly a century. It was incorpo- 
rated 9th December, 1825. Its site 
is perhaps the most beautiful on the 
Delaware, and the village is alike re- 
markable for its healthiness and clean- 
liness, and the neatness of its dwell- 
ings. Built upon a plain 65 feet 
above the surface of the river, and 
from which there is a descent upon 
three sides, its streets, speedily drain- 
ed after the rain, are dry ; and lined 
by umbrageous trees, furnish always 
an agreeable promenade during the 
summer season. From the brow of 
the hill, there is a delightful view of" i 
the majestic Delaware, pursuing for 
miles its tranquil course through the 
rich country which it laves. Th( 
beauty of this scene is greatest in thi 
autumn, when the thousand vario 
and brilliant tints of the forest treeS; 
arc contrasted with the deep azure of 
the sky, and the limpid blue of the' 
mirror like waters. The attractions 
of the scene determined Joseph Buo-' 
naparte, Count de Surveilliers, in his 
choice of a residence in this country 
and this distinguished exile, who has 
filled two thrones, and has preten- 
sions based on popular suffrage to a 
third, has dwelt liere many years in 
philosophic retirement. He has in 



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107 



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I 



the vicinity about 1500 acres of land, 
part of which possessed natural beau- 
ty, which his taste and wealth have 
been employed to embellish. At the 
expense of some hundred thousand 
dollars, he has converted a wild and 
impoverished tract, into a park of sur- 
passing beauty, blending the charms 
of woodland and plantation scenery, 
with a delightful water prospect. The 
present buildings, plain but commo- 
dious, are on the site of the offices of 
his original and more splendid man- 
sion, which was destroyed by fire, 
together with some rare pictures from 
the pencils of the first masters, whose 
merit made them invaluable. With 
characteristic liberality, the Count 
has opened his grounds to the public, 
but we regret to perceive, that he has 
been ungratefully repaid, by the de- 
facement of his ornamental struc- 
tures, and mutilation of his statues. 

Bordentown is much resorted to by 
the citizens of Philadelphia during the 
hot months, who find excellent enter- 
tainment in the large commodious 
public houses, and in private and 
more retired mansions. Few places 
near the city are more desirable as a 
summer residence, which is now ren- 
dered uncommonly convenient to ci- 
tizens by the almost hourly means of 
communicating with Philadelphia and 
New York. The benefit of these ad- 
vantageous circumstances to the town, 
becomes apparent in its increase, ma- 
ny new houses having been built in 
1832 and 1833. The outlet lock of 
the Delaware and Raritan canal is in 
front of the town, which will in all 
probability become a depot, for much 
produce of the surrounding country 
destined for the New York or Phila- 
delphia market. Under these pros- 
pects the value of property here, we 
are told, has risen 50 per cent, within 
two years. 

Bordeii's Run, an arm of the S. 
. branch of Toms' river. Upper Free- 
hold t-ship, Monmouth co., flows E. 
about 7 miles through the S. E. an- 
gle of the t-ship. 

Bottle Hill, p-t., Chatham t-ship, 
Morris co., on the turnpike road from 



Elizabethtown to Morristown, 1 3 miles 
from the one, and 4^ from the other ; 
223 N. E. from W. C. and 57 from 
Trenton; contains a tavern, three 
stores, a Presbyterian church, an 
academy,, and above 40 dwellings, 
generally very neat; the surrounding 
country gently undulating, and well 
cultivated. 

Bound Brook, p-t., of Bridge.water 
t-ship, Somerset co., on the S. W. 
boundary of the county, at the con- 
fluence of the Green Brook with the 
Raritan river. A part of the village 
is in Piscataway t-ship, of the adjoin- 
ing county of Middlesex, on the turn- 
pike road from New Brunswick to 
Somerville, 7 miles from the one, and 
4 from the other. The town, in- 
cluding Middle Brook, extends a mile 
from Green Brook to Middle Brook, 
and contains a large and neat Pres- 
byterian church, an academy, 3 ta- 
verns, 4 stores, a large grist mill, 
&LC., and about 50 dwellings. There 
is a bridge over the river here. The 
surrounding country is fertile. The 
Delaware and Raritan canal runs 
near the town. 

Bound Brook, small stream rising 
in Newark t-ship, and running S. E. 
through the marsh, into Newark bay, 
forming the boundary between Eliza- 
beth and Newark t-ships. 

Bound Brook. (See Green Brook.) 
Bowentown, Hopewell t-ship, Cum- 
berland CO., a small hamlet, of 
some half dozen houses, midway 
on the road from Bridgetown to 
Road's town, about 2^ miles from 
each. 

Branchville, p-t., of Frankford 
t-ship, Sussex co., on the Morris 
turnpike road, by the mail route, 235 
miles from Washington city, 77 from 
Trenton, 7 from Newton, and 2 from 
Augusta. There are several mills 
here upon a branch of the Paulins- 
kill, within the space of two miles. 

Bread and Cheese Run, tributary 
of the south branch of Rancocus 
creek, Northampton t-ship, Burling- 
ton CO., unites with that stream 8 or 
10 miles below its source. 

Brigantine Inlet, Old, formerly 



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108 



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through Brigantine Beach, on the 
Atlantic, now closed. 

Brigantine Beach, on the Atlantic 
ocean, Galloway t-ship, Gloucester 
CO., extends from Quarter's Inlet, 
eastwardly, to Old Brigantine Inlet, 
about 6 miles, by about a half a mile 
in width. Several salt works have 
been established here. 

Bricksborough, village, of Maurice 
t-ship, Cumberland co., upon the left 
bank of Maurice river, 12 miles from 
its mouth, within 2 of Port Elizabeth, 
and 14 of Bridgeton, contains from 12 
to 15 dwellings. It lies at the conflu- 
ence of Muskee run, with the river. 

Bridgeport, small hamlet of Wash- 
ington t-ship, Burlington co., upon 
the left bank of Wading river, 29 
miles S. E. from Mount Holly, and 
5 from the confluence of Wading with 
the Little Egg Harbour river, contains 
a tavern, store, and some 4 or 5 dwell- 
ings, in sandy, pine country. The 
river is navigable above the town. 

Bridgeton, p-t. and seat of justice 
of Cumberland co., upon the Cohan- 
sey creek, 20 miles from its mouth, 
175 N. E. from W. C, and sixty S. 
of Trenton. The town is built on 
both sides of the creek, over which is 
a wooden drawbridge, from whence 
it has its name. It formerly bore that 
of Cohansey. It contains a court- 
house of brick, in the centre of a 
street, upon the W. bank of the creek, 
a prison of stone, and public offices, 
on the E., a Presbyterian, a Baptist, 
and a Methodist church ; a bank with 
an authorized capital of $200,000, of 
which $50,000 have been paid in ; a 
public library, a Masonic lodge, an 
academy, a woollen manufactory, a 
grist mill, an extensive rolling mill, 
foundery, and nail factory. It ex- 
ports lumber, flour, grain, nails, and 
iron castings. Thirty schooners and 
sloops, of from 50 to 80 tons bur- 
then, sail from the port, which is one 
of entry and delivery. The collection 
district of Bridgeton comprehends the 
counties of Gloucester, Salem, Cum- 
berland, and Cape May; excepting 
such parts of Gloucester and Cape 
May, as are included in the district 



of Egg Harl)our. The collector re- 
sides at Bridgeton. — 250 licenses is- 
sued fi'om his office in the year 1832. 
The country around is a sandy loam, 
rich and pi'oductive in wheat, corn, 
and rye. The most remarkable 
object, here, is the iron works of 
Messrs. Reeves and Whitaker, which 
occupy a number of stone buildings 
on the W. side of the creek, above 
the bridge, and are driven by a water 
power of 15 feet head and fall. They 
were originally built in 1815, but were 
consumed by fire in 1822, and rebuilt 
and enlarged in the same year. The 
rolling mill is capable of manufactur- 
ing into hoop and round iron, from 
blooms, 25,000 tons per annum. The 
nail factory contains 29 nail machines, 
comj)etent to make 1500 tons of nails 
annually ; and the foundery will make 
250 tons of castings, from a cupola 
furnace, with anthracite coal. These 
works give employment to 125 men 
and boys, who receive their wages, 
monthly, in cash, to the amount of 
$30,000 per annum; and yield the 
means of support to nearly 500 per- 
sons. Two vessels are constantly 
employed in bringing coal to the 
works from Richmond, and one in 
the intercourse with the city of Phila- 
delphia. There are some very good 
houses in the town, which has quita 
an air of business. " 

Bridgeville, small hamlet of Ox-' 
ford t-ship, Warren co., 4 miles E. 
of Belvidere, the county town. 

Bridgewater- t-ship, Somerset co., 
bounded N. by Bedminster and Ber- 
nard t-ships, N. E. by Warren t-ship, 
S. E. by Greenbrook, dividing it 
from Piscataway t-ship, Middlesex. 
CO., S. by the Raritan river, separat- 
ing it from Franklin and Hillsborough 
t-ships, and S. W. by Readington 
t-ship, Hunterdon co. Greatest length 
N. E. and S. W. 13 miles; breadth E. 
and W. 11 miles; area, about 35,000 
acres; surface, on the N. E., moun- 
tainous, elsewhere level, or gently un- 
dulating; soil, generally, red shale, 
and well cultivated in grain and grass. 
The N. branch of the Raritan unites 
with the Lamington river, on the N. 






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109 



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boundary, and flows thence, S. to meet 
the S. branch, about 4 miles W. from 
Somerville; the latter river receives 
from the W., Holland and Campbell's 
Brooks ; Middle Brook crosses the E. 
. part of the t-ship to the main branch 
of the Raritan, about 5 miles E. ■ of 
Somerville. Somerville, the county 
town. North Branch, Bound Brook, 
and Middle Brook, are villages, the 
three first named, post-towns. Popu- 
in 1830, 3549. In 1832 the t-ship 
contained about 700 taxables, 152 
householders, whose ratable estate 
did not exceed 30 dollars, 93 single 
men, 17 stores, 5 saw mills, and 3 
grist mills, 3 fulling mills, 29 tan vats, 
4 distilleries for cider, 6 carding ma- 
chines, 858 horses and mules, and 
1570 neat cattle, 3 years old and up- 
wards ; and paid state tax, S464 96 ; 
county, $1145 32. 
, Broadway, village, of Mansfield 
t-ship, near the S. W. boundary line, 
Warren co., on the turnpike road 
from Phihpsburg to Schoolcy's moun- 
tain, about 10 miles from the former, 
and 14 from the latter, contains a 
store and tavern, 2 grist mills, 1 saw 
mill, and 10 or 12 dwellings. It lies 
in the valley of the Pohatcong creek, 
upon a soil of fertile limestone. 

Broad Oyster Creek, Downe t-ship, 
Cumberland co., flows from Orano- 
ken creek, through the salt marsh, 
into the Delaware bay. 

Brooklyn, hamlet, of Piscataway 
t-ship, Middlesex co., on Dismal 
Brook, 6 miles N. E. from New 
Brunswick, contains a grist mill, saw 
mill, and some 8 or 10 dwellings. 

Brown's Point, on the Raritan bay, 
at the mouth of Middletown creek, 
Middletown t-ship, Monmouth co., 5 
miles S. E. from Perth Amboy, 14 
miles N. E. from Freehold. There 
are here, a good landing, 2 taverns, 
3 stores, and 12 or 15 dwellings; sur- 
rounding country, flat and sandy, but 
made productive by marl. 

Brunswick, North, t-ship, of Mid- 
dlesex CO., bounded N. by the river 
Raritan, E. by South Amboy t-ship, 
S. by South Brunswick, and W. by 
Franklin t-ship, Somerset co. Great- 



est length E. and W. 9 miles ; breadth 
N. and S. 7 miles; area, 23,000 
acres, of which 5000 are unimproved ; 
surface level ; soil red shale and sandy 
loam, drained on the N. by the Rari- 
tan, N. E. by South river, centrally 
by Lawrence's Brook, and N. W. by 
Six Mile run and its branches. The 
Princeton and Brunswick, and the 
Trenton and Brunswick turnpike 
roads run along and through the 
t-ship; the first on the W. boundary 
of the t-ship and county. New Bruns- 
wick, the seat of justice of the county, 
Washington, Six Mile Run, and Old 
Bridge, are villages, and the three first, 
post-towns of the t-ship. Population 
in 1830, 5274. In 1832 the t-ship 
contained about 1050 taxables, whose 
ratable estates did not exceed 30 dol- 
lars, 111 single men, 47 stores, 1 saw 
mill, 4 run of stones for grain, 1 
plaster mill, 3 carding machines and 
fulling mills, 90 tan vats, 4 distilleries 
for cider, 593 horses and mules, and 
831 neat cattle, above the age of 3 
years ; and it paid state tax, $456 84 ; 
county, $501 76; road, $200; poor, 
$1250. 

Brunswick, South, t-ship, of Mid- 
dlesex CO., bounded on the N. E. by 
North Brunswick, E. by South Am- 
boy, S. by East and West Windsor, 
and W. and N. W. by Franklin t-ship, 
Somerset co. Centrally distant from 
New Brunswick S. W. 12 miles; 
greatest length N. and S. 10 ; breadth 
E. and W. 7 miles; area, about 36,000 
acres; surface, genei-ally, level, with 
some hills on the west ; soil sandy 
loam and red shale ; in places ex- 
tremely well cultivated and produc- 
tive; drained N. E. by Lawrence's 
Brook, S. W. by Millstone river and 
its tributaries. Cranberry Brook, 
Devil's Brook, Heathcoat's Brook. 
Kingston, and Cranberry, are post- 
towns, lying partly in the t-ship; and 
Plainsborough Cross Roads and Ma- 
plestown arc hamlets of the t-ship. 
Population 2557, in 1830. In 1832 
the t-ship contained 527 taxables, 
whose ratables did not exceed 30 dol- 
lars; 32 single men, 10 merchants, 7 
saw mills, 8 run of stones for grist, 5 



BUR 



110 



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tan vats, 10 distilleries for cider, 755 
horses and mules, and 1275 neat cat- 
tle; and it paid state tax, $438 79; 
county, $539 49 ; poor, $700. 

Buck Pond, Pompton t/ship, Ber- 
gen CO., near Bear Fort mountain, 
covers about 150 acres, and sends a 
small tributary to the Pequannock 
creek. 

Buckshutem, hamlet, near the con- 
fluence of Buckshutem creek with 
Maurice river, Milleville t-ship, Cum- 
berland CO., 3 miles from Port Eliza- 
beth; contains 8 or 10 dwelhngs, a 
grist and saw mill, and store. 

Buckshutem Creek, tributary of 
Maurice river, Cumberland co., rises 
by 2 branches, one on the line between 
Milleville and Fairfield t-ships; the 
other on the line between Fairfield 
and Downe t-ships, and the main 
stream divides Milleville from Downe. 
It is a fine mill stream. 

Buddstoion, hamlet, Northampton 
t-ship, Burlington co., on Stop the 
Jade creek, a tributary of the south 
branch of the Rancocus ; contains a 
tavern, store, and saw mill, on the 
edge of the pines. 

Budd^s Pond, small lake of Rox- 
bury t-ship, Morris co., on the sum- 
mit of Schooley's mountain, 17 miles 
N. W. of Morristown, and 7 from the 
mineral spring, from which the visiters 
resort hither, for amusement, in boat- 
ing and fishing. 

BulVs Creek, small tributary of 
Little Egg Harbour river. Sooy's 
mill is near its mouth. 

BulVs Island, in the Delaware 
river, 23 miles above Trenton, near 
Saxtonville. The feeder of the Dela- 
ware and Raritan canal communi- 
cates with the Delaware here. 

Burlington County : the first recog- 
nition wc find of the bounds of this co. 
is in the act of Assembly, 1694, but its 
limits were more definitely settled by 
the act 21st Jan. 1710, declaring, that 
the line of partition between Burling- 
ton and Gloucester counties begins 
at the mouth of Pensauken, otherwise, 
Cropwell creek; thence up the same 
to the fork ; thence along the southern- 
most branch thereof, sometimes called . 



Cole Branch, until it comes to the 
head thereof; thence by a straight 
line to the southernmost branch of 
Little Egg Harbour river; thence 
down the said branch and river, to 
the mouth thereof; thence to the next 
inlet, on the S. side of Little Egg 
Harbour's most southerly inlet ; 
thence along the sea coast, to the line 
of partition between East and West 
Jersey ; thence on such line, by 
Maidenhead and .Hopewell, to the 
northernmost bounds of Amwell t-ship; 
thence to the river Delaware, and by 
the river, to the first mentioned sta- 
tion. This surface has been reduced 
by the act which established Hunter- 
don county, March, 1714, making the 
Assunpink creek the N. boundary of 
the county. It is now bounded N. by 
Hunterdon co., E. by Monmouth co., 
S. E. by the Atlantic ocean, S. W. by 
Gloucester co., and N. W. by the 
Delaware river. Central latitude, 
39° 50' ; longitude E. from W. C, 
2° 18'; greatest length, N. W. and 
S. E. 54; breadth, E. and W., 31 
miles ; area, 553,000 acres, or near 
833 square miles. 

Except immediately on the border 
of the Assunpink creek, where some 
primitive rock appears, the whole of 
this county is alluvial, composed of 
sand, gravel, loam and clay, various- 
ly blended. It would seem that the 
diluvian of the mountainous country 
above has been spread by the Dela- 
ware river, over the northwestern . 
border of the county, for some 12 or . 
14 miles from the present bank, form-, 
ing with the aggregations from the 
sea a very fertile loam, which,- 
manured with stable dung, ashes, or 
marl, produces abundant crops of 
rye, corn, oats, beans, peas, grass, and. 
potatoes. Strips of sand occur in 
this loamy belt, and sometimes 
masses of stiff clay, which were pro- 
bably once washed by the tides of the 
ocean. East of the belt of loam, is a 
mass of sand overlaying clay, and ex- 
tending, for near 40 miles, to the 
marshes, which border the sea shore. 
In this sandy district, there are occa- 
sionally spots where the clay, ap- 



BUR 



111 



BUR 



proaching the surface, mingles with 
the sand, and forms tolerable soil, 
producing oak; and in low grounds, 
where marl is near the surface, some , 
natural meadow, easily brought to pro- 
duce the reclaimed grasses. But the 
great wealth of this portion of the 
county is the pine timber, with which 
it is covered, and which is cut into 
valuable lumber, or fed to the fur- 
nace of the iron foundery or steam- 
boat. Bog ore is found in many 
places; marl generally through the 
western part of the county, and possi- 
bly may be turned up every where, 
by digging sufficiently deep. In the 
marl pits, animal reliques, such as 
shells, bones, and also petrified vege- 
tables, are frequent. But the most 
extraordinary relic, yet discovered in 
these deposits, is a piece of wrought 
copper bolt, about an inch square, and 
two inches long, bearing the marks of 
tools, taken about 10 years since, 
from a marl pit, 10 feet below the sur- 
face, and within a short distance of 
Mount Holly, on the farm of Mr. 
Thomas Howell. Of the time when, 
and the means by which such a de- 
posit was made, it is scarce possible to 
form a plausible conjecture. 
, The waters of the county flow, 
either N. W. to the Delaware river, 
or S. W. to the Atlantic ocean. The 
former consist of the Assunpink, 
Crosswick's, Black's, Craft's, Assis- 
cunk, Rancocus, and Pensauken 
creeks, and their tributaries ; the lat- 
Jer of the Wading and MuUica rivers, 
and their branches. The dividing; 
tidge between these streams runs 
nearly parallel with the Delaware, 
and at about 20 miles distant from it. 
The streams are generally crooked, 
and sluggish ; and the larger are na- 
vigable for 10 or 15 miles from their 
mouths. In Springfield t-ship, on the 



farm of Mr. James Shreve, is a well, 
whoso water petrifies wood. Blocks 
of hickory, cut into the form of hones, 
have been converted into stone, in 
5 years, by immersion therein. 

The chief villages, and post-towns 
of the county are, Arneytown, Atsion, 
Bass River Hotel, Bordcntown, Bur- 
lington, Columbus, Crosswicks, Eves- 
ham, Jacksonville, Jobstown, Julius- 
town, Medford, Moorestown, Mouiit 
Holly, the seat of justice, Pembei'ton, 
Recklesstown, Tuckerton, Vincenton, 
Wrightstown, &c. &c. 

The county contained, by the re- 
port of the assessors of 1832, 1 23,524 
acres of unimproved land, which 
might, with propriety, be nearly 
doubled; 14,210 neat cattle, 6055 
horses over the age of three years, 19 
stud horses, 3256 householders, with 
taxable property not exceeding $30 in 
value; 1095 single men, 86 mer- 
chants, 16 fisheries, 48 saw mills, 91 
grist mills, 4 furnaces, 3 forges, 2 pa- 
per mills, one extensive, and of the 
most approved construction; 1 calico 
printing factory, 7 fulling mills, 4 
cotton factories, 1 plaster mill, 350 
tan vats, 11 carding machines, 35 dis- 
tilleries for cider, 29 coaches and 
chariots, 6 phaetons and chaises, 8 
four horse and 19 two horse stages, 
392 dearborns, 977 covered wagons, 
206 chairs and curricles, and paid 
state tax, $4607 12 ; county tax, 
$15,000 ; and township tax, $13,450. 

The population of the county, in 
1830, was 31,705; of whom 14,710 
were white males; 15,033 white fe- 
males ; free coloured males, 869 ; free 
coloured females, 901 ; male slaves, 
77 ; female slaves, 115 ; 174 aliens ; 
12 white, deaf and dumb; 7 white, and 
3 blacks, blind. The county sends 5 
members to the Assembly, and one to 
the Council. 



BUR 



112 



BUR 



STATISTICAL 


TABLE OF 


BURLINGTON 


COUNTY. 






^ 


■5 






Population. 


Townships, &c. 


a 




Area. 


Surface 


















generally level. 


1810 


1820 


1830 


Burlington, 


7 


7 


9,702 


2419 


2758 


2670 


Chester, 


7 


6 


22,000 




1839 


2253 


2333 


Chesterfield, 


8 


6 


16,000 




1839 


2087 


2386 


Egg Harbour, Little, 


20 


10 


76,800 




913 


1102 


1490 


Hanover, 


16 


13 


44,000 




2536 


2642 


2859 


Mansfield, 


10 


H 


21,000 




1810 


1957 


2083 


Evesham, 


15 


10 


67,000 




3445 


3977 


4239 


Northampton, 


33 


18 


135,000 




4171 


4833 


5516 


Nottingham, 


10 


7 


25,000 




2615 


3633 


3900 


Springfield, 


10 


6 


18,000 




1500 


1568 


1534 


Washington, 


20 


19 


112,000 




1273 


1225 


1315 


Willingboro', 


6 


4 


7,500 






787 


782 




553,002 


24,360 


28,822 


31,107 



Burlington t-ship, Burlington co., 
bounded N. E. by Mansfield and 
Springfield t-ships, S. E. by North- 
ampton, S. W. by Willingboro', and 
N. W. by the River Delaware. Cen- 
trally distant N. W. from Mount 
Holly, 6 miles ; length N. and S. 7 ; 
breadth E. and W. 7 miles; area, 
9702 acres; surface, level; soil, 
sandy loam, very well cultivated, and 
abundantly productive, in grass^ corn, 
wheat, and garden vegetables, and 
fruits ; drained by the Assiscunk creek 
on the north, and a branch of the 
Rancocus on the south. Burlington 
city is in the t-ship. Population in 
1830, 2670. In 1832 the t-ship con- 
tained, including the city, 575 taxa- 
bles, 145 single men, 6 stores, 2 fish- 
eries, 2 grist mills, 1 ferry, 34 tan 
vats, 1 distillery for cider, 14 coaches 
and chariots, 2 two horse stages, 27 
dearborns, 57 covered wagons, 9 
chairs and curricles, and 30 gigs and 
sulkies ; and it paid state tax, $373 45; 
county tax, $1292 16 ; and t-ship tax, 
flOOO. 

Burlington Island, in the river 
Delaware, above the city of Burling- 
ton, and opposite the town of Bristol, 
originally termed Matenicunk, and 
also Chygoes island. (See Burling- 
ton City.) 

Burlington Collection District 
comprehends that part of West Jer- 



sey lying on the eastward and north- 
ward of Gloucester, and all the wa- 
ters thereof within the jurisdiction of 
the state. Burlington city is the port 
of entry, and Lamberton a port of 
delivery only ; the collector resides at 
the latter. 

Burlington City, of Burlington 
t-ship, Burlington co., 20 miles N. E. 
from Philadelphia, 158 from W. C, 
and 12 S. W. from Trenton, upon the 
river Delaware, and opposite to the -i 
town of Bristol ; contains about 300 ' 
dwellings, and 1800 inhabitants; one • 
Episcopal, 1 Baptist, and 2 Methodist 
churches, one of which are for co-. 
loured people, and 1 Friend's meet- 
ing house; 1 large and commodious 
boarding school ■ for girls, beautifully 
situate on the river bank, and 1 large. , 
boarding school for boys; the former v' 
under the direction of S. R. Gum- ' 
mere, and the latter of John Gum- jj 
mere ; a free school maintained chief- 7 
ly from the rents of Matenicunk ot 
Chygoes island, lying near the town,'- 
and which was given to it for that . 
purpose by the proprietaries, by act 
of Assembly, 28th September, 1682. 
This island contains about 300 acres, 
and yields a rent of about $1000 an- 
nually. There are here also a board- 
ing school endowed by the " Society 
of Friends ;" five common schools for 
white, and one for coloured children. 



BUR 



113 



BYR 



The town is laid out upon 9 streets 
running N. and S., and 4 E. and W. 
The lots are generally deep, admit- 
ting of spacious gardens, in which 
much and excellent Iruit is produced, 
among which grapes of various kinds 
are common. Upon the main street, 
the houses are closely built, but in 
other parts of the town they are wide 
asunder, and surrounded by gardens, 
orchards, and grass lots. Many of 
the buildings are very neat and com- 
modious, and occupied as country 
seats by citizens of Philadelphia — 
those on the liver bank, below the 
town, ai'e beautifully situated, vvith a 
fine verdant velvet sward to the wa- 
ter's edge, giving them a perpetual air 
of freshness and coolness, most desi- 
rable in the summer months. There 
are here, also, a public library, seve- 
ral fire companies, a beneficial so- 
ciety, a distinguished nursery of fruit 
trees, 7 considerable stores, 5 taverns, 
3 practising attorneys, 3 physicians, 
and extensive manufactories of shoes, 
employing near 300 hands. Bur- 
lington was laid out as a town in the 
year 1677, by the first purchasers 
from Lord Berkeley, and was incor- 
porated by the proprietary govern- 
ment, including the island only, in 
1693, and subsequently by Governor 
Cosby. The present incorporation 
is by act of the state legislature, 21st 
December, 1784, constituting the 
town and port of Burlington, of the 
length of .3 miles on the Delaware, 
and such part of the river and islands 
opposite thereto, within the jurisdic- 
tion of the state, and extending fi-om 
the river at right angles one mile into 
the county, '•'•the city of Burlington;'''' 
and authorizing its government, by a 
mayor, recorder, and 3 aldermen, an- 
nually elective, with power to hold a 
commercial court monthly. Prior to 
May, 1676, the site of this town was 
holden by 4 Dutch families, one of 
whom kept a public house for the en- 
tertainment of travellei's passing to 
and from the settlements on the west 
shores of the Delaware, and New 
iTfork. The river here is about a 
mile wide, the harbour pretty good, 



but the town has no commerce. A 
great portion of the city is isolated by 
a creek, over which there are several 
bridges; the tide has been stopped 
out, and the marshes, which it for- 
merly covered, are good m.eadows. 
The town is deemed healthy. Four 
steam-boats pass this town, to and 
from Philadelphia, daily. 

Burnt Cabin Brook, principal 
branch of the Rockaway river, rises 
in Greenpond, in the valley between 
Greenpond mountain and Copperas 
mountain. It has a S. W. course of 
about 8 miles, before it unites with the 
main stream. 

Burnt Meadow Brook, small tri- 
butary of Ringwood river, Pompton 
t-ship, Bergen co., into which it flows 
eastwardly by a course of about 6 
miles. 

Bvstlefon, hamlet, of Mansfield 
t-ship, Burlington co., 7 miles N. W. 
from Mount Holly, and 4 from Bur- 
lington city; contains a Friends' 
meeting house, and some half dozen 
farm houses, surrounded by a well cul- 
tivated country of fertile sandy loam. 

Butcher^s Forge, on Metetecunk 
river, on the line between Howell and 
Dover t-ships, Monmouth co., at the- 
head of navigation, 18 miles S. E. 
from Freehold. There are here a 
forge, a grist mill, a tavern, 2 stores, 
and 15 or 20 dwellings. The mill 
pond is the largest in the state, having 
a length of nearly 3 miles, by nearly 
half a mile in breadth. Wood from 
the surrounding forest is boated on it 
to the furnace. 

Byrain t-ship, Sussex co., bounded 
N. W. by Newton t-ship ; E. by Har- 
diston t-ship, and by Joflerson t-ship, 
Morris co.; S. by Roxbury t-ship, of 
the same co., and W. by Green t-ship, 
of Sussex CO. Centrally distant S. 
E. from Newton 8 miles; greatest 
length N. and S. 10 miles, breadth 
E. and W. 8 miles; area, 21,760; 
surface mountainous, the t-ship being 
wholly covered by the South mountain. 
The t-ship is drained chiefly by Lub- 
ber run, which receives the waters 
of Lion pond, Hopatcong lake upon 
the E., and by Musconetcong river, 



I 



CAL 



114 



CAM 



which courses the whole of the south- 
ern boundary. It is crossed N. W. 
by the Morris and Newton turnpike 
road. By the census of 1830 it con- 
tained 958 inhabitants; and in 1832 
187 taxables, 5 stores, 5 saw mills, 
10 forge fires, 6 tan vats, 1 distillery, 
123 horses and mules, and 497 neat 
cattle, over the age of 3 years. 
Andover, Lockwood, Columbia, and 
Stanhope, are the names of the forges 
within the t-ship ; Brooklyn forge lies 
on the S. E. boundary. The Morris 
canal touches the south boundary of 
the t-ship at Stanhope. The t-ship is 
noted for its iron and other minerals. 
Cabbagetown, hamlet, of Upper 
Freehold t-ship, Monmouth co., on 
the line between that county and Mid- 
dlesex, 17 miles from Freehold, and 
12 from Ti'enton, contains some half 
dozen dwellings, a wheelwright, smith 
and joiner's shop. 

Calais, Randolph t-ship, Morris 
CO., on the road from Morristown to 
Stanhope forge, 6 miles N. W. from 
the former ; contains a Presbyterian 
church, store, tavern, and 12 or 15 
dwellings. 

Caldwell t-ship, Essex co., bound- 
ed on the W. and N. by the Passaic 
river, which se])arates it from Hano- 
ver t-ship, Morris co., E. by Acquack- 
anonck and Bloomfield t-ships, S. by 
Orange and Livingston t-ships. Cen- 
trally distant N. E. from Newark 10 
miles; greatest length E. and W. 7; 
breadth N. and S. 6; area, 16,500 
acres; surface mountainous on the 
E., elsewhere rolling, except in the 
valley of the river; drained, or rather 
watered, by Deep and Green brooks ; 
soil red shale and alluvion; towns, 
Caldwell, Fairfield, and Franklin; 
the first a post-town; population in 
1830, 2001. In 1832 the t-ship con- 
tained 325 taxables, 36 single men, 
8 merchants, 3 grist mills, 1 cotton 
manufactory, 3 saw mills, 12 tan vats, 
I woollen factory, 325 horses and 
mules, and 1001 neat cattle, over 
the age of 3 years: and it paid state 
tax, $201 06; countv, $526 06; 
poor, $600; road, $1327. 

Caldwell, p-t. of preceding t-ship, 



Essex CO., 10 miles N. E. from New- 
ark, 225 from W. C, and 59 from 
Trenton, contains a tavern, 3 stores, 
a grist and saw mill on Pine Brook, 
about 30 dwellings, and 2 Presbyte- 
rian churches. The country around 
it is deep clay loam. 

Camden, city and t-ship, of Glou- 
cester CO., on the river Delaware, op- 
posite to the city of Philadelphia, and 
port of entry and delivery of Bridge- 
ton collection district, 8 miles N. W. 
from Woodbury, 137 N. E. from W. 
C, and 31 S. from Trenton. The 
site upon which it stands, was taken 
up between the years 1681 and 1685, 
in several parcels, by Messrs. Cooper, 
Runyon and Morris. The city was 
incorporated by acts 13 Feb. and 1 
March, 1828, and 9 Feb. 1831 ; and 
as a t-ship by act Nov. 28, 1831. Its 
bounds by these acts are as follow : 
Beginning at the Pennsylvania line 
in the Delaware, opposite the mouth 
of a small run of water below Kaighn- 
ton, and running E. to the mouth of 
said run; thence by the same, cross- 
ing the public road to Woodbury, 
from the Camden academy; thence 
N. by the E. side of said road, to the 
road from Kaighnton to Cooper's creek 
bridge ; thence by the E. side of the 
last mentioned road, and the S. side 
of the causey and bridge, to the mid- 
dle of Cooper's creek ; thence by the 
middle of the creek to the Delaware; 
thence due N. to the middle of the 
channel, between Petty 's island and 
the Jersey shore; thence down the 
channel to the nearest point on the 
line between the states of Pennsylva- 
nia and New Jersey ; thence by said 
line to the place of beginning. The^, 
district has a length of 2^: miles on' 
the river, by about 1^ in breadth to 
the bridge over Cooper's creek. But a 
small portion only, of this area, is 
built upon : the greatest portion is 
employed in tillage, chiefly of fruit 
and early vegetables, for the Phila- 
delphia market, to which the soil is 
admirably adapted; and a consider- 
able part is still in woods, yielding 
shade and recreation to the inhabit- 
ants of the great city, in the hot sea- 



I 



CAM 



115 



CAM 



son. The district is divided into 3 
distinct villages, separated by vacant 
grounds from halt" a mile to nearly 
a mile in extent. That, opposite to 
the Northern Liberties, is known as 
Cooper's Point, at which there is an 
extensive ferry establishment, tavern, 
store, livery stable, and a dozen dwell- 
ings. The lower village, nearly op- 
posite to the Navy Yard, is called 
Kaighnton or Kaighn's Point, from 
the family of that name, which settled 
on it in 1696, and whose descend- 
ants, still residents on, and owners of 
the greater part of the adjoining pro- 
perty, laid out town lots here, and 
established the ferry to Philadelphia 
in 1809. It contains 35 dwellings, a 
store, school house, 2 taverns, a tan- 
nery, an extensive smithery and 
manufactory of steel springs for car- 
riages. The central and largest part 
of the city was originally called Cam- 
den, about the year 1772, when first 
divided into town lots, by the then 
proprietor, Jacob Cooper, and is near- 
ly equidistant between the two Points, 
and opposite to the central part of Phi- 
ladelphia. The land at Cooper's Point, 
and extensive adjacent tracts, were 
taken up in 1687, by William Cooper, 
one of the first and distinguished emi- 
grants to the province, after the sale 
by Lord Berkeley to Byllinge; the 
whole of which is, at this time, not 
only possessed by his descendants, 
but actually, by descendants bearing 
the name of Cooper ; no portion of it, 
at any time, having, in the space of 
146 years, been aliened by the family. 
At the period of incorporation, 
1828, the population of the district 
was 1143; in 1830 it had increased 
to 1987, and now, Sept. 1833, by 
a census made for this work, amounts 
to 2341 ; of whom 417 are heads of 
families, or housekeepers, 1237 males, 
1104 females, 78 widows, and 105 
people of colour. It contains 364 
dwelling houses, and 60 other build- 
ings used for manufactories, stores, 
and schools, a Baptist, a Methodist, 
and a Quaker meeting house, a court- 
house, or town hall, where the city 
sessions are holden, quarterly, by the 



mayor, recorder, and aldermen, for 
the trial of minor oiiences, and a pi"i- 
son connected therewith ; an academy, 
at which are taught the rudiments of 
a common English education; "the 
State Bank at Camden," with a capi- 
tal of 8300,000 dollars; a turpentine, 
a patent leather, and a tinware manu- 
factory ; 2 tanneries, a steam saw mill 
and steam grist mill, 2 saddlers and 
harnessmakers, other than those con- 
nected with the coach makers; 6 coach- 
makers, whose business exceeds in 
value $60,000, annually, and whose 
work, much of which is exported, is 
remarkable at once, for cheapness, 
lightness, strength, and beauty of 
finish; 8 smitheries, connected with 
2 of which are manufactories of steel 
springs; a white or silver smith, a 
clock and watchmaker's shop, a comb 
manufactory, a trunk manufactory, 
2 bakeries, 2 cooper's shops, 2 drug- 
gist's shops, 12 stores, 5 lumber yards, 

5 livery stables, 9 taverns, including 
the ferry houses, 2 cabinetmaker's 
shops, 2 tailor's shops, 11 master 
carpenters, 4 master stone and brick 
masons, 2 painters and glaziers, a gold 
and silver plater, 2 printing offices, 
from each of which a weekly news- 
paper is issued, and 3 physicians and 

6 lawyers. 

There are here also several hand- 
some public gardens, much frequent- 
ed by the Philadclphians, who have 
ready access to them by the steam 
ferry boats constantly passing the 
river. Of these useful vessels, there 
arc at present eight belonging to the 
five ferry establishments, including 
those at Cooper's and Kaighn's Points; 
employing a capital of $60,000, ex- 
clusive of the real estate, such as 
wharves, ferry houses, &c. valued 
at $100,000. The gross income from 
which, is estimated at not less than 
$80,000 per annum. The boats adapt- 
ed for carriages and passengers cross, 
in from 5 to 15 minutes, according 
to the state of the tide; and arc im- 
pelled by steam engines of from 15 to 
20 horse power. 

The ship channel is on the Philadel- 
phia side of the river. The water on 



CAP 



116 



CAP 



the New Jersey side is too shoal for 
vessels of the largest size to ascend 
higher than Kaighn's Point, where it 
is sufficiently deep for those of any 
tonnage. Brigs and schooners of 150 
tons come to the central parts of Cam- 
den at high tide, and unload at the 
wharves. Efforts are making to con- 
vert this into a port of entry, and to 
annex it to the Philadelphia collection 
district. 

CampbelVs Brooh rises at the foot 
of the mountain in Readington t-ship, 
Hunterdon co., and flows by a S. E. 
course of about 7 miles to the south 
branch of the Raritan river, in 
Bridgewater t-ship, Somerset co. 

Camptown, Orange t-ship, Essex 
CO., 3| miles S. W. from Newai'k, 
contains within a circle of a mile and 
a half in diameter, 75 dwellings, a 
free church of stone, of three sto- 
ries, the first used as an academy, the 
second as a church, open to all de- 
nominations of Christians, and the 
third a masonic lodge ; a Presbyteri- 
an church, 1 tavern, 3 stores, 1 saw 
mill, and 1 grist mill, upon Eliza- 
beth river. The lands here vary in 
value, according to quality, from 50 
to $100 the acre. The name is derived 
from the circumstance that the Ame- 
rican army had a camp in the vici- 
nity during the revolution. 

Canoe Brook, small tributary of 
the Passaic river, Livingston and 
Springfield t-ships, Essex co., has a 
westerly course of three miles. 

Cape May County, by the act of 
Assembly, 21st of January, 1710, be- 
gins at the mouth of a small creek, 
on the west side of Stipson's island, 
called Jecak's creek, and continues 
thence by the said creek, as high as 
the tide floweth; thence, along the 
bounds (of what was then Salem 
county, now Cumberland,) to the 
southernmost main branch of Great 
Egg Harbour river ; thence down the 
said river to the sea; thence along 
the sea coast to Delaware bay, and so 
up the said bay to the place of begin- 
ning. It is, therefore, bounded on 
the north by Cumberland county, E. 
and S. by the Atlantic ocean, and W. 



by Delaware bay. Its greatest length, 
N. E. and S. W. is 30 miles; great- 
est breadth E. and W., 15 miles; 
form semi-oval: area 252 square 
miles, or about 161,000 acres. Cen- 
tral lat. 39° 10'; long. 2° 7' E. from 
W. C. 

This county is wholly of alluvial 
formation. Upon the coast, from 
the mouth of Great Egg Harbour 
bay, and for some miles on the De- 
laware bay, above the capes, is a 
sand beach: on the east, this beach, 
from a half mile to two miles in width, 
is covered with grass which affords 
pasture for neat cattle and sheep. It 
is broken by several inlets, by which 
the sea penetrates the marshes, and 
forms lagunes or salt water lakes, 
in several places, two miles in diame- 
ter, connected by various channels. 
The marsh has an average width of 
about four miles; a similar marsh 
extends along the N. W. part of the 
county, on the bay, widening as it 
advances northward. The Tucka- 
hoe river, on the north, divides this 
from Gloucester co., receiving from 
Cape May co. Cedar Swamp creek, 
which interlocks with Dennis' creek, 
the latter emptying into the Dela- 
ware bay. Both streams flow through 
an extensive cedar swamp, stretch- 
ing for 17 miles across the county. 
Several other, but inconsiderable 
streams, flow westerly into the Dela- 
ware bay. The fast land of the 
county is composed of clay based on 
sand, generally covered with oak fo- 
rest, from which large quantities of 
timber and cord wood are annually 
sent to the Philadelphia and New York 
markets. The greater portion of the 
inhabitants are settled on the east and 
west margins of this fast land, along 
which run the main roads of the 
county. The forest land, when 
cleared, becomes arable, and, with 
due cultivation, produces good crops 
of corn and rye. The farms are ge- 
nerally large, running from the roads 
landward. Some cleared and culti- 
vated tracts are interspersed with the 
forest. The wealth of the county 
is in its timber. 



CAP 



117 



CAP 



The name of this county is derived 
from CorneHus Jacobse Mey, a navi- 
gator in the service of the Dutch 
West India Company, who visited 
the Delaware bay in 1623, for the 
purpose of colonization, but the set- 
tlements, if any were made here by 
him, were soon abandoned. In 1630 
a purchase of land, extending along 
the bay for sixteen miles, and six- 
teen inward, was made of the In- 
dians, by the Dutch governor of New 
Amsterdam, Van Twiller, for the 
Sieurs Goodyn and Blomaert, direc- 
tors of the West India Company; but 
we do not learn that these lands were 
immediately peopled by Europeans. 
From the records of the court of this 
county, it appears probable that some 
English settlers were established here 
at an early period, from New Eng- 
land, and we may conjecture that 
they were colonists from New Ha- 
ven, some of whose descendants may 
yet remain in the county. 

The county is divided into 4 t-ships ; 
its pop. in 1830, was 4396 souls; 
being about 20 to the square mile; 
of whom 2400 were white males, 
2308 white females, 118 free colour- 
ed males, 107 free coloured females, 
3 slaves; among these were 1 deaf 
and dumb, but there were none blind 
nor alien. 

The seat of justice is centrally si- 
tuated at Middletown, where there 
are a frame court house, brick fire 
proof offices, and a stone prison ; the 
other public buildings of the county, 
consist of an Episcopalian church, 2 
Baptist do., 2 Methodist do. 

At an early period of its history 
the inhabitants were engaged in the 
whale fishery ; at present, their chief 
support is derived from the timber 
and cord wood trade, raising of cat- 
tle, and supplying the market with oys- 
ters, clams, fish, &c. At Cape Island, 
a considerable revenue is derived from 
the company who visit the sea shore 



during the hot weather. By the as- 
sessor's report for 1832, the county 
contained but 20,244 acres of im- 
proved land, a little more than one- 
eighth part of its area; 669 house- 
holders, 8 grist mills, the chief part 
of which are moved by wind, 16 saw 
mills, 29 stores, 679 horses, and 
2093 neat cattle over 3 years of age; 
and paid for t-ship purposes ^324 60 ; 
for state purposes $646 01, and $2000 
for county uses. 

By the act of 8th March, 1797, it 
sends 1 member to the assembly, and 
by the constitution, 1 member to 
council. 

The court of common pleas and 
quarter sessions for Cape May co., sit 
on the 1st Tuesdays of February, the 
last of May, the 1st of August, and 
the 4th of October; and the circuit 
courts on the last Tuesday of May, 
annually, at Middletown. 

This portion of the state has not 
generally been holden in due estima- 
tion. If its inhabitants be not nume- 
rous, they are generally as indepen- 
dent as any others in the state, and 
enjoy as abundantly the comforts of 
life. They are hospitable, and re- 
spectable for the propriety of their 
manners, and are blessed, usually, 
with excellent health. Until lately 
they have known little, practically, of 
those necessary evils of social life, 
the physician and the lawyer. Morse 
assures us, that their women possess- 
ed the power not only of sweetening 
life, but of defending and prolonging 
it, being competent to cure most of 
the diseases which attack it. We 
learn, however, that their practice in 
the latter particular, has lately been 
contested; that one or more physi- 
cians have crept in, but we rejoice to 
hear that they find little employment. 
We learn also, that the county, like 
Ireland, refusing nourishment to nox- 
ious animals, no lawyer can subsist 
in it. 



CAP 118 CED 

STATISTICAL TABLE OF CAPE MAY COUNTY. 





■5 
■& 

a 

01 




Area. 


Surface. 


Population. 


Townships. 


1810 


1820 


1830 


Upper, 
Dennis, 
Middle, 
Lower, 


m 

14 
12 

8 


11* 

8* 
10 
8 


37,000 
43,500 
60,000 
21,000 

161,500 




1664 

1106 

862 


2107 

1157 
1001 


1067 

1508 

1366 

996 






4265 


4936 



Cape May Court House, p-t. and 
seat of justice of Cape May co., cen- 
trally situate in Middle t-ship, 104 
miles N. E. from W. C, and 102 S. 
from Trenton, 34 S. E. from Bridge- 
ton, and 74 from Philadelphia; con- 
tains a court house of wood, a jail of 
stone, fire-proof offices of brick, 2 ta- 
verns, 8 or 10 dwellings, and a Bap- 
tist church of brick. ^ Lat. 39° N. 
long. 2° 8' E. from W. C. ; it is call- 
ed Middletown, in the post-office lists. 
Cape May, the most southern point 
of N. J., and the eastern cape of the 
Delaware bay, formed by the bay and 
the Atlantic ocean ; lat. 38° 56', long. 
2° 18' E. from W. C; a fight house 
stands upon the point. The name of 
this cape should have been written 
Mey, since it has its name from 
Cornelius Jacobse Mey, a distinguish- 
ed navigator, who visited the Dela- 
ware in 1623, in the employ of the 
Dutch West India Company. He 
gave his Christian name, Cornelius, 
to the west cape of the bay. 

Cape May Island, beach of the 
Atlantic ocean, near the southern 
point of the state, in Lower t-ship, 
Cape May co., 104 miles by post- 
route from Philadelphia, 115 from 
Trenton, and 117 from W. C. ; it is a 
noted and much frequented watering 
place, the season at which commences 
about the first of July, and continues 
until the middle of August, or 1st 
September. There are here six 
boarding houses, three of which are 
very large ; the sea bathing is conve- 
nient and excellent, the beach affords 
pleasant drives, and there is excellent 
fishing in the adjacent waters. There 
is a post-office here. 



t-ship, Cumberland co., between 3 
and 4 miles N. E. of Bridgeton. 

Carpenter's Landing, post-town of 
Greenwich t-ship, Gloucester co., upon 
Mantua creek, at the head of sloop 
navigation, 3 miles S. W. from Wood- 
bury ; 7 miles by the creek from the 
Delaware; 42 miles from Trenton, 
and 148 from W. C. It is a place 
of considerable trade, in lumber, cord 
wood, &c., and contains 1 tavern, 2 
stores, 30 dwellings, and 1 Methodist 
church. 

Cat-tail, hamlet, of Upper Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co., on Cat-tail 
creek, on the fine between Middlesex 
and Monmouth cos., 16 miles S. W. 
from Freehold, and 28 S. E. from 
Trenton. 

Cedar Bridge, hamlet, Stafford 
t-ship, Monmouth co., upon the Os- 
wego, or E. branch of Wading river, 
33 miles S. of Freehold, contains a 
saw mill, 2 taverns, and several 
dwellings, surrounded by pine forest. 
Cedar Creek, Stafl'ord t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., flows S. W. about 6 miles, 
into Little Egg Plarbour bay, 2 miles 
below the mouth of Manahocking 
creek. 

Cedar CrceJc, Dover t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., rises by several branches, 
and flows eastwardly about 16 miles, 
to the Atlantic ocean. The village of 
Williamsburg is seated upon it, near 
the head of tide water, and contains 
10 or 12 dwellings, 2 taverns, 2 stores, 
Goodluck is a thickly settled neigh- 
bourhood, a short distance on the S. 
W. The country on the E. is salt 
marsh ; elsewhere, sandy, and cover- 
ed with pine forest. 



CEN 



119 



CHA 



Cedar Creek, Fairfield t-ship, 
Cumberland co., rises in the t-ship, 
and flows westerly through it for 
about 10 miles, giving motion to se- 
veral mills, and emptying into Nan- 
tuxet cove, Delaware bay. It is na- 
vigable about 4 miles to Cedarville. 
Cedar Pond, small lake of about 
100 acres, Pompton t-ship, Bergen 
CO., sends forth a portion of its waters 
to supply the stream of Clinton forges. 
Cedar tiioamp Creek, Upper t-ship. 
Cape May co., rises in the t-ship by 
2 branches, and flows N. E. 8 miles, 
into Tuckahoe river. Its course is 
through an extensive cedar swamp. 

Cedar Sioamp C?-eek, of Egg Har- 
bour t-ship, Gloucester co., a mill 
stream, which flows S. W., by Bar- 
gaintown, about 7 or 8 miles, into 
Great Egg Harbour bay. 

Cedarville, p-t. of Fairfield t-ship, 
Cumberland co., pleasantly situated, 
on Cedar creek, at the head of 
navigation, about 4 miles from the 
mouth of the creek, 7 S. from Bridge- 
ton, 183, by post route, N. E. from 
W. C, and 77 S. from Trenton; con- 
tains about 60 dwellings, a store, and 
tavern, grist and saw mill, and an 
extensive button manufactory. The 
' country about it is sandy and poor ; 
. but the lots in the village are careful- 
ly cultivated and productive. Trade, 
wood and lumber. Inhabitants, 375.' 
Cedarville, of Caldwell t-ship, Es- 
sex CO., upon Peekman's run, about 
^ 2 miles above its confluence with the 
Passaic river. There are here seve- 
ral small mills, such as grist mill, saw 
mill, and cotton factory. 

Centreville, p-t. of Pittsgrove t-ship, 
' Salem co., upon Muddy run, and upon 
the line dividing Salem from Cumber- 
land CO., 17 miles S. E. from Salem 
town, and 75 S. from Trenton; con- 
tains some 12 or 15 dwellings, ta- 
vern, store, and school house. 

Centreville, East Windsor t-ship, 
Middlesex co., upon the turnpike road 
from Bordentown to Cranberry, 9 
miles from the former, and 18 miles 
, S. W. from New Brunswick, contains 
a tavern and several dwellings. 
Centreville, small village, of 



Knowlton t-ship, Warren co., on the 
road leading from Hope to Knowlton 
mills and Columbia; about 4 miles 
from the first and last, and 10 N. E. 
from Belvidere; contains a tavern, 
store, smith shop, Presbyterian church, 
and sevei'al dwellings. 

Centreville Post-Office, Hunter- 
don CO.; by post route, 189 miles 
from W. C, and 30 from Trenton. 

Chambers' Brook, tributary of the 
north branch of the Raritan, and S. 
E. boundary of Bedminster t-ship, 
Somerset co., rises in the mountain on 
the E., and flows S. W., about 4 miles 
to its recipient. 

Chambers' Mill Branch, a small 
stream, rising in the centre of Mon- 
tague t-ship, Sussex co., and flowing 
westerly, about 5 miles, into the river 
Delaware. It gives motion to several 
mills near its mouth. 

Change Water, furnace, on the 
Musconetcong creek, in Mansfield 
t-ship, Warren co., 3 miles from the 
village of Mansfield, and 10 S. E. 
from Belvidere, the county town. 

Charlottesburg, the name of a fur- 
nace, formerly on the Pequannock 
creek, Pompton t-ship, Bergen co., 
now in ruins. 

Charleston, small village, in the 
N. E. part of Bethlehem t-ship, Hun- 
terdon CO., on the Musconetcong 
mountain, 13 miles N. of Flcmington° 
Charleston, hamlet, of Kingwood 
t-ship, Hunterdon CO., 10 miles'w. of 
Flemington ; contains a tavern, store, 
and several dwellings. 

Chatham t-ship, Morris co., bound- 
ed north by Hanover t-ship ; E. and 
S. E. by the Passaic river, which 
separates it from Livingston, Spring- . 
field and New Providence t-ships, 
Sussex CO. ; W. and S. by Morris 
t-ship. Centrally distant, S. E. from 
Morristown, 6 miles; greatest length, 
N. and S. 9 miles , breadth, E. and 
W. 5 miles; area, 14,400; surface 
undulating, except on the south, 
which is covered by * Long Hill. 
Black Brook rises in the t-ship and 
flows W. to the Passaic river, through 
Morris t-ship. Bottle Hill, Chatham, 
and Columbia are villages of the 



CHE 



120 



CHE 



t-ship, the first, two post-towns ; popu- 
lation in 1830, 1865. In 1832 there 
were in the t-ship 340 taxables, 40 
single men, 9 stores, 3 saw mills, and 
5 grist mills, 5 distilleries, 1 fulling 
mill, 1 carding engine, 254 horses 
and mules, and 1015 neat cattle, un- 
der 3 years old; and the t-ship paid 
state tax, $248 35 ; county tax, $556 
04; poor tax, $600; road tax, $600. 
The turnpike roads from Ehzabeth- 
town and Newark cross this t-ship to 
Morristown. 

Chatham, p-t. of Chatham t-ship, 
Morx'is CO., on the road from Eliza- 
bethtown to Morristown, 10 miles 
from the one, and 1^ from the other ; 
220 N. E. from W. C, and 54 from 
Ti'enton ; contains 1 Presbyterian and 
1 Methodist church, an academy, 3 
stores, 2 taverns, a grist mill and saw 
mill, and between 40 and 50 dwell- 
ings. A thriving village, with neat 
dwellings, surrounded by a pleasant, 
well cultivated country, watered by 
the Passaic river, which flows through 
the town. 

Cheapdde, agricultural village, of 
Livingston t-ship, Essex co., on the 
turnpike road from Newark to Mor- 
ristown, 10 miles W. of the former. 

Chceseqiialce' s Creek, with several 
branches flowing into the Raritan 
bay, about 3 miles below Amboy, 
Middlesex co., drains a swamp of 
considerable extent. 

Chesnut Neck, strip of fast land, 
lying between Little Egg Plarbour 
river and Nacote creek, Galloway 
t-ship, Gloucester co. 

Chesnut Rim, small branch of the 
Assunpink creek, Upper Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co. 

Chester t-ship, Morris co., bounded 
N. by Roxbury t-ship, N. E. by Ran- 
dolph t-ship, E. by Mendham t-ship, 
S. by Bedminster t-ship, Somerset 
CO., and W. by Washington t-ship. 
Centrally distant W. from Morris- 
town 12 miles; greatest length N. 
and S. 9, breadth E. and W. o'" miles; 
area, 18000 acres; surface rolling; 
soil on the N. loam, on the S. grey 
limestone, under good cultivation; 
drained on the W. by the Black 



river, and on the E. by tributaries of 
the N. branch of the Raritan river; 
population in 1830, 1338. In 1832 
the t-ship contained 324 taxables, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30; 
23 single men, 3 stores, 5 saw mills, 
and 2 grist mills, 4 distilleries, 1 forge, 
2 fulling mills, and 311 horses and 
mules, and 669 neat cattle, above 3 
years of age ; and paid the following 
taxes: state, $193 14; county, $432 
43 ; poor $400 ; road, $400. 

Chester t-ship, Burlington co., 
bounded N. E. by the Rancocus 
creek, S. E. by Evesham t-ship, S. 
W. by Pensauken creek, which di- 
vides it from Gloucester co.. Water- 
ford t-ship, and N. W. by the river 
Delaware. Centrally distant S. W. 
from Mount Holly 9 miles; great- 
est length 7, breadth 6 miles ; area, 
22,000 acres; surface level; soil sand 
and sandy loam, of good quality, ge- 
nerally, well cultivated, and produc- 
tive of grass, grain, vegetables, and 
fruits. Beside the streams already 
mentioned, the t-ship is drained by 
the N. branch of Pensauken creek, 
by Pompeston creek, and Swede's 
branch, the last two emptying imme- 
diately into the Delaware. All are 
mill streams. The Rancocus Draw- 
bridge, Westfield, and Moorestown, 
are villages of the t-ship, the last a 
post-town; population in 1830, 2333. 
In 1832 the t-ship contained taxables 
524, householders 205, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30 ; single men 
96, stores 8, fisheries 5, grist mills 3, 
saw mills 6, tan vats 27, carding 
machines 2, distilleries for cider 3, 
coaches and chariots 7, two horse 
stages 2, dearborns 52, covered wa- 
gons 90, chairs and curricles 30, gigs 
and sulkies 22, neat cattle 1060, and 
horses and mules 570, over 3 years 
of age ; and it paid state tax, $336 38; 
county, $1173 91; and road tax, 
$1100. 

Chester, p-t. of Chester t-ship, 
Morris CO., on the turnpike road lead- 
ing from Morristown to Easton, 13 
miles N. W. from the former, 50 N. 
E. from Trenton, and 216 from W. 
C; at the foot of a low isolated moun- 



CLA 



121 



CLI 



tain, which covers it on the north ; it 
extends along the road for more than 
a mile, and contains 1 Presbyterian, 
and 1 Congregational church, 2 ta- 
■ verns, 3 stores, and about 30 dwell- 
ings, and lies upon, or near, a vein of 
grey limestone. 

Chesterfield t-ship, Burlington co., 
bounded N. W. and N. by Cross- 
- wick's creek, which divides it from 
Nottingham t-ship, S. E. by Hanover 
t-ship, S. W. by Bacon's run and 
Black's creek, and W. by the river 
Delaware. Centrally distant N. E. 
from Mount Holly 12 miles; greatest 
length N. and S. 8 miles; greatest 
breadth E. and W. 6 miles ; surface 
level; soil, generally, sandy, mixed 
with clay and loam ; drained by the 
cr6eks mentioned, which flow to the 
Delaware river, the bank of which is 
here considerably elevated, giving a 
picturesque appearance to the country, 
especially at and near Bordentown. 
Bordentown and Recklesstown are the 
post-towns, and only villages of the 
t-ship; population in 1830, 2386. In 
1832 the t-ship contained 554 taxa- 
bles, whose ratables did not exceed 
$30 ; 75 single men, 1030 neat cattle, 
and 510 horses, above 3 years old; 
10 stores, 1 saw mill, 2 grist mills, 
40 tan vats, 6 distilleries for cider, 2 
coaches and chariots, 3 phaetons and 
chaises, 7 four horse stages, 10 two 
horse stages, 41 dearborns, 58 cover- 
ed wagons, 8 chairs and curricles, 17 
gigs and sulkies ; and it paid state 
tax, $346 49; county tax, $1216 32 
and t-ship tax, ilOOO. 

Chew^s Landing, p-t. of Glouces- 
ter t-ship, Gloucester co., upon the 
N. branch of Big Timber creek, at 
the head of navigation, 9 miles S. 
E. from Camden, and 6 N. E. from 
Woodbury, 41 S. E. from Trenton, 
and 149 N. E. from W. C. It is a place 
of considerable business in lumber 
and cord wood, and contains 2 stores, 
2 taverns, 2 grist mills, and between 
30 and 40 dwellings, 1 Episcopal and 
1 Methodist church. 

Clarkesburg, hamlet, of Upper 
Freehold t-ship, Monmouth co., on 
'the road from Wrightsville to Free- 



hold court-house, 12 miles from the 
latter, and 20 from Trenton ; contains 
some half dozen dwellings, store and 
tavern. 

Clarkesborough, p-t. of Greenwich 
t-ship, Gloucester co., 5 miles S. W. 
from Woodbury, 44 from Trenton, 
and 150 from W. C; contains a store, 
tavern, and from 25 to 30 dwellings; 
and within 2 miles S. W. there is a 
Friend's meeting house. 

Clarkesville, (formerly called So- 
dom) p-t. of Lebanon t-ship, Hunter- 
don CO., on Spruce run, and on the 
Musconetcong mountain, on the west- 
ern line of the t-ship, 14 miles N. of 
Flemington, 37 from Trenton ; con- 
tains 1 tavern and store, 2 saw mills, 
2 grist mills, and 6 or 8 dwellings; 
the surface is very rough and stony, 
but parts are productive ; iron abounds 
in the mountain, and plumbago is also 
found in several places upon it, near 
the village. 

Clarkesville, small hamlet, of West 
Windsor t-ship, Middlesex co., on 
the straight turnpike road from Tren- 
ton to Brunswick, 7 miles N. E. from 
the one, and 18 S. W. from the other; 
contains 2 taverns, and 6 or 8 dwell- 
ings ; soil good, and country pleasant 
around it. 

Clementon, village, of Gloucester 
t-ship, Gloucester co., on a branch of 
Big Timber creek, 5 miles above 
Chew's landing, 10 miles S. E. of 
Woodbury, and 13 from Camden; 
contained formerly some glass works, 
at present 1 tavern, store, grist and 
saw mills, and some 12 or 15 dwell- 
ings ; marl abounds in the vicinity, 
and is advantageously used upon the 
soil. 

Clinton, formerly called Hunt's 
Mills, p-t., of Hunterdon co., on the 
south branch of Raritan river, at the 
point of junction of Lebanon, Bethle- 
hem, and Kingwood t-ships, lying 
partly in each, and on the turnpike 
road leading from Somerville to Eas- 
ton ; about 20 miles from the former, 
and 17 from the latter; 10 miles N. 
E. from Flemington, 33 from Tren- 
ton, and 210 from W. C. The town 
is built in a valley surrounded on all 



CLO 



122 



COL 



sides by hills, which on the N. N. E. 
and N. W., approach closely to it, 
but are more distant on the south. It 
contains 1 Presbyterian church, 1 
common English, and a Sunday 
school, 2 large grist mills, 2 runs of 
stones each, an oil mill, at which from 
8000 to 10,000 bushels of flaxseed 
are annually manufactured, a wool- 
len manufactory, with fulling mill 
and cards for country work, 3 stores, 
3 taverns, and 35 dwellings. The 
fall used at the water-works here, is 
8^ feet only, but a very great power 
may be obtained, the stream having a 
very rapid descent, and large volume. 
The surrounding country is very fer- 
tile, and carefully tilled, being enrich- 
ed by lime made from a grey stone, 
which in a broad vein skirts the Mus- 
conetcong mountain, and which rises 
in cliffs at the village, nearly 100 feet 
high. The average product in wheat 
here, is rated at 18 bushels the acre, 
and from the best farms 25 bushels 
the acre are obtained. Iron ore, and 
plumbago, abound in the neighbour- 
ing mountain, and the inhabitants 
look for increased prosperity from a 
rail-road contemplated to be made 
through their town, leading from 
Elizabethtown to Belvidere. The 
town lies 177 feet above tide water. 
By act of 19th February, 1833, au- 
thority was given to incorporate a 
company for any species of ma- 
nufacture here, with a capital of 
$120,000. 

Clinton Forge, Pompton t-ship, 
Bergen co., on a small stream flowing 
from Hanks, Cedar, and Buck ponds, 
and emptying into Pequannock creek, 
28 miles N. W. from Hackensack. 

Clonmell Creek, small stream of 
Greenwich t-ship, Gloucester co., 
flowing by a course of 2 or 3 miles 
into the Delaware river, opposite to 
Little Tinicum island. 

Closter, village, of Hackensack 
t-ship, Bergen co., 4| miles N. E. of 
Hackensack town, near the W. foot 
of the Palisade Hills, surrounded by a 
soil of rich loam, contains a tavern, a 
store, and from 12 to Indwellings. 

Closter Mountain, part of the Ber- 



gen ridge, Bergen co., Hackensack 
and Harrington t-ships, forming the 
right bank of the North river, and 
the Palisades. Its formation is trap, 
resting upon red and grey sandstone. 
Height about 400 feet; the eastern 
side precipitous, the west gently de- 
clining ; thickly settled and well cul- 
tivated; the top generally covered 
with wood. 

Clove River. (See Deep Clove 
River.) 

Clove Church, on the bank of 
Clove river. Wantage t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO. 

Cohansey River, rises in Upper 
AUoways creek t-ship, Salem co., its 
head waters interlocking with those of 
AUoways creek. It flows, thence, by a 
due S. course of 15 miles, by Bridge- 
ton, forming the division line between 
Deerfield and Hopewell t-ships. Cum- ' 
berland co., into Fairfield t-ship; 
turning, thence, westerly, it runs 
about 8 miles to the town of Green- 
wich, and thence by a meandering 
course S. W. of 7 or 8 miles, it unites 
with the Delaware bay. The river 
is banked in, above Greenwich, to 
which place it is navigable for large 
brigs and schooners; vessels of 80 
tons burthen ascend to Bridgeton, 20 
miles from the mouth. Above Bridge- 
ton the stream is not navigable, but. 
affords a very valuable water power, 
which is used at the town for driving 
a rolling and slitting mill, nail factory, 
and gristmill, &c. &c. (See Bridge- 
ton.) 

Cohansey Cove, bay of the Cohan- 
sey creek, Fairfield t-ship, Cumber- 
land CO., an inlet from the Delaware 
bay. 

Cold Spring Inlet, Lower t-ship, 
Cape May co., between Two Mile 
Beach, and Poverty Beach, upon the 
Atlantic sea-board. It is less than 
half a mile in width. It has its name 
from a spring about 3 or 4 miles 
inland, which sends its tribute to the 
ocean by this passage. 

Cold Spring, p-t., of Lower t-ship, 
Cape May co. Centrally situated on 
the road to Cape May Island, 9 miles 
S. from Cape May court-house, 112 



COL 



123 



COP 



from Trenton, and 117 N. E. from 
'W. C. ; contains 1 tavern, 2 stores, 
from 15 to 20 dwellings, and an Epis- 
copal church. It derives its name 
. . from a remarkble spring near it, 
which rises in the marsh, and is 
overflowed at every tide. 

Cold Brook, small tributary of 
■ Lamington river, flowing into it S. W. 
from Tewkesbury t-ship, Hunterdon 
CO., by a course of about 4 miles, 
giving motion to a mill near its 
mouth. 

Cold Branch, tributary of Hospi- 
tality creek, an arm of the Great Egg 
Harbour river, Hamilton t-ship, Glou- 
cester CO. 

Colestoton, hamlet, of Evesham 
t-ship, Burlington co., 12 miles S.W. 
- of Mount Holly, and 3 from Moores- 
town; contains an Episcopal church 
and several dwellings. 
^ Collard Branch, of the west arm 
of Wading river, rises in Northamp- 
ton t-ship, Burlington co., and flows 
S. W. about 8 miles, to its recipient, 
in Washington t-ship, at the head of 
the mill pond of Martha furnace. 

CoWs Neck, p-t., Shrewsbury 
t-ship, Monmouth co., 6 miles N. E. 

• of Freehold, 206 from W. C, and 41 
-from Trenton; contains from 15 to 

20 dwellings, 1 tavern, 2 stores, 3 
grist mills, 2 saw mills, a place of 
considerable business, on a soil of 
red and fertile sand. 

Columbia, village, of Chatham 

V t-ship, Morris co., on the turnpike 

'road from Newark to Morristown, 13 

. miles from the one, and 4 from the 

' other ; contains 1 store, 1 tavern, 

• and 5 or 6 dwellings, in a level plea- 

■ sant country. 

Columbia Forge, on Lubber run, 
centrally situate in Byram t-ship, 
Sussex CO. 

Columbia, p-t. and village, of 
Knowlton t-ship, on the Delaware 
river, near the mouth of Paulinskill, 

■ distant 253 miles from W. C, 94 
from Trenton, and 10 from Belvi- 
dere ; contains 2 taverns, a store, a 
Presbyterian church, a glass house, 
a saw mill, and 20 dwellings. The 
town is prettily situated on a high 



bank of the river, and surrounded by 
a limestone soil, tolerably well culti- 
vated. A company was incorporated 
by act of 12th February, 1833, with 
authority to employ $100,000 in the 
conduct of the glass works here. 

Columbia, p-t., of Hopewell t-ship, 
Hunterdon co., on the turnpike road 
from New Brunswick to Lambert- 
ville, 10 miles S. E. from Fleming- 
ton, 17 N. from Trenton, formerly 
called Hopewell Meeting House ; con- 
tains 1 Baptist meeting, 2 taverns, 1 
store, and 10 or 12 dwellings. 

Columbus, or Black Horse, p-t., 
of Mansfield t-ship, Burlington co., 7 
miles N. E. of Mount Holly, 5 S. E. 
fi'om Bordentown, 13 from Trenton, 
and 163 from W. C; contains a ta- 
vern, store, and about 30 dweUings, 
surrounded by a fertile country. 

Communipaw, village, on New 
York bay, 2 miles S. of Jersey city, 
Bergen t-ship, Bergen co., one of the 
earliest settlements of the Dutch, and 
remarkable for the tenacious adhe- 
rence of its inhabitants to their pri- 
mitive costume and manners; some 
15 or 20 dwellings, whose inhabi- 
tants are chiefly agriculturists. 

Congassa Run, tributary of the S. 
branch of Toms' river, Dover t-ship, 
Monmouth co. 

Cooper''s Creek, Gloucester co., 
rises by two branches, the N. near 
the E. boundary of the county, and 
the S. on, and forming, the line be- 
tween Waterford and Newton and 
Gloucester t-ships, uniting N. of 
Haddonfield, above which the stream 
is not navigable. There are mills on 
both branches near their sources. 

Cooperstown, Willingboro' t-ship, 
Burlington co., 7 miles N. W. from 
MountlHolly, and 3 S. W. from Bur- 
lington ; contains a Friends' meeting 
house, tavern, store, and 8 or 10 
dwellings. 

Copperas Mountain, Pequannock 
t-ship, Morris co., on the S. W. side 
of Greenpond valley, thus named on 
account of the large quantity of the 
sulphate of iron found here, and which 
was formerly made into the copperas 
of commerce. 



CRA 



124 



CRO 



Corson's Inlet, a passage of the 
sea, through the beach, to the la- 
gunes and marshes of Upper t-ship, 
Cape May co., about half a mile in 
width. 

Covrsenville, p-t. of Stillwater 
t-ship, Sussex co., distant by post- 
route from W. C. 239 miles, from 
Trenton 81 miles, and from Newton, 
S. W., five miles; contains a store 
and some half dozen dwellings; ad- 
jacent country, slate. 

Cove, small village of Upper Penn's- 
neck t-ship, Salem co., about 12 or 
13 miles N. of Salem, and 2 S. of 
Penn's Grove, on the river Delaware ; 
contains 8 dwellings, a tavern and 
store. 

Cox Hall CreeJe, small stream of 
Lower t-ship. Cape May co., flowing 
into the Delaware bay. 

Crahtoion, Howell t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO.; contains 10 or 12 dwell- 
ings, 2 taverns, and a store. 

Craffs Creek, Mansfield t-ship, 
Burlington co. ; rises near the eastern 
border of the t-ship, and flows W. 
and N. W. about 9 miles to the river 
Delaware, opposite the lower point of 
Newbold's island. By act of assem- 
bly passed 11th February, 1833, au- 
thority was given to make a rail or 
Macadamized road from the mouth of 
this creek to the neighbourhood of 
New Lisbon, a distance of 13 miles 
39 chains. 

Cranberry p-t., lying partly in 
South Brunswick t-ship, and partly 
in South Amboy t-ship, Middlesex 
CO., on the turnpike road leading 
from Bordentown to South Amboy, 
16 miles from the former, 185 from 
W. C, and 15 from Trenton; plea- 
santly situated in a level country, and 
light sandy soil ; contains a Presby- 
terian church with cupola and bell, 
an academy, a grist mill, 2 tanne- 
ries, 3 taverns, 2 stores, and from 
60 to 80 dwellings. Cranberry brook, 
tributary of the Millstone river, flows 
through the town. 

Cranberry Inlet, formerly from 
the ocean to Barnegat Bay, between 
Island beach and Squam beach. 
Crane's Gap, in the first moun- 



tain, Bloomfield t-ship, Essex co., 
through which passes the turnpike 
road from Newark to Rockaway. 

Craven'' s Ferry, p-o., Salem co. 

Cropwell, village of Evesham t-sp, 
Burlington co., near the western 
boundary, 11 miles S. W. of Mount 
Holly; contains a tavern, store, 12 
or 15 dwellings, and a Quaker meet- 
ing house; soil, sandy loam. 

Cross Keys, hamlet of Trenton 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., on the road 
from Trenton to Pennington; con- 
tains 4 or 5 dwellings. 

Cross Creeks, name given to small 
tributaries of Back creek, Fairfield 
t-ship, Cumberland co., near the De- 
laware bay, which intersect each 
other. 

Cross Roads, Bedminster t-ship, 
Somerset co., between 7 and 8 miles 
N. W. of Somerville, on Artie's 
brook, in a level, fertile, limestone 
country ; contains a store, tavern, and 
5 or 6 dwellings. 

Cross Roads, hamlet of South 
Brunswick t-ship, Middlesex co., 9 
miles S. W. from New Brunswick; 
contains 2 taverns, a store, and seve- 
ral dwellings ; soil, light and sandy. 

Cross Roads, hamlet of Evesham 
t-ship, Burlington co., 8 miles S. 
from Mount Holly; contains a ta- 
vern, a store, a Methodist church, 
and 8 or 10 dwellings; soil, sandy 
loam. 

Crosswick's Creele, the Indian name 
of which is said to be Clossweeksunk, 
a separation, rises by two branches, 
the north in Hanover t-ship, Bur-. 
lington CO., near Wrightstown ; and 
the south in Upper Freehold, Mon- 
mouth CO., uniting in the latter t-ship 
and county near Ncav Egypt, thenc6 
running northerly and north westerly 
across Chesterfield t-ship, Burlington 
CO., to the River Delawai-e, at Bor- 
dentown. It is a steady and service- 
able mill-stream, whose course is se- 
micircular, and in length about 25 
miles ; it is navigable to Grove Mill, 
about 6 miles from the mouth ; marl 
is frequently found on its banks. 

Crosswicks, p-t. of Chesterfield 
t-ship, Burlington co., on the high 



CUM 



125 



CUM 



southern bank of Crosswick's creek, 
4 miles E. from Bordentown, 14 N. 
E. from Mount Holly, 174 from 
W. C, and 8 S. E. from Trenton ; 
contains from 40 to 50 dwellings, a 
very large Quaker meeting house and 
school, 4 taverns, 5 or 6 stores, a saw 
mill and grist mill ; the village is 
pleasantly situated in a fertile coun- 
try, whose soil is sandy loam ; near 
the town is a bed of iron ore, from 
which considerable quantities are 
taken to the furnaces in the lower 

• part of the county. 

Culverts Pond, Frankford t-ship, 
Sussex CO., at the foot of the Blue 
mountain ; one of the western sources 
of the Paulinskill. 

Culver''s Gap, in the Blue moun- 
tain, between Sandistone and Frank- 
ford t-ships, Sussex co., through 
which the turnpike road from Milford 
passes; distant from Newton N. W. 
10 miles. 

Cumberland County, was taken al- 
together from Salem, by the act of 
19th Januaiy, 1748, with the follow- 
ing boundaries. Beginning at the 
mouth of Stow creek, thence up the 
creek to John Buck's mills, leaving 
the mills in this county; thence up 
Stow creek branch to the house of 
Hugh Dunn, leaving such house with- 
in the new county ; thence by a 
straight line to Nathan Shaw's house, 
also within the new county ; thence 
by a N. E. course, intersecting the 
Pilesgrove line ; thence leaving Piles- 
•grove, in Salem co., along such line 
till it intersects the line dividing the 

• counties of Gloucester and Salem ; 
thence S. E. down the Gloucester 

. line to the boundaries of Cape May 
CO. ; thence by such county to the 

■ Delaware bay, and up the bay to the 
place of beginning. By the same 
act, the county was divided into six 
precincts or townships, viz. Green- 
wich, Hopewell, Stow creek, Fair- 
field, Deerfield, and Maurice river; 
to which Milleville, taken from Mau- 
rice river and Fairfield t-ships, in 
1801, and Downe t-ship, have been 
since added. The county is bounded 
by the Delaware bay on the S. S. W., 



Salem co. N. W., Gloucester N. E., 
and Cape May co. on the S. E. Its 
greatest length is about 30 miles N. 
and S., and breadth 30 miles E. and 
W. ; area, 524 square miles, or 
33,500 acres ; central lat. 39° 20' N. ; 
Long. 2° E. from W. C. 

Geologically considered, Cumber- 
land CO. belongs to the belt of dilu- 
vial and alluvial formation, which ex- 
tends along the continent of North 
America, from Long Island to the 
Gulf of Mexico, and contains in 
place, the deposits of greenish blue 
marl, intermixed with shells, similar 
to those found in the limestone and 
grauwacke of the transition, and 
abundantly in the secondary horizon- 
tal limestone and sandstone, with beds 
of bog iron ore, and ochre. The ele- 
vated ridges between the streams, are 
crowned in places with sandstone 
and puddingstone cemented with iron 
ore. The marl beds yet developed, 
lie chiefly on Stow creek, and the 
iron ore in Greenwich t-ship. The 
marl is used for manure with much 
advantage upon the lighter soils, and 
its use is daily extending. The sur- 
face of the coimtry is generally flat ; 
the soil south of Cohansey creek is 
generally sandy. A salt marsh ex- 
tends along the Delaware bay, in 
breadth from half a mile to two 
miles, adjoining which, eastwardly, 
is a strip of clay and loam, having an 
average width of about a mile, tole- 
rably fertile and covered with farms. 
A prolific marsh borders the creeks, 
which are embanked, at various dis- 
tances from their mouths, and em- 
ployed for grazing cattle. The 
northern pai't of the county, particu- 
larly, that portion of it lying north 
and west of the Cohansey creek, is 
composed of clay and sandy loam, 
on which considerable quantities of 
wheat, oats and corn, are grown. 
The timber above Cohansey, consists 
of white oak, black and red oak, and 
hickory, which also characterize the 
clay and loam of the western belt. 
Below Cohansey, it is generally pine ; 
forests of which cover the greater 
portion of the eastern part of the 



CUM 



126 



CUM 



county, which, having been generally 
once, at least, cut over, are now in 
various stages of growth. 

The principal streams are Stow 
creek on the N. W. boundary ; Co- 
hansey creek in the N. W. section, 
Maurice river running centrally 
through the co., and Tuckahoe river 
upon the east. 

The chief towns are Bridgeton, the 
seat of justice, Greenwich, Deerfield, 
Roadstown, Millville, Port EUzabeth, 
Nantuxet, or Newport, Dividing 
Creek, Mauricetown, Bricksboro', 
Dorchester, Leesburg, and Marshall- 
ville, or Cumberland Works, Cedar- 
ville, and Fairton. 

There are in the county 2 fur- 
naces, one at Millville, and the other 
above Port Elizabeth, on the Mana- 
niuskin creek; and three extensive 
glass manufactories, one at Millville, 
one at Port Elizabeth, and the third 
at Marshall ville. At the last place, 
and on Maurice river, there is con- 
siderable ship building, in vessels of 
from 50 to 100 tons burthen. Large 
quantities of grain are exported from 
Bridgeton, and timber and cord wood 
from every creek of the county. 

The religious sects are Episcopali- 
ans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Metho- 
dists, and Quakers. 

A county Bible society holds its 
meetings at Bridgeton, and tempe- 
rance societies have been established 
with great success in the townships. 
The provisions for education consist 
of an academy at Bridgeton, another 
at Port Elizabeth, and common 
schools in the several towns and 
townships. 



The inhabitants of the county are 
derived chiefly from English, Swiss, 
and German settlers ; and it is proba- 
ble, from several circumstances, that 
a colony of Puritans, from Newhaven, 
was settled near the margin of the 
Delaware so early as 1640, some of 
whose descendants may yet remain. 

By the census of 1830, the popula- 
tion amounted to 14,093, of whom 
6723 were white males ; 6582 white 
females ; 2 female slaves ; 431 free 
coloured males; 355 free coloured 
females ; of which 27 were aliens, 4 
deaf and dumb, and 7 blind. 

By the abstract of the assessors, 
there were, in 1832, in the county, 
2742 taxables, 774 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 ; 
33 single men; 54 storekeepers, or 
merchants; two fisheries, 1 woollen 
manufactory, 1 cupola furnace, 2 
blast furnaces, 44 runs of stones for 
grinding grain, 21 saw mills, 1 forge, 
1 rolling and slitting mill, 1 fulling 
mill, 6 tanneries, 4 glass manufacto- 
ries, 4 distilleries for cider, 2053 
horses, 5713 neat cattle, above the 
age of 3 years, and 9 stud horses. 

By the act of 3d November, 1814, 
the county sends 3 members to the 
Assembly, 1 member to Council. 

The courts of common pleas and 
general quarter sessions, are liolden 
annually at Bridgeton, on the third 
Tuesday of February, the fourth 
Tuesday of September, the first Tues- 
day of June, and the last Tuesday of 
Nov. The circuit court is holden 
at the same place on the first Tuesday 
of June, and last Tuesday of Novem- 
ber, annually. 



DEC 127 DEE 

STATISTICAL TABLE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 





^ 


^ 






Population. 


Townships. 




cd 


Area. 










generally level. 


1810 


1820 


1830 


Deerfield, 


11 


9 


34,000 


1889 


1903 


2417 


Downe, 


14 


lU 


58,240 




1501 


1749 


1923 


Fairfield, 


15 


8 


46,720 




2279 


1869 


1812 


Greenwich, 


7 


6 


13,440 




858 


890 


912 


Hopewell, 


10 


6 


20,000 




1987 


1952 


1953 


Maurice River, 


19 


11 


79,360 




208 5 


2411 


2724 


Milleville, 


16 


16 


73,500 




1032 


1010 


1561 


Stow Creek, 


7 


6 


10,240 




1039 


884 
12,668 


791 




335,460 


12,670 


14,093 



Cumberland Furnace, on Mana- 
muskin creek, Maurice river t-ship, 
about 5 miles above Port Elizabeth, 
and 17 east of Bridgeton. 

Cumberland Works, (See Mar- 
shallville.) 

' Daretown, Pittsgrove t-ship, Salem 
CO., near the N. W. boundary, on the 
head waters of Salem river, 1 3 miles, 
a little N. of E. from Salemtovvn; 
contains 12 or 14 dwellings, 2 stores, 
one Presbyterian, and one Methodist 
church. 

Dead River, a tributary of the 
Passaic river, rising by several branch- 
es in the Mine mountain of Bernard 
t-ship, Somerset co., and flowing 
E. to its recipient, along the N. base 
of Stony Hill ; including Harrison's 
-brook, its longest branch, its length 
may be about 9 miles. 

I)nyton''s Bridge, post-office, Sa- 
lem county. 

Danville, post-office, Warren co. 
Deal, small hamlet, and watering 
place, 220 miles N. E. from W. C, 
and 64 from Trenton, on Poplar 
Swamp creek, about a mile from the 
sea, in Shrewsbury t-ship, Monmouth 
• CO., 16 miles E. from Freehold, and 
3 S. of Long Branch boarding houses. 
There are several boarding houses at 
this place, where from 50 to 100 per- 
sons may be comfortably accommo- 
dated. 

Deckertown, p-t., of Wantage 
t-ship, Sussex co., at the intersection 
of' the Newton and Bolton, with the 
Paterson and Hamburg turnpike 



road; 244 miles from W. C, 86 
from Trenton, and 14 from Newton. 
The town contains a grist mill, a 
Presbyterian church, 4 stores, 2 ta- 
verns, and from 15 to 20 dwellings, 
and lies in a rich limestone country. 

Deep Brook, Caldwell t-ship, Es- 
sex CO., rises in the Second mountain, 
and flows N. to the Passaic river, 
having a semicircular course of 3 
or 4 miles, and receiving a small tri- 
butary, called Green Brook. 

Deep Creek, Lower Alloways 
creek t-ship, Salem co., rises in that 
t-ship, and flows S. W., a meander- 
ing course, through the meadows and 
marshes for 7 or 8 miles, to the Dela- 
ware. It is not navigable. 

Deep Creek, Shrewsbury t-ship, 
Monmouth co., makes in from the 
ocean, between 1 and 2 miles ; less 
than a mile above Shark inlet. 

Deep Clove River, a tributary of 
Wallkill river ; rises at the east foot 
of the mountain, in Wantage t-ship, 
and flows S. E. by a course of 12 
miles, to its recipient ; receiving from 
the S. W. the Papakating creek, a 
short distance below Deckertown. 
There are several mills on both these 
streams. 

Deep, or Great Run, a tributary 
of the Great Egg Harbour river, 
Hamilton t-ship, Gloucester co., into 
which it flows from the west, about a 
mile below Weymouth furnace. 

Deep Run, tributary of South ri- 
ver, rises in Upper Freehold t-ship, 
Monmouth co., and flows by a N. W. 



DEL 



128 



DEL 



course of between 8 and 9 miles, to 
its recipient, in South Amboy t-ship, 
Middlesex co., a mill stream. 

Deerjield Toionship, Cumberland 
CO., bounded N. E. by Pittsgrove 
t-ship, N. W. by Upper AUoways 
creek t-ship, Salem co. ; S. by Fair- 
field and Millville t-ships, and W. 
by Hopewell t-ship, Cumberland 
CO. Greatest length, N. and S. 11 
miles, breadth, E. and W. 9 miles; 
area, 34,000 acres. Surface, level ; 
soil, clay, gravel and sand, and not 
remarkable for fertility, but improv- 
ing under the application of marl. 
It is drained by the Cohansey creek, 
which runs southward along its west- 
ern boundary, and by Muddy i-un, a 
branch of Maurice river, which flows 
on the S. E. line. Population in 1830, 
2,417: In 1832, there were in the 
t-ship, taxables, 305; 2 Presbyterian, 
1 Baptist and 1 Methodist church; 
1 academy and several schools; 118 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30; 11 stores; 9 pairs of 
stones for grinding grain ; one wool- 
len manufactory ; 2 saw mills ; 1 full- 
ing mill; 316 horses, and 560 neat 
cattle, above the age of 3 years ; and 
the township paid for township pur- 
poses, $500, and for county and state 
tax, $835 25. Bridgeton, Deerfield 
and Carllsburg are towns of this t-ship. 

Deerfield Street, post town of 
Deerfield t-ship, Cumberland co., 7 
miles N. of Bridgeton ; 165 miles N. 
E. of Washington city, and 63 S. 
from Trenton; contains from 20 to 
25 dwellings, occupied chiefly by 
agriculturists, 1 tavern, 1 store, and 
a Presbyterian church. 

DelVs Brook, small branch of the 
Rockaway river, flowing eastwardly 
about 5 miles through Pleasant val- 
ley, Randolph t-ship, Morris co. 

Delaware River and Bay, called 
by the Indians, Poutaxat, Marisque- 
ton, Makeriskitton, Makeriskkiskon, 
Lenape- Wihittuck (stream of the Le- 
nape,) by the Dutch, Zuydt or South 
river, Charles river, and Nassau river, 
and by the Swedes, Neio Swedeland 
stream, one of the most considerable 
in N. America, rises by two princi- 



pal branches, in the state of New 
York. The northernmost, the Mo- 
hatck or Cooquago, issues from Lake 
Utsaemthe lat. 42° 45', takes a S. W. 
course, and turning S. E. crosses 
the Pennsylvania line in lat. 42°. 
Seven miles below this point it re- 
ceives the Popackton branch, which 
rises in the Katskill mountain, from 
the S. E. It touches the N. W. cor- 
ner of N. Jersey, in lat. 41° 24', at 
Carpenter's Point, at the mouth of 
the Nevisink or Mackackomack ri- 
ver. The course of the current, 
above and below the Blue mountain, 
is crooked; and is through a moun- 
tainous country, until it leaves the 
Water Gap. The Delaware Water 
Gap is one of the greatest natural cu- 
riosities of the state. It would seem, 
from the quantity of alluvial lands, 
above the mountain, that at some 
remote period, a dam of great 
height, here, impeded the progress of 
the river. Had the dam been half as 
high as the mountain, it would have 
turned the water into the North river. 
It may have had an elevation of 150 
or 200 feet, forming a lake of more 
than 50 miles in length; extending 
over the Minisink settlements. It 
has been conjectured that this dam 
was engulphed by some great con- 
vulsion of the earth; and the opinion 
is supposed to be sustained by the ex- 
traordinary depth of the channel in 
several places of its passage through 
the mountain. • An hundred years 
ago the boatmen reported, that they 
could not reach the bottom with their 
longest lines ; and even now we are 
informed that the bottom in these 
places cannot be attained with two 
plough lines attached to each other. 
But we see nothing in these appear- 
ances that renders it necessary to 
resort to the conjecture, that an earth- 
quake was employed to open an ade- 
quate passage for the river, and that 
it performed its office with such ac- 
curacy, and economy of power, as to 
do no more than was indispensable, 
and to leave the rugged and lofty 
wall, 1600 feet high, rising almost 
precipitously from the water's edge, 



DEL 



129 



DEL 



unbroken. The distance through the 
mountain is about two miles. The rock 
presents a great variety of strata, in 
which granitic rock, slate, grauwacke 
and the old sandstone alternate. The 
sandstone is, at one place, at least, 
and probably at others, so soft as to 
disintegrate rapidly. At the place re- 
ferred to, the water has scooped out a 
basin from the hill of many acres in 
extent, which are now under cultiva- 
tion. Before the bed of the river was 
broken down, there must have been 
a cataract here, higher than that of 
Niagara. Supposing the waters to 
have been poured over the precipice 
upon a bed of soft or disjointed stones, 
very deep excavations must have 
been made, which the gi'eat mass of 
waters, in seasons of freshet, would 
continue to preserve. It is probable 
that so much of the mountain as 
forms the present bed of the river 
was, throughout, of soft or very fria- 
ble material. The stream has obvi- 
ously sought the most practicable 
passage ; and to attain it, has formed 
an almost right-angled course through 
the mountain. Whatever may have 
been the resistance, the conquest has 
been complete, and it now flows 
through the deep ravine in calm and 
silent majesty, without a ripple to 
tell of its whereabout ; and occasion- 
ally resting in motionless pools, of 
from two to three hundred yards 
wide, as if to reflect the picturesque 
scenery which surrounds and hangs 
over it. 

The lovers of diversified nature 
cannot visit this spot without high 
gratification. The " Gap," the 
break, in the almost unvarying line 
of the Kittatinny mountain is visible 
at nearly as great a distance as the 
mountain itself. As we approach it 
from the S. E., the ground rises ra- 
pidly, almost precipitously, differing 
in this particular, as do all the moun- 
tain ranges of our country, from the 
N. W. declivity, whose descent is long 
and gradual. At the entrance, the sides 
of the mountain, close to the water's 
edge, leave scarce room for a road, 
overhung by immense masses of rock. 



threatening destruction to the travel- 
ler beneath. The passage, however, 
widens as we proceed, and the scene- 
ry assumes a less imposing character. 
Verdant isles stud the bosom of the 
stream, and contrast beautifully with 
the rocky and wood -clad eminences, 
which now have a more rounded 
form. These islands are rich, and 
bear the most luxurious harvests. 
About two-thirds of the way through 
the mountain from the Jersey shore, 
may be seen, most advantageously, 
near Dutotsburg, on the Pennsylva- 
nia bank, the pretty cascade formed 
by Cherry creek, which precipitates 
its waters in foam and spray, over a 
declivity of more than 50 feet. 

" The sunbow's rays still arch 
The torrent with the many hues of heav'n, 
And roll the sheeted silver's waving co- 
lumn 
O'er the crags headlong perpendicular, 
And fling its lines of foaming light along, 
And to and fro, like the pale courser's tail, 
The giant steed, to be bestrode by Death, 
As told in the Apocalypse." — Byron. 

On the top of the mountain, 2 miles 
from the " Gap," is a large chalybeate 
spring, which deposits much ferrugi- 
nous ochre, similar to that of the Paint 
spring of Freehold t-ship, Monmouth 
CO. ; and, also, a deep lake, near a 
mile in circumference, well stored 
with fish. The margin of the river, 
above the mountain, is narrow, but 
very fertile ; and, on the Pennsylva- 
nia side, abounds in lime. A road 
follows each bank through the moun- 
tain. That on the Jersey shore, 
rough, but safe, was made in the year 
18.30, by the aid of a donation of 
$2000 from the state. Before its 
completion, we are told, that the in- 
habitants, north of the mountain, made 
their way over the precipices by means 
of laddei's of ropes. 

We know no more admirable spot 
for a summer retreat than at the 
foot of the mountain, on the north 
side of the Gap. Here might be en- 
joyed the charms of diversified and al- 
ways delightful scenery; a revivify- 
ing breeze, which follows the river 
through the sinuosities of its valley — 
fine rides on its banks, into the rich 



DEL 



130 



DEL 



limestone country of the Wallpack; 
renovated vigour from the bracing mi- 
neral fountain ; fine fishing upon the 
lake, the river and mountain brooks, 
of which the richest spoil is the gilded 
perch and speckled trout ; and the 
more manly exercise of shooting, the 
country abounding in game. A good 
house established at Brotzmanville, 
upon the prattling stream, which there 
makes the air musical, and which 
might be used with great convenience 
for baths, and other purposes, we 
think would be much encouraged, 
provided the road through the moun- 
tain be kept in good order. 

From New Jersey, the principal 
tributaries to the Delaware, above 
tide water, are Flatkill, Paulinskill, 
Pequest, Musconetcong, Laokatong, 
the Wickhechecokc, and the Assim- 
pink ; below tide, the Crosswicks, 
Rancocus, Cooper's, Oldman's, Sa- 
lem, Stow, and Cohansey creeks, and 
Maurice river. At Easton, the Dela- 
ware receives, from Pennsylvania, 
the Lehigh river. From the South 
mountain, below Easton, to the tide 
water at Trenton, the river has a S. 
W. course of about 60 miles, in which 
there are 25 noted rapids, with an 
aggregate fall of 165 feet. But the 
navigation has been improved, and is 
safe at the ordinary height of the wa- 
ter. From Easton to Bristol, the 
Delaware division of the Pennsylva- 
nia canal has been completed, and in 
connexion with the Lehigh canal, af- 
fords advantageous communication 
with the coal mines, and the valley of 
the Lehigh river. Two surveys have 
been made for a canal along the val- 
ley of the Delaware from Easton to 
Carpenter's Point. 

The Delaware and Raritan canal 
receives its water by a feeder, which 
taps the river on the left bank, about 
23 miles above Trenton. The Mor- 
ris canal enters the river below Phil- 
lipsburg, and opposite to Easton. 

At Camden, opposite Philadelphia, 
the river is divided into two channels, 
by Petty's and Smith's islands. The 
western, near the centre of Phila- 
delphia, is 900 feet wide, with a mean 



depth of 30 feet ; the eastern is 9100 
feet wide, with a mean depth of 9 feet ; 
the whole area equal to 46,350 feet, 
affording a commodious and safe har- 
bour, to which ships of the line may 
ascend. 

At the head of the bay, at Dela- 
ware City, and opposite to Fort Dela- 
ware, which commands the passage 
of the river ; the Delaware and Che- 
sapeake canal, 14 miles in length, 
connects this with the Chesapeake 
bay, and its many tributary rivers. 
This point is distant from Camden 45 
miles, and the bay extends, thence, 75 
miles to the ocean, with a width vary- 
ing from 3 to 30 miles, occupying an 
area of 630,000 acres. Its naviga- 
tion is difficult and dangerous, being 
infested with shoals, which often prove 
destructive. It opens into the Atlan- 
tic, between Cape Henlopen, on the 
S. E., and Cape May, on the N. E., 
which are about 20 miles apart. The 
length of the bay and river, to the 
head of tide, at Trenton, is 155 
miles. A 74 gun ship may ascend 
to Philadelphia, 120 miles; sloops, 
to Trenton falls; boats, of 8 or 10 
tons, 100 miles above them; and ca- 
noes 150 miles higher. 

Below Port Penn, 70 miles from 
the sea, the bay affords no safe har- 
bourage ; nor is there S. of New York, 
for several hundred miles, any place, 
where a vessel, during the rudest sea- 
son of the year, when approach to the 
coast is most dangerous, may seek 
protection against the elements. The 
losses from this cause have induced 
the national government to form an 
artificial port, or breakwater, at the 
entrance of the bay. The law for 
this purpose was enacted, in 1828-9, 
and the work is in steady progression, 
and will be speedily completed. The 
anchorage ground, or roadstead, is 
formed by a cove in the southern 
shore, directly west of Cape Henlo- 
pen ; and the seaward end rests on an 
extensive shoal, called the Shears; 
the tail of which makes out from the 
shore about 5 miles up the bay, near 
Broadkill creek ; whence it extends 
eastward, and terminates at a point, 



DEL 



131 



DEN 



about 2 miles to the N. of the shore, 
at the cape. The breakwater con- 
sists of an isolated dyke, or wall of 
stone; the transversal section of 
which is a trapezium, the base i-est- 
ing on the bottom, and the summit 
line forming the top of the work. 
The other sides represent the inner 
and outer slopes of the work ; that to 
the seaward being the greater. The 
inward slope is 45°, the top horizon- 
tal, 22 feet in breadth, and raised 5^ 
feet above the highest spring tides ; 
the outward, or sea slope, is 39 feet 
in altitude, on a base of 105| feet; 
both these dimensions being measured, 
in relation to a horizontal plane, pass- 
ing by a point 27 feet below the low- 
est spring tides. The base bears to 
the altitude nearly the same ratio as 
similar lines in the profiles of the Cher- 
bourg and Plymouth breakwaters. 
The opening or entrance from the 
ocean is 650 yards wide, between the 
north part of the cape and east end of 
the breakwater, and will be accessible 
by all winds from the sea. The 
Breaktvater, proper, is a dyke in a 
straight line from E. S. E. to W. N. 
W., 1200 yards in length. At the 
distance of 350 yards from the upper 
or westei-n end, that space forming 
the upper entrance, a similar dyke, 
500 yards long, is projected in a di- 
rect line W. by S. | S., forming an 
angle of 146° 15' with the breakwa- 
ter. This part of the work is design- 
ed as an icebreaker. 

The whole length of the two dykes 
will be 1700 yards, and they will con- 
tain, when finished, 900,000 cubic 
yards of basalt and granite rock, 
weighing from a quarter of a ton to 
three tons, and upwards. The depth 
of water, at low tide, is from 4 to six 
fathoms, over a surface of 7 tenths of 
a square mile. Although unfinished, 
this magnificent work has already 
proved its utility, saving many vessels 
and many valuable lives. 

There are five bridges erected over 
the Delaware river, viz. at Trenton, 
at Lambertville, at Prallsville, at 
Philipsburg, and at Columbia. Au- 
thority has also been given to erect a 



bridge over the river at Philadelphia, 
and another opposite Taylorsville. 
The Delaware and Hudson canal 
ci'osses the river by means of a dam, 
constructed below the mouth of the 
Lackawaxan. 

Den Brook, mill stream and tri- 
butary of the Rockaway river, rises 
in Randolph t-ship, Morris co., and 
flows by a course N. E., about 8 
miles along the N. W. base of Trow- 
bridge mountain, to its recipient near 
Danville. 

Dennis's Creek t-ship, Cape May 
CO., bounded N. E. by Upper t-ship, 
S. E. by the Atlantic ocean, S. by 
Middle t-ship, S. W. by Delaware 
Bay, W. and N. W. by Maurice 
River t-ship, Cumberland co. Cen- 
trally distant from Cape May court- 
house N. 9 miles ; greatest length E. 
and W. 14 miles ; breadth N. and S. 
S\ miles ; area, 43,500 acres. Den- 
nis's creek runs on the S. W. bor- 
der, through a very extensive cedar 
swamp, and the northern part of the 
t-ship consists of sandy plains ; the 
population in 1830 was 1508. In 
1832 the t-ship contained about 300 
taxables, 198 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 ; 3 grist 
mills, 7 saw mills, 2 carding ma- 
chines, 8 stores, and 1 85 horses, 503 
head of neat cattle, over 3 years of 
age ; it paid t-ship tax, $94 27 ; state 
tax, 162 75; and county tax, $503 
54. Part of Ludlam's beach fronts 
the ocean, between which and Leam- 
ing's beach, the tide rushes in over 
the marshes and lagunes which bor- 
der the eastern boundary for a breadth 
of about 2 miles. Dennis's Creek is 
the post-town. There are 2 churches 
in the t-ship. 

Dennises Creek, p-t. of Dennis's 
Creek t-ship. Cape May co., at the 
head of the navigation of Dennis's 
creek, 6 or 7 miles from the Dela- 
ware bay, 7 miles N. from Cape May 
court-house, 194 from W. C, and 97 
from Trenton ; contains from 30 to 
40 dwellings, 2 taverns, 5 stores, and 
a tide grist mill. The town is built 
on both sides of the creek, extending 
each way, about half a mile. Ship 



Die 



132 



DOV 



building and trade in lumber are car- 
ried on extensively here. The coun- 
try around it, above the marsh, is of 
sandy loam. 

DenrCs Branch, of Stow creek, a 
small tributary of Stow creek, Salem 
CO., flowing westerly into its recipient 
by a course of 3 or 4 miles. 

Denville, p-t. of Hanover t-ship, 
Morris co., on the right bank of the 
Rockaway river, 7 miles N. of Mor- 
ristown, 231 N. E. from W. C, and 
65 from Trenton ; contains a store, 
tavern, cider distillery, and 6 or 8 
dwellings. 

Devits Brook, small tributary of 
the Millstone river, in South Bruns- 
wick t-ship, Middlesex co., flowing S. 
W. about 5 miles to the river. 

Deptford t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded N. E. by Gloucester t-ship, 
S. E. by Hamilton t-ship, S. W. by 
Greenwich t-ship, and N. W. by the 
river Delaware. Greatest length N. 
W. and S. E. 25, and breadth 7 
miles ; area, 57,600 acres ; surface 
level ; soil sandy : in the northern 
part, grass, vegetables, and fruit are 
successfully cultivated ; the southern 
is chiefly pine forest, valuable for 
timber and cord wood. It is drained 
northward by Big Timber creek ; 
Mantua creek on the west boundary ; 
and southward by Innskeeps, Squan- 
kum, and Faraway, branches of the 
Great Egg Harbour river. Iron ore, 
and some chalybeate waters are found 
within 2 miles of Woodbury. Wood- 
bury, the seat of justice for the coun- 
ty, Malaga, and Glassborough, are 
post-towns of the t-ship ; population 
in 1830, 3599. In 1832 the town- 
ship contained 449 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 
in value, 19 stores, 8 fisheries, 6 
grist mills, 1 cotton and 1 woollen 
manufactory, 1 carding machine, 9 
saw mills, 1 ferry, 1 distillery, 1 
glass factory, 1389 neat cattle, and 
672 horses and mules above the age 
of 3 years. 

Dickerson, the seat of the Hon. 
Mahlon Dickerson, former Governor 
of New Jersey, and representative of 
that state in the United States Senate, 



and the site of one of the most ex- 
tensive and valuable iron mines in 
the state; ten miles N. W. from 
Morristown, Randolph t-ship, Morris 
county, upon the northern part, or 
continuation of Schooley's mountain. 

Dillon's Landing, Dover t-ship, 
Monmouth co., on the north side of 
Toms' river bay, about 2 miles from 
its confluence with Barnegat bay. 

Dividing Creek, Downe t-ship, 
Cumberland co., rises centrally in 
the t-ship, and flows southerly by a 
very crooked course of 10 or 12 
miles, into Maurice creek cove, in 
Delaware bay. It is navigable to the 
village of Dividing Creek. 

Dividing Creek, p-t. of Downe 
t-ship, Cumberland co., about 17 
miles S. of Bridgeton, 86 from Tren- 
ton, and 192 N.^E. from W. C; con- 
tains from 25 to 30 dwellings, a store, 
tavern, and grist mill. 

Dogtown, a mountain hamlet, on 
the line separating Amwell from 
Kingwood t-ship, Hunterdon co., 5 
miles N. W. from Flemington; con- 
tains a tavern, a wheelwright shop, 
and two or three cottages. 

Doctor^s Creek, branch of the 
Crosswicks, rises near Clarkeville, in 
the eastern part of Upper Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co., and flows by a 
west course of about 14 miles, by Im- 
laystown and Allentown, to its reci- 
pient near the Sand Hills in Notting- 
ham t-ship, Burlington co., turning 
several mills by the way. 

Dorchester, village, of Maurice 
river t-ship, Cumberland co., on the 
left bank of the river, about 10 miles 
from the Delaware bay, and 20 S. E. 
from Bridgeton ; contains between 30 
and 40 dwellings, 1 tavern, and 2 
stores. The soil about it is sandy. 

Dorson^s Brook, tributary of the 
north branch of Raritan river, Mend- 
ham t-ship, Morris co., having a 
course on and near the west t-ship 
line of about 4 or 5 miles. 

Z>ot5er t-ship, Monmouth co., bound- 
ed N. by Howell and Freehold t-ships, 
E. by the Atlantic Ocean, S. by Staf- 
ford t-ship, S. W. by Northampton 
and Hanover t-ships, Burlington co.. 



DOV 



133 



DRA 



and N. W. by Upper Freehold. Cen- 
trally distant S. from Freehold, 24 
miles ; greatest length E. and W. 22 ; 
■breadth N. and S. 17 miles; area, 
including Barnegat bay, and the At- 
lantic beach, 200,000 acres. It ex- 
tends from the Atlantic Ocean to the 
• western line of the county. Surface 
generally level, but there are some 
hills in the south, at the head of 
Forked river, called Forked River 
mountains; soil, generally sand or 
light gravel, covered with pine forest, 
whence enormous quantities of tim- 
ber and cord wood are taken for the 
New York market, and for the supply 
of iron works in the t-ship. It is 
dramed E. by Toms' river and its 
several branches, Cedar creek, and 
Forked river ; on the W. by some 
branches of the Rancocus. Toms' 
river, Cedar creek, and Goodluck, are 
villages ; the two first post-towns of 
the t-ship. Population in 1 830, 2898. 
In 1832, the t-ship contained about 
550 taxables, 201 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed 30 dol- 
lars, 72 single men, 9 stores, 7 saw 
mills, 2 grist mills, 3 blast furnaces, 
350 horses and mules, and 925 neat 
cattle, 3 years old and upwards; and 
paid in state and county taxes, 
$1265 06. 

_ Dover, p-t. of Randolph t-ship, Mor- 
ris CO., on the Rockaway river, 8 
miles N. W. from Morristown, 233 
N. E. from W. C, and 67 from Tren- 
ton ; the mountains recede here, and 
form a small plain, on which the town 
is built, on several streets and on both 
sides of the river, which is passed by 
one, perhaps more bridges. It con- 
tains 3 large rolling and slitting mills, 
boring and turning engines, a cupola 
furnace or foundery, and saw mill, the 
property of the heirs of the late Mr. 
M'Farlane, of New York, a factory 
of machinery, owned by W. Ford, a 
bank with an actual capital of $50,000 
■and the right to extend it to $150,000, 
an academy, used also as a church, 
and about 30 dwellings; much busi- 
ness has formerly been done here; 
the Morris canal descends into the 
valley by an inclined plane and 4 



locks ; a valuable iron mine, known 
as " Jackson's," hear the town, is 
extensively worked, and governor 
Dickerson's mine is about 3 miles 
distant. 

Downe t-ship, Cumberland co., 
bounded N. by Fairfield and Mille- 
ville t-ship, E. by Maurice river, 
S. and W. by the Delaware. Cen- 
trally distant, S. E. from Bridgeton, 
14 miles; greatest length E. and W. 
14, breadth N. and S. 12 miles; area, 
58,240 acres; surface, level; soil, 
marsh upon the bay and Maurice 
river; loam for a narrow strip of 
about a mile in width, adjoining the 
marsh, the remainder sandy. Mau- 
rice river follows the whole of the 
east boundary; Nantuxet creek the 
north-west, between which flows Di- 
viding, Oranoken, Fishing, Broad, 
Oyster, and Fortescue creeks. Po- 
pulation in 1830, 1923; in 1832, 
there were in the t-ship, taxables, 
310, householders 93, whose ratables 
did not exceed $30; stores 6, grist 
mills 5, saw mills 2, carding ma- 
chine 1 ; 120 horses, 901 cattle above 
the age of 3 years; Mauricetown, 
Newport, Dividing Creek, Port Nor- 
ris, and Buckshutem, are villages of 
the t-ship, of which the three first are 
post-towns. 

Double Pond, a sheet of water in 
the Wawayanda mountain, Sussex 
CO., which sends forth northwardly a 
small stream called Double Pond 
creek, which unites with Warwick 
creek, in the state of New York. 

Drakestoum, Morris co., on the 
fine dividing Washington from Rox- 
bury t-ship, on the road from Morris- 
town to Hackettstown, 15 miles from 
the former and three from the latter, 
and upon Schooley's mountain ; con- 
tains a store, and from 12 to 15 
dweUings. 

Drakesville, Roxbury t-ship, Mor- 
ris CO., on the turnpike road leading 
from Morristown by Stanhope fur^ 
nace, 12 miles N. E. from the for- 
mer, and upon the Morris canal ; con- 
tains a tavern, a store, and from 12 
to 15 dwellings. The country on 
the S. and S. E. is level, sandy, and 



DUG 



134 



'IP: 



EDG 



poor ; on the N. hilly and rough, but 
improving by the use of lime. 

Drowned Lands, on the line sepa- 
rating Wantage from Vernon t-ships, 
Sussex CO., and extending thence 
into Orange co., of New York. 
This is a morass of unusual extent 
for the northern states, and celebrated 
for the yearly inundation to which it 
is subject, and the malaria which it 
occasions during the autumn. It is 
twenty miles long, and varies in 
breadth from 1 to 5 miles. Through 
it flows the Wallkill, with a current 
scarce perceptible, to whose waters, 
when swelled by the spring freshets, 
it owes its annual submergence. It 
is composed of an accumulation of ve- 
getable matter, whose surface is im- 
perfectly converted into soil, abound- 
ing with carbonaceous substance, em- 
pyreumatic oil, and gallic acid, and 
covered in midsummer with rank and 
luxuriant vegetation. The ditches, 
made in several places, in forming 
roads across it, disclose peat of excel- 
lent quality. This equivocal lake en- 
circles several islands, the largest of 
which contains 200 acres of excellent 
land, well cultivated ; the smaller ones 
are uninhabited, and generally cover- 
ed with wood, among which the beau- 
tiful flowering shrub. Rhododendron 
Maximmn, laurelled leaved rose tree, 
grows abundantly. The rocks on the 
island, and upon the borders of the 
morass, indicate that it reposes on 
blue cherty limestone; but in one 
place, at least the island near Wood- 
ville, primitive limestone, the rock of 
the neighbouring country appears. 
No successful eflbrt has yet been 
made to drain this vast swamp, which 
is abandoned as pasturing ground to 
cattle on the subsidence of the spring 
inundation, for a few weeks only, and 
is for the rest of the year a desolate 
waste. 

Drij Branch, tributary of Paulin's 
creek, Knowlton t-p. Warren co. 

Duch Island, in the Delaware ri- 
ver, above Bordentown, in Notting- 
ham township, Burlington county. It 
is somewhat more than a mile in 
length. 



Dunker Pond, south of Bear Fort 
mountain, Pompton t-ship, Bergen co., 
sends forth a small tributary to the 
Pequannock creek. 

Dunks's Ferry, a noted and long 
established ferry on the Delaware ri- 
ver, Willingboro' t-ship, Burlington 
CO., 4 miles below the city of Burling- 
ton. 

Dyer^s Creek, a small marsh 
stream of Middle t-ship, Cape May 
CO., which flows into the Delaware, 
after a course of 3 or 4 miles. 

Dutch Neck, village of W. Wind- 
sor t-ship, Middlesex co., 18 miles S. 
W. from Trenton ; contains a tavern 
and 3 or 4 stores ; soil, gravelly and 
poor. 

East Creek, mill stream of Dennis 
t-ship. Cape May co., flowing about 
7 miles S. W. into the Delaware bay. 

East Windsor. (See Windsor, 
East.) 

Eayrstown, village of Northamp- 
ton t-ship, Burlington co., on the S. 
branch of Rancocus creek, near the 
junction of Haines' creek with that 
stream, and at the head of tide, be- 
tween 3 and 4 miles S. W. from 
Mount Holly ; contains a cotton fac- 
tory, a grist mill, saw mill, fulling 
mill, 1 tavern, 1 store, and 12 or 15 
dwellings; soil, sandy loam, fertile 
and well cultivated. 

Edinburgh, W. Windsor t-ship, 
Middlesex co., on the Assunpink 
creek, 18 miles S. W. from N. B., 
and 8 miles E. of Trenton; contains 
a Presbyterian dliurch of wood, 1 
store, 1 tavern, a gi-ist mill, and 12 
or 14 dwellings ; soil, sandy and 
light. 

Eaton, p-t. of Shrewsbury t-ship, 
Monmouth co., 2 miles S. from 
Shrewsburytown, upon Shrewsbury 
river, 11 miles from Freehold, 48 
from Trenton, and 213 from W. C, 
on a branch of Swimming river, 1^ 
miles above navigable water ; con- , 
tains about 30 dwellings, 5 or 6 stores, 
2 taverns, a grist mill, and an aca-", 
demy, in a pleasant and fertile coun- 
try. 

Edgepeling, a tributary of Atsion 
river, rising in Evesham t-ship. Bur- 



EGG 



135 



EGG 



lington CO., and flowing by a south- 
erly course of 8 or 9 miles, to its re- 
cipient in Washington t-ship. 

Egg Harbour, Little, t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO., bounded N. by Oswego, 
or east branch of Wading river, 
which separates it from Northampton 
t-ship, S. E. by Stafford t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., S. by Little Egg Harbour 
river and bay, and W. by Washington 
t-ship. Centrally distant from Mount 
Holly, S. E. 35 miles; greatest length 
N. and S. 20 miles ; breadth E. and 
W. 10 miles; area, 76,800 acres, 
including bays and inlets; surface, 
level; soil, gravel and sand. The 
northern part of the township, call- 
ed the Plains, is of the former, covei*- 
ed with low pines and scrub oaks, 
forming an excellent covert for deer 
and grouse, which find abundant food 
in the mast produced by the latter. 
The southern part of the t-ship is 
sandy, covered with forest. It is 
drained chiefly by branches of Little 
Egg Harbour river, of which Bass ri- 
ver is here the chief. Tuckerton, 
upon Shorl's mill branch, is the post- 
town. Population in 1830, 1490. In 
1832, the t-ship contained 150 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not ex- 
ceed $30; 347 taxables, 51 single 
men, 6 stores, 4 saw mills, 3 grist 
mills, 1 two horse stage, 7 dearborns, 
36 covered wagons, 10 gigs and sul- 
kies, 640 neat cattle, 170 horses and 
mules ; and it paid state tax, $127 48 ; 
county tax, $444 ; road tax, $300. 

Egg Harbour Bay, Little, partly 
in Little Egg Harbour t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO., and partly in Staftbrd 
t-ship, Monmouth co. ; extends about 
14 miles in length, and from 2 to 4 
in breadth, from Little Egg Harbour 
inlet to Barnegat inlet, and contains 
many islands, the haunts of ducks, 
geese, and sea- fowl. 

Egg Harbour, Little, or Mullica^s 
River, rises by several branches in 
Burlington and Gloucester cos.; the 
chief of which are Batsto river, near 
Burlington, Atsion river, on the boun- 
dary between the two counties, Me- 
chescalaxin and Nesochcaque, which 
unite near Pleasant Mills, 25 miles 



from the sea. Half way below this 
point. Wading and Bass rivers blend 
with the main stream, which is navi- 
gable, for sloops, to Batsto furnace, 
25 miles. The Little Egg Harbour 
bay and inlet, and Great bay, form 
a sheet of salt water, separated fi'om 
the ocean by Brigantine, Tucker's 
and Long beaches, the communica- 
tion with which, from the sea, is chief- 
ly by the New inlet, which admits 
vessels of from 15 to 18 feet draught, 
many of which, during the late war, 
entered and discharged valuable car- 
goes. The Old inlet, to the north 
from Tucker's island, is now little 
used, except for vessels of very light 
burden. The collection district of 
Little Egg Harbour, comprehends 
the shores, waters, bays, rivers and 
creeks, from Barnegat inlet to Bri- 
gantine inlet, both inclusively. Tuck- 
erton is the sole port of entry, at which 
the collector resides. 

Egg Harbour River, Great, rises 
in Gloucester t-ship, Gloucester co., 
by Inskeep's branch, and flows a S. 
E. course through Deptford, Hamil- 
ton, Weymouth, and Egg Harbour 
t-ships, to the ocean, about 45 miles ; 
receiving in its way several, but not 
very considerable tributaries, on either 
hand, and draining a wide extent of 
sandy soil and pine forest. It is na- 
vigable for sloops of considerable bur- 
den, above May's Landing, more than 
25 miles ; and from this point flows 
through a continued marsh. Large 
quantities of wood, coal, and lumber, 
are annually exported from this river. 

Great Egg Harbour bay is entered 
by Great Egg Harbour inlet, between 
Absecum and Peck's beaches. The 
bay is about five miles long, and has 
a very irregular breadth, varying 
from half a mile to 4 miles. The 
inlet, at its mouth, is more than a 
mile in width, and communicates with 
the bay by several channels. 

Egg Harbour t-ship, Gloucester 
CO., bounded N. E. by Absecum 
creek, bay, and inlet, which separate 
it from Galloway t-ship ; S. E. by the 
Atlantic ocean ; S. W. by Great Egg 
Harbour inlet, bay, and river, and N. 



ELI 



136 



ELI 



W. by Hamilton t-ship. Centrally 
distant from Woodbury S. E. 48 
miles; greatest length E. and W. 
12; breadth N. and S. 12 miles; 
area, 85,000 acres, including beaches, 
bays, and rivers ; surface level ; marsh 
several miles in width, within the 
beach; sandy elsewhere, and, gene- 
rally, covered with pine forest. Bar- 
gaintown and Somers' Point are post- 
towns of the t-ship; population in 
1830, 2510. In 1832 the t-ship con- 
tained 122 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30 ; 5 stores, 2 
grist mills, 1 carding machine, 6 saw 
mills, 510 neat cattle, and 260 horses 
and mules; and paid county taxes, 
$307 59i; poor tax, $153 90; road 
tax, $800. 

Great Egg Harbour, collection 
district, comprehends the river of 
Great Egg Harbour, together with 
all the inlets, bays, sounds, rivers, 
and creeks, along the sea coast, from 
Brigantine inlet to Cape May. 

Egg Island, Downe t-ship, Cum- 
berland CO., Delaware bay, off the 
western point of Maurice Cove, of a 
triangular form, extending about half 
a mile upon each side. 

Egg Island, false, a point of Downe 
t-ship, about 4 miles higher up the 
bay, than the foregoing, and which, 
from similarity of configuration, is 
often mistaken for it. 

Egg Islands, Barnegat bay, Dover 
t-ship, Monmouth co., about 3 miles 
below the mouth of Toms' bay, each 
near a mile in length. 

Eight Mile Branch, of Cedar 
creek, Dover t-ship, Monmouth co., 
rises west of the Forked mountains, 
and flows eastwardly to its recipient. 

Elizabethtown, and t-ship, Essex 
CO., thus named after Lady Elizabeth 
Carteret, the wife and executrix of 
Sir George Carteret. The town lies 
upon Elizabeth creek, 1|- miles W. 
from a point of fast land, running 
through the marsh to Staten Island 
Sound, and on the turnpike road and 
rail-road, from New Brunswick to 
New York, 17 miles by the post 
road from the former, and 15 from 
the latter; 42 from Trenton, and 210 



from W. C; pleasantly situated, in 
a level and fertile country, of clay 
loam; contains 400 dwellings, 3 
handsome churches of brick, one be- 
longing to the Episcopalians, and two 
to the Presbyterians, the first congre- 
gation of whom, is, probably, as old 
as the town itself; and 1 Methodist 
church, of wood. There were two 
churches in this town, in 1748, which 
the Swedish traveller, Kalm, prefer- 
red to any in Philadelphia: 2 tem- 
perance societies, having together 
450 members, whose beneficial influ- 
ence is said to be extensively felt, 
there not being a distillery in the 
t-ship, and all the respectable farmers 
conducting their labours without the 
stimulus of ardent spirit; a bank 
called the " State Bank at Eliza- 
beth," with an authorized capital of 
$200,000, of which $132,924, have 
been paid in, conducted reputably 
and profitably ; 5 taverns in the town 
and two at the Point ; 9 stores, at none 
of which is ardent spirit sold ; 1 book 
store, 2 boarding schools for girls, at 
which there are about 100 pupils from 
various parts of the country ; 1 clas- 
sical boarding school for boys, con- 
taining 40 boarders, under the care 
of the Reverend Mr. Halsey, all of 
which are in high repute; 2 public 
libraries, one religious, the other mis- 
cellaneous, called the Elizabethtown 
Apprentices' Library, much and ad- 
vantageously used; 1 printing office, .■'.• 
from which is issued the newspaper/,' 
called the' New Jersey Journal, origi- 
nally founded by the venerable judge 
Hallock, at Chatham, in 1779, re- 
moved to this town in 1786, and con- 
ducted by him for nearly half a cen- 
tury ; an oil mill, large grist and saw 
mill, 2 large saw mills for cutting 
mahogany, with circular saws for 
veneers ; 2 large oil cloth manufac- - 
tories, belonging to the same compa- 
ny; 2 earthenware, and 1 earthen, 
and stoneware potteries; flax works, 
which break and dress 2 tons per. 
day, driven by steam; a rope, twine, 
and cotton bagging factory, also' 
driven by steam, and employing 20 
hands; 2 tin, sheet iron, and stove 



ELI 



137 



ELS 



factories, 1 clock manufactory, and 1 
shears manufactory, moved by steam ; 
2 carriage makers, 2 tanneries, one 
of which dresses oil, morocco, and 
alum, leather; 1 iron foundery for 
making malleable castings, connected 
with which is a steam engine factory, 
and machine shop, worked by steam ; 
and a book bindery. 

The town or t-ship is bounded N. 
by Newark t-ship, E. by Newark 
bay and Staten Island Sound, S. by 
Rahway, and W. by Union t-ships ; 
greatest length N. E. and S. W. 5 
miles ; breadth, 3^ miles; area, 10,000 
acres ; soil, red shale, clay, loam, 
and marsh ; from the last of which, 
large quantities of grass are cut, 
chiefly tor manure. The soil is of 
excellent quality, and repays the la- 
bour of the husbandman abundantly. 
Bound Brook runs on the north, and 
Morss Brook on the south boundary. 
There are 470 dwellings in the t-ship, 
and the population was, in 1830, 
34.55. In 1832, the t-ship contained 
550 taxables, 235 householders, whose 
ratable estate did not exceed 30 dol- 
lars, 83 single men, 22 merchants, 
289 horses and mules, 579 neat cat- 
tle over 3 years of age ; and it paid 
in 1833, state tax, $313 13 ; county, 
$819 17; road, $800; poor, $900. 
The t-ship has a house and farm of 
SO acres, upon which its poor are 
■ kept. 

This town was the first English 
settlement made in the state. The 
land was purchased for a company 
called the Elizabethtown Associates, 
■from the Indians in 1664. These 
Associates, 74 in number, were origi- 
nally from Jamaica, Long Island. 
They held adversely to Berkeley and 
Carteret, the grantees of the Duke of 
York; and their pertinacious adhe- 
rence to the right, real, or supposed, 
obtained under the Indian grant, was 
cause of disturbance and commotion, 
not only during the government of 
the proprietaries, but for many years 
of the royal administration. During 
the revolution, the town suffered much 
from its contiguity to New York. On 
the 21st January, 1780, the first 



Presbyterian church was burned by 
the British, and in the following No- 
vember, its minister, the Rev. James 
Caldwell, was shot. 

Elizabethtown is a desirable resi- 
dence, whether health, business, or 
pleasure, be in view. The excellent 
order and morals which prevail here, 
the advantages derived from its 
schools, the short distance from New 
York, to which the inhabitants, three 
times a day, have access, by steam- 
boats from the Point, and at other 
times by stages; the rail-road now 
being constructed through the town, 
and that to be made by Somerville to 
Belvidere, cannot fail to increase its 
population, and the price of its lands. 
The town is built upon streets un- 
commonly wide, and has many very 
handsome buildings, surrounded by 
large well improved lots. The t-ship 
was originally incorporated by Go- 
vernor Philip Carteret, about the 
same time as its neighbour Wood- 
bridge, by a most liberal charter; 
and subsequently, 28th November, 
1789, by act of Assembly, with 
bounds including parts of the present 
adjacent townships. Its area has 
been greatly diminished by various 
acts. The corporate officers of the 
'■'■Borough of Elizabeth" are a may- 
or, deputy mayor, recorder, seven al- 
dermen or assistants, a sheriff, coro- 
ner, treasurer, clerk, high constable, 
and seven constables. It has power 
to regulate general police, markets, 
roads, &c., and has a court of com- 
mon pleas and general sessions, 
holden 4 times annually, with a ju- 
risdiction like to, and exclusive of, 
that of the county courts. At Eliza- 
bethtown Point there was formerly a 
ferry by which passengers, from and 
to New York, crossed to Staten 
Island. 

ElUsburg, small hamlet, of Wa- 
terford t-ship, Gloucester co., 6 miles 
S. E. from Camden, 9 miles N. E. 
from Woodbury, and 2 from Had- 
donfield ; contains a tavern, store, 
smith shop, and several dwellings. 

Elsinborough, t-ship, Salem co., 
bounded N. by Salem creek, and Sa- 



ENG 



138 



ESS 



lem t-shii), E. by Lower Alloways 
t-ship, S. by Alloways creek; and 
W. by the Delaware river. Cen- 
trally distant from the town of Sa- 
lem, 3 miles ; greatest length N. and 
S. 6 miles; breadth E. and W. 4 
miles; area, about 8000 acres; sur- 
face, level ; soil, I'iclii loam and marsh 
meadow, highly cultivated. The 
t-ship is drained by Alloways creek 
on the south, and Salem creek on the 
north. Population in 1830, 503. In 
1832, the t-ship contained 56 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not ex- 
ceed 30 dollars, 117 taxables, 118 
horses and mules, and 547 neat cat- 
tle, above the age of 3 years. 

Empty Box Run, Upper Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co., a small branch 
of the Assunpink creek. 

Englishtoion, p-t., of Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co., upon Matcha- 
ponix creek, near the N. W. boun- 
dary of the t-ship and, county ; con- 
tains a grist mill, 2 taverns, 2 stores, 
and about 30 dwellings, surrounded 
by a light sandy soil. 

English Neighbourhood, pleasant 
village, of Hackensack t-ship, Bergen 
CO., 5 miles S. E. from Hackensack- 
town, and 5^ from Hoboken, on the 
turnpike road to Hackensack; con- 
tains a post-office, a Dutch Reformed 
church, and a church of Chris-ti-ans, 
3 taverns, 2 stores, and from 15 to 
20 dwellings. This village is at a 
convenient distance from New York, 
by a good road, which, through a 
pleasant country, affords a very 
agreeable drive on a summer's after- 
noon, to the business-worn citizens. 

English Creek, asmari mill stream, 
of Egg Harbour t-ship, Gloucester 
CO., which flows by a S. W. course 
of 4 or 5 miles, into the Great Egg 
Harbour river, about 5 miles from the 
bay. 

English Creek, a tributary of the 
Hackensack river, which rises, and 
has its course, in Hackensack t-ship, 
Bergen co.; and almost the whole of 
its length of 7 miles is through a ce- 
dar swamp. This creek formed the 
defence of the garrison of 3000, who 
retreated from Fort Lee, attacked by 



Lord Cornwallis, 18th November, 
1776. 

Essex County, had its boundaries 
fixed by act 21st January, 1709-10, 
commencing at the mouth of Rah- 
way river, where it falls into the 
Staten Island Sound ; thence up the 
river to Robeson's branch; thence 
west to the line between the former 
eastern and western divisions of the 
colony ; thence by the same line, to 
Pequannock river, where it meets the 
Passaic river; thence down the Pas- 
saic to the Bay and Sound ; thence 
down the Sound to the place of be- 
ginning. These limits were modified 
by the act of 4th November, 1741, 
annexing part of the county to Somer- 
set. Essex is now bounded W. N. 
and E. by the Passaic river, which 
separates it, W. and N. W. from Mor- 
ris CO., N. and E. from Bergen co., S. 
E. by Newark bay and Long Island 
Sound, S. by Middlesex co., and S. 
W. by Somerset co. Greatest length 
N. and S. 28 miles, breadth E. and 
W. 19 miles; area in acres, 154,680, 
or 241 5 square miles. Central lat. 
40° 45' N.; long. 2° 45' E. from 
W. C. 

Geologically considered, this coun- 
ty will be classed with the secondary . 
or transition formation, as the old red 
sandstone shall be determined to be- . 
long to either. The whole seems 
based upon this substi'atum. It is 
crossed, however, diagonally from S. 
W. to N. E., by 2 mountain ridges, 
entering New Providence and West- 
field t-ships from Somerset county, 
which extend for 25 miles, unbroken^ 
by any stream of water, to the Pas-. 
saic, at Patersou. These are known 
by the local names of First and Se- 
cond Mountains, and the latter by 
that of Short Hills. These ridges, ■ 
from 1 to 2 miles asunder, are of 
trap formation, and in some points as- 
sume, particularly at the Great and 
Little Falls, on the Passaic, a colum- 
nar character and appearances of the 
action of fire in their cellular form, 
which support the igneous origin of 
that rock. These hills, generally 
covered with wood, send forth tribu- 



ESS 



139 



ESS 



taries to the cardinal points of the | 
compass, and their rocky basis have 
caused the beautiful cataracts of the 
Passaic Falls. 

The great river of the county is 
the Passaic, whose main stream en- 
compasses it on all sides, save the 
south, and receives, with few excep- 
tions, all the other streams. On 
the west of the mountains, these 
tributaries are Deep, Pine, Black 
Rock, Meadow, and River Canoe, 
brooks; on the east. Second and 
Third rivers, and several inconsidera- 
ble streams. Peckman's river runs 
northward, in the valley between the 
mountains, emptying into the Passaic, 
about 2 miles below the Little Falls. 
The Rahway river, which rises iu 
the same valley, and whose source 
is not a mile south of the former, 
runs by an opposite course into Staten 
Island Sound. Green brook, which 
rises in the Short Hills, has a south- 
west course to the Raritan, on the 
line below Somerset and Middlesex 
counties. On the east side of the 
mountains, there are 2 noted chaly- 
beate springs; one in Acquackanonck, 
and the other in Orange township. 

The soil of the cotinty is generally 
of red shale, except where formed of 
the debris of the mountains. The 
first is almost every where well cul- 
tivated, and in many places highly 
productive in grain and grass; and, 
as a large proportion of the popula- 
tion is employed in manufactures, an 
advantageous market is produced at 
the door of the farmer for all his pro- 
ductions ; consequently, the whole 
country, almost without exception, 
has the air of growing wealth and 
.present enjoyment. A large portion 
of the surface of the county, on each 
side of the mountains is level, but 
some of it, hilly. 

The principal towns are on the 
east of the mountain; Newark, the 
seat of justice ; Paterson, Weasel, 
Acquackanonck, Bloomfield, Belle- 
ville, Orange, South Orange, Camp- 
town, Springfield, Elizabethtown, 



Rahway, Westfield, Scotch Plains, 
Plainfield, &c. 

Four turnpike roads cross the 
county, north-westerly, leading from 
Elizabethtown, Newark, and Jersey 
City, respectively. 

In the north part of the county, a 
considerable portion of the agricultu- 
ral population is of Dutch descent, 
whilst the south has been peopled 
from English sources, and principally 
from Long Island and New Eng- 
land. The inhabitants have the love 
of ' order, decorum, industry, and 
thrift of their ancestors. 

In 1830, the census gave an ag- 
gregate of 41,911 souls, of whom 
20,242 were white males; 19,-502 
white females ; 921 free coloured 
males; 1018 free coloured females; 
107 male slaves; 111 female slaves. 
There were 1 176 aliens ; whites, deaf 
and dumb 27, and 22 blind ; and 1 
coloured person blind. 

In 1832, the county contained 7710 
taxables, 3370 householders, whose 
ratable estates did not exceed $30; 
1412 single men, 306 merchants, 42 
grist mills, 22 cotton, and 1 3 wool- 
len manufactories, 41 saw mills, 5 
furnaces, 5 carding machines, 19 
paper mills, 1 fulling mill, 223 tan 
vats, 3 bleaching and printing esta- 
blishments for cotton, &c., and 5 dis- 
tilleries. Besides these sources of 
trade, a very large business is done 
in the manufacture of shoes and hats 
for foreign markets. 

In the same year, the county paid 
state tax, $3822 04, county tax, 
il 0,000, poor tax, $10,570, road 
tax, $10,204. 

The means for moral improvement 
consist of many religious institutions, 
such as churches pertaining to Epis- 
copalians, Presbyterians, Methodists, 
Baptists, and Dutch Reformed — bible, 
missionary, and temperance societies ; 
academies in the principal towns, at 
which the languages and the higher 
branches of an English education are 
taught, and common and Sunday 
schools, in every vicinity. 



EVE 



140 



FAI 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF ESSEX COUNTY. 





^ 


n3 






Population. 


Townships, &c. 


a 


ca 


Area. 


Surface. 
















Ut 

m 






1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


Acquackanonck, 


7 


6^ 


14,000hilly, 


2023 


3338 


7710 


Bloomfield, 


5 


4^ 


14,000 


do. 




3085 


4309 


Caldwell, 


7 


6 


16,500 


do. 


2235 


2020 


2004 


Elizabeth, 


5 


3^ 


10,000] do. 


2977 


3515 


3455 


Livingston, 


5 


H 


13,000 do. 




1056 


1150 


Newark, 


7 


6 


12,000ilevel, 


8008 


6507 


10,953 


New Providence, 


6 


2s 


7680 


pt.hill, pt. valley, 


756 


768 


910 


Orange, 


7 


5 


14,000 


hilly, rolling, 


2266 


2830 


3887 


Rahway, 


8 


4.^ 


10,000 


level. 


1779 


1945 


1983 


Springfield, 


6 


5 


13,500 


hilly,' 


2360 


1804 


1653 


Union, 


H 


5 


12,000ilevel, 


1428 


1567 


1405 


Westfield, 


7 


6 


18,000 


pt. hilly pt. level. 


2152 


2358 


2492 




154,680 


25,984 


30,793 


41,911 



Etna, furnace and forge, and grist 
and savv^ mills, on Tuckahoe creek, 
Weymouth t-ship, Gloucester co., 
about 15 miles from the sea. 

Everittstoum, Alexandria t-ship, 
Hunterdon co., 11 miles N. W. of 
Flemington, upon the Nischisakawick 
creek, contains 1 tavern, a grist mill, 
a Methodist church, and several dwell- 
ings. 

Evesham t-ship, Burlington co., 
bounded on the N. E. and E. by 
Northampton t-ship, S. E. by Wash- 
ington t-ship, S. W. by Waterford 
t-ship, Gloucester co., and on the 
N. W. by Chester t-ship. Centrally 
distant S. W. from Mount Holly 8 
miles; greatest length N. and S. 
15 miles; breadth 10 miles; area, 
67,000 acres; sui'face, generally 
level; soil, sand and sandy loam; 
the north-western portion pretty well 
cultivated and productive. The south 
branch of the Rancocus forms, in 
part, the N. E. boundary ; Haines' 
creek, and several other tributaries, 
are on the E.; and on the S. the t-ship 
is drained by the head waters of the 
Little Egg Harbour river. Evesham, 
Medford, Colestown, Lumberton, 
Fostertown, Evesham Cross Roads, 
Bodine, Cropwell, &c. are the villages 
of the t-ship, the two first are post- 
towns; population in 1830, 4239. In 
1832 the f-ship contained taxables 



850, householders 366, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30, single men 
90, stores 9, saw mills 12, grist mills 
7, fulling mills 2, distilleries for cider 
4, phaetons and chaises 3, two horse 
stages 1, dearborns 40, covered wa- 
gons 221, chairs and curricles 39, 
gigs and sulkies 11, 2303 neat cattle, 
and 1016 horses and mules, above 3 
years old ; and it paid state tax, 8607 
21 ; county tax, $2119 15; and t-ship 
tax, $1500. 

Evesham, p-t., Evesham t-ship, 
Burlington co., 8 miles S. W. from 
Mount Holly, and 4 miles S. E. from 
Moorestown, 34 from Trenton, and 
147 from W. C; contains a Quaker 
meeting house and several dwellings. 

Evesham Cross Roads, Evesham 
t-ship, Burlington co., 6 miles S. W. 
from Mount Holly. 

Ewing's Neck, on the Delaware 
bay, between Tarkiln creek and Mau- 
rice river t-ship, Cumberland co. 

Factory Branch, of Cedar creek, 
small stream of Dover t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO. 

Fairfield t-ship, Cumberland co., 
is bounded on the N. by Deerfield, 
Hopewell, and Greenwich t-ships, 
from the two last of which, it is sepa- 
rated by the Cohansey creek ; E. by 
Millevillc t-ship, and S. by Downe 
t-ship and the Delaware bay. Cen- 
trally distant S. from Bridgeton 7 



FAI 



141 



FLA 



miles; greatest length E. and W. 15 
miles; breadth 8 miles ; area, 46,720 
acres ; surface, level ; soil, with the 
exception of a strip of marsh and up- 
land on the bay, the latter of which 
is clay and loam, is of sand. The 
t-ship is drained on the north line by 
the Cohansey creek, on the south line 
by Nantuxet creek, and intermediate- 
ly, by several small streams, of which 
Cedar creek is the most considerable ; 
all of which tlow westward ; eastward 
it sends forth some small tributaries 
to Maurice river ; population in 1830, 
1812. In 1832 there were in the 
t-ship 410 taxables, 105 household- 
ers, whose ratables did not exceed i 
in value $30 ; 9 stores, 6 run of 
stones for grinding grain; 2 saw 
mills, 1 tannery, 310 horses, and 
1188 neat cattle, above 3 years old ; 
and it paid road tax, $100; county' 
and state tax, $868 55. Cedarville 
and Fairton are post-towns of the 
t-ship. There are in the t-ship a 
Presbyterian and Methodist church. 

Fairjield, small village, in the 
northern part of Caldwell t-ship, 
Essex CO.; contains a Dutch Reform- 
ed church, and some 8 or 1 dwellings, 
distant 11 miles north west from New- 
ark. 

Fairton, p-t. of Fairfield t-ship, 
Cumberland co., in the fork formed 
by Mill creek and Rattle Snake run, 
which unite and flow into Cohansey 
creek ; distant about 4 miles S. of 
Bridgeton, 179 N. E. from W. C, 
and 73 S. from Trenton ; contains 
from 30 to 40 dwellings, 2 stores, a 
Methodist church, and about 200 in- 
habitants. There is also a Presbyte- 
rian church near the town. Marl has 
been lately discovered here on the 
estate of Michael Swing, the use of 
which adds much to the fertility of 
the lands. 

Fairview, or Quakertoicn, p-t. of 
Kingwood t-ship, Hunterdon co., 7 
miles N. W. of Flemingtnn, 29 from 
Trenton, and 188 from W. C; con- 
friins a Quaker meeting house, 2 
stores, a tavern, and some 12 or 15 
dwellings, and several mechanics' 
; shops. The soil here is a stiff clay, 



which is becoming fertile by the use 
of lime. 

Faraway Branch, small tributary 
of Hospitality creek, an arm of the 
Great Egg Harbour river, in Franklin 
and Deptlbrd t-ships, Gloucester co. 

Fenwicke Creek, Mannington t-sp. 
Salem co., named after John Fen- 
wicke, the first Quaker settler in this 
country, rises by two branches, one 
of which, and the main stem, form 
the eastern and northen boundary of 
Salem t-ship, separating it from Man- 
nington. The greatest length of the 
stream may be 6 miles. It empties 
into Salem creek, at the town of Sa- 
lem, where it is crossed by a neat 
covered bridge, to which it is navi- 
gable. 

Finesmlle, small village on the 
Musconetcong creek, a mile above 
its mouth, and 19 miles S. W. from 
Belvidere, the county town, and 8 
from Easton ; lies in a very narrow 
but fertile valley; contains a grist 
mill, saw mill, and oil mill, a woollen 
manufactory, 1 tavern, 1 store, and 
from 15 to 20 dwellings. 

Finn's Point, a noted point on the 
Delaware, of Lower Penn's Neck 
t-ship, Salem co., about 4 miles above 
Salem creek, and 1 above Fort Dela- 
ware. It has its name from the first 
landing or residence of the Finn's 
here. 

Fishing Creek, a small stream of 
Downe t-ship, which flows from Ora- 
noken creek, through the salt marsh, 
into the Delaware bay. 

Fishing Creek, S. W. boundary of 
Middle t-ship. Cape May co., flows 
westerly 4 or 5 miles to the Dela- 
ware bay. It gives name to a post- 
office; distant 109 miles from W. C, 
and 112 from Trenton. 

Five Mile Beach, between Here- 
ford and Turtle Gut inlets, partly in 
Middle and partly in Lower t-ship. 
Cape May co., of a wedge-like form, 
having in its greatest width about a 
mile. 

Flaggfoivn, p-t., of Hillsborough 
t-ship, Somerset co., 6 miles S. W. 
from Somerville ; contains 1 tavern, 
and about a dozen houses. It is 191 



FLE 



142 



FOR 



miles N. E. from W, C, and 25 from 
Trenton. 

Flanders^ p-t., of Roxbury t-ship, 
Morris co., in the valley of the south 
branch of the Raritan river, and in a 
fertile country, at the east foot of 
Schooley's mountain; 13 miles N. 
W. of Morristown, 54 N. E. from 
Trenton, and 220 from W. C. ; con- 
tains a grist and saw mill, a Metho- 
dist church, a school, 2 taverns, 2 
stores, and from 20 to 25 dwellings. 

Flatkill, Big and Little, creeks, 
of Sussex CO., both of which rise in 
Montague t-ship, and unite near the 
southern boundary of Sandistone 
t-ship ; thence the stream flows S. W. 
into the river Delaware, at the Wal- 
pack Bend. The course of the main 
stream is parallel with the Blue moun- 
tain from its source, and for the 
length of 25 miles, in which it re- 
ceives some inconsiderable and inno- 
minate tributaries from the mountain. 

Flat Brookville, post-office, San- 
dystone t-ship, Sussex co., 247 miles 
N. E. from W. C, and 89 from Tren- 
ton. 

Flemington, p-t., of Hunterdon co., 
situate at the northern extremity of 
the valley, lying between Rock moun- 
tain and Mount Carmel, and near the 
S. E. foot of the latter, and 2 miles 
E. of the south branch of the Raritan 
river, 23 miles N. from Trenton, 45 
from Philadelphia, and 182 from W. 
C, 25 N. W. from Brunswick, and 
25 S. E. from Easton ; the two last 
are the principal markets for this por- 
tion of the country. The surface for 
many miles south and east is gently 
undulating; the valley between the 
mountains extending about 8 miles ; 
the soil is of red shale, underlaid by 
the old red sandstone formation, and 
if not generous in spontaneous pro- 
duction, is grateful for the careful 
cultivation it receives, yielding abun- 
dance of grass, wheat, rye, oats, In- 
dian corn, and flax ; of the last, many 
farmers sow from 12 to 15 acres, for 
the product of which they find a ready 
market at Philadelphia. The town 
is also famed for excellent cheese, 
made at the extensive dairy of Mr. 



Capner. Much attention is also given 
here to raising horses, of which the 
breeds are greatly admired, and ea- 
gerly sought for. The town contains 
50 dwellings, and about 300 inha- 
bitants; a very neat Presbyterian 
church, of stone, built about 35 years 
since ; a Methodist church, of brick, 
a neat building; and a Baptist church, 
of wood ; two schools, one of which • 
is an incorporated academy, and 3 
Sunday schools ; a public library, un- 
der the care of a company also in- 
corporated; a court-house, of stone, 
rough-cast, having a Grecian front, 
with columns of the Ionic order. 
The basement story of this building 
is used as the county prison : the se- 
cond, contains an uncommonly large 
and well disposed room for the court : ' 
the third, a grand jury room ; and 
other apartments. From the cupola, 
which surmounts the structure, there 
is a delightful prospect of the valley, 
bounded by mountains on the S. and 
S. W., but almost unlimited on the 
S. E., and of the hill, which rises by 
a graceful and gentle slope on the N. 
and N. W., ornamented with well 
cultivated farms to its very summit. 
The houses, built upon one street, 
are neat and comfortable, with small 
court yards in front, redolent with 
flowers, aromatic shrubs and creep- 
ing vines. The county offices, de- 
tached from the court-house, are of 
brick and fire-proof. There are here, 
5 lawyers, 2 physicians; a journal, 
published weekly, called the Hunter- 
don Gazette, edited by Mr. Charles 
George ; a fire engine, with an in- ' 
corporated fire association. The name 
of the place is from its founder, Mr. 
Fleming, who resided here before the 
revolution. A valuable deposit of 
copper is said to have been lately 
found here. 

Fork Bridge, over Maurice river, 
about 2 miles below the village of 
Malaga, on the line between GIou- ] 
cester, Salem and Cumberland coun- 
ties. It takes its name from the fork I 
of the river above it. There are i 
here two mills and several dwellings. • 

Forked River, Dover t-ship, Mon- i 



FRA 



143 



FRA 



mouth CO., rises at the foot of the 
Forked river mountains, and flows 
E., about 10 miles, to the Atlantic 
ocean. 

Forked River Mountains^ two 
considerable sand hills in the south- 
ern part of Dover t-ship, Monmouth 
county. 

Forstertown, Evesham t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO., 6 miles S. of Mount Hol- 
ly, is a cluster of some 8 or 10 farm 
houses, upon an excellent soil of 
sandy loam, highly cultivated. 

Fortescue Creek, Downe t-ship, 
Cumberland co., flows from the Oran- 
oken creek, through the salt marsh 
into the Delaware bay. 

Fort Lee, on the North river, and 
in Hackensack t-ship, Bergen co., 
about 5 miles E. of Hackensack 
town. This was a noted post dur- 
ing the revolutionary war, command- 
ing in common with Fort Wasliing- 
ton, on the New York side, the na- 
vigation of the river. Both forts 
were strongly garrisoned by the Ame- 
rican troops, and bridled the English 
forces in New York, after the battle 
of Long Island. Possession of them 
was unfortunately holden after their 
insufficiency to prevent the passage 
up the river by the British vessels had 
been experimentally provea. The 
capture of Fort Washington lost the 
Americans 3000 men, and the like 
number in Fort Lee were saved from 
the same fate only by the timely 
abandonment of the works, by order 
of Gen. Greene, on the 18th Novem- 
ber, 1776. A metallic vein was 
worked near this fort, at the com- 
mencement of the American war, 
under the impression that it contain- 
ed gold. But it has been determined 
by Dr. Torrey, that the ore is pyi'i- 
I tous and green carbonate of copper, 
t in a matrix of quartz and siliceous 
I and calcareous breccia, dipping under 
green sandstone. 

Frankford t-ship, Sussex co., 
1 bounded N. by Wantage; E. by 
I Hardiston; S. by Newton, and W. 
1 by Sandiston t-ship. Centrally dis- 
1 tant, N. from Newton, 8 miles; 
greatest length, 1 1 ; breadth, 8 miles; 



area, 28,800 acres. The surface of 
the t-ship is hilly towards the west ; 
the boundary on that side running on 
the Blue mountain. The remainder 
consists of valley lands. At the foot 
of the mountain, Long pond and Cul- 
ver's pond, are the principal sources 
of Paulinskill creek, which flows 
S. W. towards the Delaware. On 
the N. the t-ship is drained by the 
Papakating creek, a tributary of the 
Wallkill river. Two turnpike roads, 
that from Morristown to the De- 
laware, opposite Milford, running 
north-west, and the Newton and 
Bolton, running north-east, cross the 
township. Augusta and Branchville 
are post towns, lying on the for- 
mer. Population in 1830, 1996. 
Taxables in 1832, 370. There were 
in the t-ship, in 1832, 110 house- 
holders, whose ratables did exceed 
830; 6 stores, 14 run of stones for 
grinding grain, 2 carding machines; 
1 fulling mill, 460 horses and mules, 
and 1540 neat cattle, above three 
years old ; 48 tan vats, 5 distilleries. 
The t-ship paid state and county tax, 
$812 70; poor tax, $900 ; road tax, 
$800. Lime and slate alternate in 
several veins or beds, in the town- 
ship. Their soils are fertile. 

Franklin t-ship, Somerset co., 
bounded N. by Bridge water t-ship 
and river; N. E. by Raritan river, 
scpai-ating it from Piscataway t-ship, 
Middlesex co. ; S. E. by North and 
South Brunswick t-ships, of that 
county ; and S. W. and W. by 
Millstone river, dividing it from Mont- 
gomery and Hillsborough t-ships, 
Soinerset co. Centrally distant, S. 
E., from Somerville, 7 miles. Great- 
est length, N. E. and S. W., 13; 
breadth, E. and W., 8 miles; area, 
about 30,000 acres. Surface on the 
S. W., hilly, elsewhere gently un- 
dulating. Drained by the Millstone 
and Raritan rivers, and by several 
tributaries, of which Six Mile Run is 
the chief. Griggstown is a village of 
the t-ship; near it, at the foot of Rocky 
hill, is a deposit of copper ore, not 
wrought. Part of Kingston and Six 
Mile Run villages are within the east 



FRA 



144 



FRE 



boundary, on the Princeton and New 
Brunswick turnpike. Population in 
1830, 3352. In 1832, there were 
716 taxables ; 67 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30, and 58 
single men, 10 stores, 4 saw mills, 
4 grist mills, 13 tan-vats, 2 distil- 
leries, 862 horses and mules, and 
1335 neat cattle above the ao-e of 
three years ; and it paid, state tax, 
i709 30; county, 8996 11. 

Franklin t-ship, Bergen co., 
bounded N. by Rockland co., state 
of New York; E. by Saddle river, 
which divides it from Harrington 
t-ship ; S. by Saddle river t-ship, 
and W. by Pompton. Centrally dis- 
tant, N. W. from Hackensack, 13 
miles; greatest length, N. and S. 
10 miles; breadth, E. and W. 9 
miles; area, above 45,000 acres. 
There are elevated grounds on the 
E. and W. ; on the W. lies the Ra- 
mapo mountain. The greater part 
of the township is valley, with undu- 
lating surface and diluvial soil, of 
gravel, loam and sand, poured over 
a sandstone base; generally well 
cultivated and productive ; and a 
large portion of the produce is con- 
sumed at the numerous manufactories 
of the township. It is drained by 
the Ramapo river, coursing the base 
of the Ramapo mountain, in the N. 
W. angle, and by Saddle river on the 
east boundary, with their tributaries. 
Population in 1830, 3449. In 1832, 
the t-ship contained 862 taxables, 83 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30; 7 merchants, 18 grist 
mills, 13 cotton mills, 25 saw mills, 

3 paper mills, 1 woollen factory, 1 
furnace, 2 fulling mills, 22 tan vats, 

4 distilleries, 803 horses, and 1780 
mules, above 3 years old; and it paid 
state tax, $370 51, county tax, 
$753 25, poor, $500, roads, $2000. 
In Franklin there are 4 Dutch Re- 
formed, 2 Seceders, and 2 Methodist 
churches. 

Franklin, t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded N. E. by Deptford t-ship, 
S. E. by Hamilton, S. W. by Mill- 
ville t-ship, Cumberland co., and 
Pittsgrove t-ship, Salem co., and N. 



VV. by Greenwich and Woolwich 
t-ships. Centrally distant, S. E. from 
Woodbury, 15 miles, greatest length 
16 miles; breadth, 7 miles; area, 
72,000 acres; surface, level; soil, 
sandy, and generally covered with 
pine forest. It is drained northward 
by the head waters of Raccoon creek, 
S. W. by the sources of Maurice ri- 
ver, and S. E. by branches of the 
Great Egg Harbour river. Glassboro', 
Malaga, Little Ease, and Union, are 
villages of the t-ship ; at the two first 
are post-offices. There are iron works 
at Union. Population in 1830, 1574. 
In 1832, the t-ship contained 276 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30; 4 stores, 2 grist mills, 
9 saw mills, 1 distillery, 3 glass fac- 
tories ; and paid county tax, $392 72, 
poor tax, $196 33, and road tax, 
$1000. 

Franklin Furnace, and village, 
Hardiston t-ship, Sussex co., in the 
valley of the Wallkill river, 11 miles' 
N. E. of Newton, contains 2 forges 
of 2 fires each, a cupola furnace, a 
blast furnace not now in operation, 
a woollen manufactory for the manu- 
facture of broad cloth, a grist and 
saw mill, a school house, and a new 
stone Baptist church, and 24 dwell- 
ings. Dr. Samuel Fowler is the 
chief proprietor here, and is alike dis- 
tinguished for his hospitality and his 
pursuit of mineralogy. He has a 
cabinet of minerals richly meriting, 
notice, and the country around him 
is considered as one of the most in- 
teresting mineral localities of the 
United States. The manufactures of 
this place seek a market at New 
York, or at Dover and Rockaway. 

Franklin, small village of Cald- 
well t-ship, Essex co., 11 miles N. 
W. of Newark. 

Freehold, Upper, t-ship of, Mon- 
mouth CO., bounded N. and N. W. by 
East Windsor t-ship, Middlesex co., 
E. by Lower Freehold, S. and S. E. 
by Dover t-ship, and W. and S. W. 
by Northampton t-ship, Burhngton 
CO. Centrally distant S. W. from 
Freehold, the county town, 15 miles. 
Greatest length N. W. and S. E. 16 ; 



FRE 



146 



GAL 



breadth 10 miles ; area, about 90,000 
acres ; surface, level ; soil, clay, sandy 
loam, and sand. The western part 
of the t-ship contains some excellent 
lands, abundantly productive in rye, 
corn, oats, and grass; wheat is not 
, a certain crop, and is not extensively 
cultivated. The south-eastern part of 
the t-ship is covered with pine forest. 
' Population in 1830, 4862. In 1832, 
the t-ship contained about 900 taxa- 
bles, 253 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30 ; 80 single 
men, 20 stores, 12 saw mills, 15 run 
of stones for grain, 1 fulling mill, 3 
carding machines, 50 tan vats, 16 
distilleries for cider, 1036 horses and 
mules, 2438 neat cattle, 3 years old 
and upward ; and paid state and coun- 
ty taxes to the amount of $3669 33. 
The t-ship is remarkable for the large 
quantities of pork which it annually 
sends to market. It is drained on 
the N. E. by the Millstone river, on 
the S. E. by the head waters of 
Toms' river, N. W. by Crosswick's 
creek and its tributaries, Lakaway 
and Doctor's creeks, and by bi-anches 
of the Assunpink ; and S. W. by the 
tributaries of the Rancocus. Wrights- 
ville, Imlaystown, Allentown, Var- 
minton, Prospertown, and Hernes- 
town, are villages of the t-ship. 

Freehold, Lower, t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., bounded N. E. by Mid- 
dletown t-ship, E. by Shrewsbury 
and Howell, S. by Dover, S. W. by 
Upper Freehold, and N. W. by South 
Amboy t-ships, Middlesex co. Great- 
est length N. E. and S. W. 23 miles ; 
greatest breadth 11 miles; area, 
104,000 acres; surface, level; soil, 
sand and sandy loam, not more than 
half of which is in cultivation, being 
barren, or covered with pine forest. 
There are, however, some very good 
farms, which produce abundance of 
rye, corn, &c. Pork is also a staple 
product. Englishtown and Freehold 
are villages and post-towns. The 
t-ship is drained by the Millstone ri- 
ver on the N. W.; Matchaponix 
brook, a tributary of the South river, 
on the north; by branches of the 
Swimming river on the N. E., and 



by arms of the Manasquan and the 
Metetecunk on the S. E., and by 
Toms' river on the south. Popula- 
tion in 1830, 5481. In 1832, the 
t-ship contained about 1100 taxables, 
203 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30, 71 single men, 11 
stores, 11 saw mills, 16 run of grist 
mill stones, 2 fulling mills, 4 carding 
machines, 16 tan vats, 14 distilleries 
for cider, 1245 horses and mules, 
and 2569 neat cattle, 3 years old 
and upwards ; and it paid state and 
county tax, $3563 86. 

Freehold, or Monmouth, post-town 
of Freehold t-ship, and seat of justice 
of Monmouth co., about 4 miles W. 
of the east boundary of the t-ship, 
201 miles N. E. from W. C, and 36 
S. E. from Trenton, situate upon a 
level soil of sandy loam, which is 
fast improving under the present 
mode of culture. The town, though 
long stationary, is now thriving, 
and contains from 35 to 40 dwell- 
ings, a court house, prison, and 
public offices, an Episcopal, a Me- 
thodist, a Presbyterian, Dutch Re- 
formed, and a Baptist church, 3 ta- 
verns, 5 or 6 stores, 4 practising at- 
tornies, 2 physicians, an academy 
and printing office. This place is 
noted in the revolutionary history, on 
account of the battle of Monmouth, 
which was fought near it. 

Frieshitrg, a small German settle- 
ment of Upper Alloways Creek 
t-ship, near the south-east boundary, 
12 miles S. E. from Salem, and 5 
from AUowaystown; contains 1 ta- 
vern, a Dutch Reformed church, and 
a school. 

Frcdon, post-office, Sussex co.,232 
miles N. E. from W. C, and 74 
from Trenton. 

Galloicay t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded on the N. E. by Atsion ri- 
ver, and MuUica or Little Egg Har- 
bour river, and Great Bay, which 
separate it from Burlington co., S. E. 
by the Atlantic ocean, S. W. by 
Flamilton and Egg Harbour t-ships, 
and N. W. by Gloucester and Here- 
ford t-ships. Centrally distant S. W. 
from Woodbury, 35 miles; greatest 



GIB 



146 



GLO 



Iwigth, 33; breadth, 10 miles; area, 
147,000 acres; surface level, and soil 
sandy. The sea coast is girded by 
Brigantine beach, within which, for 
a depth of seven miles, is a space co- 
vered with lagunes and salt meadows. 
Among the small lakes, Absecum, 
Reed's and Grass bays, ai-e the most 
considerable. The remainder of the 
township is chiefly covered with pine 
forest, through which flow many 
streams of water, tributary to Little 
Egg Harbour river. Pleasant Mills, 
Leed's Point, Gloucester Furnace, 
Absecum and Smith's Landing, are 
villages of the township. Population, 
in 1830, 2960; and in 1820, only 
1895, presenting an instance of the 
greatest increase in the state. In 
1832, there were in the township, as 
reported by the assessor, 165 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not exceed 
$30, 7 stores, 3 grist mills, 1 cotton 
manufactory, 1 blast furnace, 5 saw 
mills, 375 neat cattle, and 205 horses 
and mules over three years of age. 

Georgetown, hamlet of Mansfield 
t-ship, Burlington co., near the N. 
E. boundary line, 6 miles S. E. from 
Bordentown, and 9 N. E. from Mount 
Holly. 

Georgia, a small hamlet of Free- 
hold t-ship, Monmouth co., 5 miles 
S. from Freehold town. 

German Valley, Washington t-sp, 
Morris county, and in Schooley's 
mountain. It is about 10 miles long, 
varying, in width, from one to two 
miles. The soil is grey limestone 
throughout, and is well cultivated, 
and highly productive. The inhabi- 
tants are of German descent, and re- 
tain the industrious and thrifty habits 
of their ancestors. The valley is 
drained by the south branch of the 
Raritan river, and is crossed by the 
turnpike road from Morristown to 
Easton, which passes thi'ough the 
post town of Washington, lying in 
the vale. There is a Presbyterian 
church here. 

Gibson's Creek, small tributary 
flowing eastwardly into the Great 
Egg Harbour river, Weymouth t-ship, 
Gloucester co. 



Glasshoro\ p-t. of Franklin t-ship, 
Gloucester co., 14 miles S. E. from 
Woodbury, 22 from Camden, 49 
from Trenton, and 155 from W. C; 
contains an Episcopal and Methodist 
church, 2 glass houses or factories 
which make hollow ware, belonging 
to Messrs. Stangeer ds Co., 1 tavern, 
2 stores, and about 30 dwellings. 

Gloucester County, was first laid 
off'in 1677, forming one of the only 
two counties of West Jersey ; and its 
boundaries were fixed by the act of 
21st of January, 1709-10: begin- 
ning at the mouth of Pensaukin creek; 
thence, running up the same to the 
fork thereof; thence along the bounds 
of Burlington co., to the sea; thence 
along the sea coast to Great Egg 
Harbour river; thence up said river 
to the fork thereof; thence up the 
southernmost and greatest branch of 
the same to the head thereof; thence 
upon a direct line to the head of Old 
Man's creek; thence down the same 
to the Delaware river; thence up 
Delaware river to the place of begin- 
ning. It is, thei-efore, bounded N. 
W. by the Delaware river, N. E. by 
Burlington co., S. E. by the Atlantic 
ocean, and S. W. by the counties of 
Cumberland and Salem. Greatest 
length, from Absecum inlet, on the 
S. E. to Red Bank, on the N. W. 
55 miles : greatest breadth, from the 
head of the Great Egg Harbour bay, 
to Tuckahoe river, 30 miles; area, 
1114 square miles, or 713,000 acres. 
Central lat. 39°' 40', N. long, from 
W. C. 2° 10', E. 

The whole county pertains to 
the alluvial formation. Along the 
shores of the Delaware, and for se- 
veral miles inward, a black or 
dark green mud is raised even from 
a depth of forty feet, in which 
reeds and other vegetables, the evi- 
dences of river alluvion, are distinctly 
visible. The remaining part of the 
county seems to have been gained 
from the sea; and beds of shells, 
whole and in a state of disintegra- 
tion, are found, at various depths, in 
many places. The green earth, or 
marl, in which these are imbedded 



GLO 



147 



GLO 



together with the shells, are used 
with great advantage upon the soil, 

• especially in the cultivation of grass, 
clover particularly. Bog iron ore is 
found near Woodbury, and exported 
for manufacture. 

The surface is uniformly level, ex- 
cept where worn down by the streams, 
and the soil sandy; having, on the 
N. W. an admixture of loam or clay, 
in many places. S. E. of a line drawn 
about 7 miles from the Delaware 
river, N. E. across the county, the 
country is universally sandy and 
covered by a pine forest, generally, 
(but with occasional cleared patches of 
greater or less extent,) from which 
large quantities of timber and cord 
wood are taken for market. Along 
the coast, within the beach, is a strip 
of marsh of an average width of four 
miles, in which are lagunes, the chief 
of which are Grass, Reed's, Absecum, 
and Lake's bays. 

The county is drained southward- 
ly by Maurice river, which flows from 
it, through Cumberland county, into 
the Delaware bay ; by Tuckahoe ri- 
ver, forming the line between it and 
Cumberland ; by Great and Little 
Egg Harbour rivers, which rise far 
north in the county, and empty into 
the Atlantic ; the latter, throughout its 
whole course, forming the boundary 
between Gloucester and Burlington 
counties. All these streams are na- 
vigable some miles from the sea, and 
afford great facilities in transporting 
the lumber and cord wood, the most 
valuable products of this region, to 
market. Their inlets, and the small 
bays on the coast, abound with oys- 
ters and clams, the fishing for which 
gives subsistence to many of the in- 
habitants. These rivers have also 
many tributaries, which intersect the 
forest in almost every direction. The 
streams on the N. W. are Oldman's, 

.Raccoon, Little Timber, Repaupo, 

. Clonmell, Mantua, Big Timber, New- 
ton, Cooper's and Pensauken creeks, 
most of which are navigable for a 

. short distance, and furnish outlets for 
an amazing quantity of fruit and gar- 

>4en truck and firewood, for the sup- 



ply of the Philadelphia market, and 
other towns on the western side of the 
river. 

The post towns of the township 
are, Absecum, Bargaintown, Cam- 
den, an incorporated city, Carpen- 
ter's Landing, Chew's Landing, 
Clarkesboro', Glassboro', Gloucester 
Furnace, Gravelly Landing, Haddon- 
field, Hammonton, Jackson Glass- 
works, Leeds' Point, Longacoming, 
Malaga, May's Landing, Mullica 
Hill, Pleasant Mills, Smith's Land- 
ing, Somers' Point, Stephens' Creek, 
Sweedsboro, Tuckahoe, and Wood- 
bury, the seat of justice of the county. 

There are several academies for 
teaching the higher branches of edu- 
cation ; and primary schools in most 
of the agricultural neighbourhoods. 
There are also established, Sunday 
schools, in most, if not all, of the popu- 
lous villages ; a county bible society, 
various tract societies, and many tem- 
perance associations; which have al- 
most rendered the immoderate use of 
ardent spirits infamous. 

In 1833, by the report of the asses- 
sors, the-county contained 3075 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not ex- 
ceed 830 in value ; 978 single men, 
102 stores, 21 fisheries, 45 grist mills, 

2 cotton and 2 woollen manufactories, 
4 carding machines, 4 blast furnaces, 

3 forges, 63 saw mills, 4 fulling mills, 
8 ferries, 9 tan yards, 29 distilleries, 
7 glass factories, 2 four horse stage 
wagons, 967 covered wagons with 
fixed tops, 204 riding chairs, gigs, 
sulkies, and pleasure carriages, 4 two 
horse stage wagons, 31 dearborns 
with steel, iron, or wooden springs ; 
and it paid county tax, $10,000 ; poor 
tax, $5000 ; and road tax, $15,000; 
state tax, 

By the census of 1830 Gloucester 
CO. contained 28,431 inhabitants, of 
whom 13,916 were white males; 
12,962 white females; 14 female 
slaves; 835 free coloured males; 
714 free coloured females. Of these 
there were deaf and dumb, under 14 
years, 64; above 14 and under 30, 
73 ; above 25 years, 80 ; blind, 205 
white, 22 black; aliens 3365. 



GLO 



148 



GLO 



There is a county poor house esta- 
blished upon a farm near Blackwoods- 
town, but in Deptford t-ship, contain- 
ing more than 200 acres of land. 

The following extract from the re- 
cords of this county, presents singu- 
lar features of the polity of the early 
settlers. It would seem that the in- 
habitants of the county deemed them- 
selves a body politic, a democratic 
commonwealth, with full power of 
legislation, in which the courts parti- 
cipated, prescribing the punishment 
for each offence, as it was proven be- 
fore them. 

Gloucester, the 28th May, 1686. 

By the proprietors, freeholders, and 
inhabitants of the third and fourth 
tenths, (alias county of Gloucester) 
then agreed as follows : 

Inprimus. That a court be held for 
the jurisdiction and limits of the afore- 
said tenths, or county, one time at 
Axwamus, alias Gloucester, and at 
another time at Red Bank. 

Item. That there be four courts, 
for the jurisdiction aforesaid, held in 
one year, at the days and times here- 
after mentioned, viz: upon the first 
day of the first month, upon the first 
day of the fourth month, and the first 
day of the seventh month, and upon 
the first day of the tenth month. 

Item. That the first court shall be 
held at Gloucester aforesaid, upon the 
first day of September next. 

Item. That all warrants and sum- 
mons shall be drawn by the clerk of 
the court, and signed by the justice, 
and so delivered to the sheriff or his 
deputy to execute. 

Item. That the body of each war- 
rant, &c., shall contain or intimate 
the nature of the action. 



Item. That a copy of the declara- 
tion be given along with the warrant, 
by the clerk of the court, that so the 
deft, may have the longer time to con- 
sider the same, and prepare his an- 
swer. 

Item. That all summons and war- 
rants, &c., shall be served, and decla- 
rations given, at least ten days before 
the court. 

Item. That the sheriff shall give 
the jury summons six days before the 
court be held, in which they are to 
appear. 

Ite7n. That all persons within the 
jurisdiction aforesaid, bring into the 
next court the marks of their hogs, 
and other cattle, in order to be ap- 
proved and recorded. 

Rex ) Indict, at Gloucester Ct. 
vs. V N. J. 10 Sept. 1686, for 
Wilkes, y stealing goods of Dennis 
Lins, from a house in Philadelphia. 
Dft. pleads guilty, but was tried by- 
jury. Verdict guilty, and that pri- 
soner ought to make pay't. to the 
prosecutor of the sum of sixteen 
pounds. Sentence. The bench ap- 
points that said Wilkes shall pay the 
aforesaid Lins, £16 by way of servi- 
tude, viz : if he will be bound by in- 
dentures to the prosecutor, then to 
serve him the term of four years, but 
if he condescended not thereto, then 
the court awarded that he should be a 
servant, and so abide for the tei-m of 
five years. And so be accommodated 
in the time of his servitude, by his 
master, with meat, drink, clothes, 
washing, and lodging, according to 
the customs of the country, and fit 
for such a servant. 

In 18.32 the county was divided into 
12 t-ships as in the following table, to 
which Camden is now to be added. 



GLO 149 GOD 

STATISTICAL TABLE OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY. 





^ 


^ 




P 


opulation 




Townships, &c. 


bo 
c 


a; 


Area. 


















t-i 




1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


Deptford, 


25 


7 


57,600 


2978 


3281 


3599 


Egg Harbour, 


12 


12 


85,000 


1830 


1635 


2510 


Galloway, 


32 


10 


147,000 


1648 


1895 


2960 


Gloucester, 


20 


8 


60,000 


1726 


2059 


2332 


Greenwich, 


15 


7 


35,840 


2859 


2699 


2657 


Newton, 


6 


4 


9,000 


1951 


2497 


3298 


Franklin, 


16 


7 


72,000 




1137 


1574 


Hamilton, 


18 


11 


106,880 




877 


1424 


Waterford, 


25 


8 


50,000 


2105 


2447 


3088 


Weymouth, 


12 


10 


50,000 


1029 


781 


1270 


Woolwich, 


16 


7 


40,000 


3063 


3113 


3033 


Gloucestertown, (area in- 










662 


686 


cluded in Gloucester 
. township.) 


















713,320 


19,189 


23,089 


28,431 



Gloucester, t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded N. by Gloucestertown, N. 
E. by Hereford t-ship, S. E. by Ha- 
milton, and S. W. and W. by Dept- 
ford t-ship. Centrally distant S. E. 
from Woodbury, 10 miles; greatest 
length N. W. and S. E. 20 ; breadth 
8 miles E. and W. ; area, about 
60,000 acres ; surface, level ; soil, 
sand more or less mixed with loam, 
and in the northern part cultivated in 
vegetables and fruit, the southern be- 
ing chiefly pine forest, valuable for 
timber and fuel. It is drained north- 
ward by Cooper's creek on the east- 
ern, and Big Timber creek on the 
t^ western boundary, southward by In- 
skeep's branch of the Great Egg Har- 
bour river. Chew's Landing, Longa- 
coming, Clementon, Blackwoodtown, 
Tansborough, and New Freedom, 
are villages of the t-ship ; the two first 
lost-towns. Population in 1830,2232. 
'n 1832, there were in the t-ship, in- 
cluding Gloucestertown, 781 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not ex- 
fceed $30 in value; 11 stores, 5 grist 
mills, 9 saw mills, 2 tanneries, and 
1 glass factory; and it paid county 
tax, !S799 78; poor tax, $400 73; 
road tax, $1000. 

Glottcestertoum, small t-ship of 
Gloucester co., bounded N. by New- 
ton, E. and S. E. by Gloucester 
t-ship, S. W. by Big Timber creek, 



which separates it from Deptford 
t-ship, and W. by the river Delaware. 
Centrally distant N. E. from Wood- 
bury 4 miles ; greatest length B. and 
W. 4 ; breadth N. and S. 3 miles. 

Gloucester, small town of Glou- 
cester t-ship, Gloucester co., on the 
Delaware river opposite Gloucester 
point; contains a fishery, a ferry 
from which a team-boat plies, about 
20 dwellings, 1 store, and 1 tavern. 

Gloucester, post-town and furnace 
of Galloway t-ship, Gloucester co., 
upon Landing creek, a branch of the 
MuUica or Little Egg Harbour river, 
36 miles S. E. from Woodbury, 71 
from Trenton, and 179 from W. C. ; 
contains a furnace, grist and saw 
mill, a store, tavern, and a number 
of dwellings, chiefly for the accom- 
modation of the workmen, of whom 
there are about 60, constantly em- 
ployed, whose families may amount 
to 300 persons. The furnace makes 
annually about 800 tons of iron, 
chiefly castings, and has annexed to 
it about 25,000 acres of land. 

Glover''s Pond, Hardwick t-ship, 
Warren co., the extreme source of 
Beaver brook. 

Godwinsville, Franklin t-ship, Ber- 
gen CO., upon Gofile brook, 8 miles 
N. W. from Hackensack ; contains 1 
tavern, 2 stores, 7 cotton mills, hav- 
ing together 5000 soindles, and from 



GOS 



150 



GRE 



45 to 50 dwellings ; soil around it 
red shale, fertile and well cultivated. 

Gaffle Brook, rises in Franklin 
t-ship, Bergen co., about a mile and 
a half E. of Hohokus, and flows by 
a southerly course of 5 miles through 
Saddle river t-ship, to the Passaic. 
It is a rapid, steady stream, and gives 
motion to several cotton mills at God- 
winsville. About 1^ miles above its 
mouth, is the small hamlet called 
Goffle, containing 5 or 6 farm dwell- 
ings. 

Goodwater Run, small tributary of 
Batsto river, Washington t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO., uniting with the river at 
the head of Batsto furnace pond. 

Good Luck, town, or more pro- 
perly neighbourhood, of Dover t-ship, 
Monmouth co., a little S. W. of Cedar 
creek or Williamsburgh, separated 
from Barnegat bay by a strip of salt 
marsh, and surrounded by a pine fo- 
rest and sandy soil. 

Good Luck Point, Dover t-ship, 
Monmouth co., on the S. side of 
Toms' bay, at its junction with Bar- 
negat bay. 

Goose Creek, Dover t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., puts in from Barnegat 
bay, 2 miles N. of Toms' bay. 

Goose Pond, on the sea shore of 
Shrewsbury t-ship, Monmouth co., 
about 2 miles above the south boun- 
dary of the t-ship. 

Goshen, village of Upper Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co., and near the 
head of Toms' river, 13 miles S. of 
Monmouth Court House, 23 S. E. 
from Trenton ; contains 1 tavern, 2 
stores, 10 or 12 dwellingSj a grist 
and saw mill, and Methodist meeting ; 
country around, sandy and flat; tim- 
ber, pine. 

Goshen Creek, mill-stream of Mid- 
dle t-ship. Cape May co., rises in the 
northern part of the t-ship, and flows 
westerly into the Delaware bay, by a 
course of 5 or 6 miles ; it is naviga- 
ble for about 3 miles to the landing, 
for the small village of Goshen. A 
channel through the marshes, com- 
municates between this stream and 
Dennis creek. 

Goshen, post-town of Cape May 



CO., in Middle t-ship, near the head of 
navigation of Goshen creek, about 5 
miles N. W. from Cape May court- 
house, 198 N. E. from W. C, and 
101 S. from Trenton; contains a ta- 
vern, 2 stores, a steam saw mill, and 
12 or 15 dwellings, and a school 
house, in which religious meetings 
are held. 

Grant Pond, on the Pochuck moun- 
tain, Vernon t-ship, Sussex co., a 
source of a tributary to Warwick 
creek. 

Grass Bay, a salt marsh lake, 
about 5 miles long, and one wide, in 
Galloway t-ship, Gloucester co., com- 
municating by several channels with 
Reed's bay and with the ocean. 

Grass Pond, Green t-ship, Sussex 
CO., one of the sources of the Bear 
branch of Pequest creek. 

Gratitude, p-t., Sussex co., 221 
miles N. E. from W. C, and 68 from 
Trenton. 

Gravel Hill, village and p-t. of 
Knowlton t-ship, Warren co., in the 
valley of the Paulinskill, near the 
east line of the t-ship, distant by post 
road from W. C. 243 miles, from 
Trenton 85, and from Belvidere N. 
E. 15 miles; contains a large grist 
mill, tavern, store, tannery, and 6 or 
8 dwellings; soil limestone. 

Gravelly Landing, p-t. of Gallo- 
way t-ship, Gloucester co., 40 miles 
S. E. from Woodbury, 79 from Tren- 
ton, and 187 N. E. from W. C, on 
Nacote creek ; - contains a tavern,: 
store, and 10 or 12 dwellings. 

Gravelly Bun, small tributary of 
Great Egg Harbour river, flowing 
westerly from Egg Harbour t-ship to 
its recipient, 2 miles below May's 
Landing. 

Great Meadows, a large body of 
6 or 8000 acres of meadow land, in 
Independence t-ship, Warren co., wa- 
tered by the Pequest creek. 

Great Brook, Morris t-ship, Morris 
CO., rises at the head of Spring valley, 
and flows by a semicircular course of 
8 or 9 miles, partly through the t-ship 
of Chatham, to the Passaic river, on 
the S. W. part of Morris t-ship. 

Green Brook, or Bound Brook, a 



GRE 



151 



GRE 



considerable tributary of the Raritan 
river, rising in a narrow valley be- 
tween New Providence and Westfield 
t-ships, Essex co.,and thence flowing 
by a S. W. course of about 16 miles, 
skirting the semicircular mountain 
of Somerset co., to its recipient at 
Bound Brook. It is a mill stream of 
considerable power. 

Green Brook, village, on Green 
brook above described, in Piscataway 
t-ship, Middlesex co., 8 miles from 
New Brunswick, 6^ from Somer- 
ville; contains a mill, a school house, 
2 stores, and 15 dwellings. The 
country on the south and east, level 
and fertile, valued at .$50 the acre ; 
on the north mountainous. 

Green Creek, small stream of Mid- 
dle t-ship. Cape May co., which by a 
course of 2 or 3 miles, flows into the 
Delawai-e bay. It gives name to a 
post-office near it, distant 106 miles 
from W. C, and 109 from Trenton. 

Green Pond, Valley, and Moun- 
tain; the first a beautiful sheet of 
water, 3 miles in length and 1 in 
breadth, embosomed in the valley to 
which it gives name, between the Cop- 
peras and Green Pond mountains, Pe- 
quannock t-ship, Morris co. The 
pond is much resorted to for its fish, 
and its beautiful scenery, where na- 
ture is yet unsubdued, and the red 
deer still roam at will. The valley is 
drained by the Burnt Cabin brook, a 
principal branch of the Rockaway 
river. Green Pond mountain, which 
has its name also from the same 
source, extends about 13 miles from 
the Rockaway to the Pequannock 
creek ; it is a high, narrow, and 
stony granitic ridge, and lies on the 
boundary between Pequannock and 
Jefferson t-ships. 

Greene t-ship, Sussex co., bounded 
N. E. and E. by Newton and Byram 
t-ships, S. by Roxbury t-ship, Morris 
CO., W. by Independence and Hard- 
wicke t-ships, of the same county, 
and N. W. by Stillwater t-ship, of 
Sussex CO. Centrally distant S. W. 
from Newton 7 miles; greatest length 
N. and S. 9 miles ; breadth E. and 
W. 4 miles ; area, 14,080 acres ; sur- 



face on the south mountainous, else- 
where hilly. It is drained by tri- 
butaries of the Pequest creek, which 
flow through it to the southwest. 
Hunt's and Grass ponds are noted 
sheets of water in the t-ship ; Green- 
ville near the centre is the post-town. 
By the census of 1830 the t-ship con- 
tained 801 inhabitants, and in 1832 
150taxables, 23 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30, 1 store, 
2 grist mills, 1 saw mill, 150 horses 
and mules, and 400 neat cattle 3 years 
old and upwards, 12 tan vats; and 
paid a state and county tax of $279 
60 ; poor tax, 200 ; and road tax, 
$400. The mountain on the S. E. 
is composed of grey rock ; the basis 
of the soil, in the remainder of the 
t-ship, is limestone and slate, the 
former prevailing. 

Green Bank, settlement on the left 
bank of MuUica river, Washington 
t-ship, Burlington co., about 10 miles 
by the river from its union with Great 
bay. There are here, 2 taverns, 2 
stores, and 12 or 15 dwellings, with- 
in a space of 2 miles. The shore is 
clean and high ; the soil sandy loam, 
of tolerable quality and well cultivated. 

Greenville, p-t. and village, of 
Greene t-ship, Sussex co., by the post 
route, 222 miles N. E. of W. C, 69 
from Trenton, and 8 S. W. from 
Newton ; contains a store, tannery, 
and 10 or 12 dweUings, and is sur- 
rounded by a rich hmestone country. 

Green Village, Chatham t-ship, 
Morris co., 3^ miles S. E. from Mor- 
ristown ; contains some 5 or 6 dwell- 
ings, situated in a pleasant fertile 
country. 

Greenwich t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded on the N. E. by Deptford 
t-ship, S. E. by Franklin, S. W. by 
Woolwich t-ships, and N. W. by the 
river Delaware. Centrally distant 
S. W. from Woodbury 7 miles ; great- 
est length 15 miles; greatest breadth 
7 miles; area, 35,840 acres; surface 
level; soil sandy. It is drained N. 
W. by Mantua on the N. E., and by 
Repaupo creek on the S. W. boun- 
dary ; Clonmell and Crab creeks are 
small intermediate streams; and on 



GRE 



152 



GRE 



the S. W. by Raccoon creek. Byl- 
lingsport, Paulsboro', Sandtown, 
Clarkesboro', Carpenter's Landing, 
Barnsboro', and MuUica Hill, are 
villages of the t-ship ; population in 
1830, 2557. In 1832 the t-ship con- 
tained 306 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed i30 in value ; 9 
stores, 3 fisheries, 5 grist mills, 1 
woollen manufactory, 5 saw mills, 1 
ferry, 2 tan yards, 1054 neat cattle, 
and 549 horses and mules, under 3 
years of age ; and paid county tax, 
$1491 85 ; poor tax, $745 92; road 
tax, $1100. 

Greemvich, t-ship of Cumberland 
CO., bounded N. by Newport creek, 
which divides it from Stow Creek 
t-ship, E. by Hopewell t-ship, S. by 
Cohansey creek, which divides it 
from Fairfield t-ship and the river 
Delaware, and W. by Stow creek, 
which separates it from Lower Allo- 
way's Creek t-ship. Centrally dis- 
tant W. from Bridgeton, 8 miles; 
greatest length N. and S. 7 miles; 
breadth E. and W. 6 miles ; area, 
13,440 acres; surface, level; soil, ge- 
nerally of clay and deep rich loam, 
and well cultivated. Beside the 
streams named, the t-ship is drained 
by Mill creek on its south-east boun- 
dary, and by Pine Mount creek ; 
Greenwich is the village and post- 
town. Population of the t-ship in 
1830, 912. In 1832, it contained 
205 taxables, 72 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed in value $30 ; 
5 stores, none of which sell ardent 
spirits, 3 grist mills, 1 carding ma- 
chine, 1 tannery, 1 distillery for cider, 
and 148 horses and 484 neat cattle 
3 years old and upwards. 

Greenwich, post-town of the above 
t-ship, on the Cohansey creek, 6 
miles from the mouth, and 6 S. W. 
from Bridgeton, by post-route 195 N. 
E. from W. C, and 81 from Tren- 
ton; contains between 40 and 50 
dwellings of stone, frame, and brick ; 
1 tavern, 3 stores, and a large grist 
and merchant mill, 2 Quaker meet- 
ing houses, 1 Methodist church, a 
temperance society, counting more 
than 200 members; the soil clay 



and rich loam, well cultivated, and 
very productive in wheat, oats, rye, 
and corn. 

Greenwich, t-ship, Warren co., 
bounded N. by Oxford t-ship, N. E. 
by Mansfield, S. E. by the Musconet- 
cong creek, which separates it from 
Hunterdon co., and W. by the riven 
Delaware. Centrally distant S. from*; 
Belvidere, the county town, 10 miles ;j 
greatest length N. and S. 13 miles; 
breadth E. and W. 11 miles; area, 
38,000 acres ; surface hilly, the, 
South Mountain covering the t-ship. 
Drained by Lopatcong, Pohatcong, 
and Musconetcong creeks, all which 
flow S. W. through the t-ship to the 
Delaware river. The turnpike road 
from Somerville runs N. W. and 
that from Schooley's mountain W. 
through the t-ship to Philipsburg, on 
the Delawai-e, opposite to Easton. 
Below that town the Moi'ris canal 
commences, and runs across the 
t-ship. The population in 1830, was 
4486. Taxables in 1832, 830; at 
that time the t-ship contained 266 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 in value; 9 stores, 17 
run of stones for grinding grain, 1 
fishery, 2 carding machines, 1 cotton 
factory, 3 oil mills, 1 fuUing mill, 3 
distilleries, 930 horses and mules, 
and 1265 neat cattle over 3 years of 'j 
age. Although this t-ship be very 
mountainous, it is one of the most 
productive, not only of the county, 
but of the state. Whilst the moun- 
tains assume a granitic character, the 
valleys are every where underlaid 
with limestone, and their soils fertile. 
The valleys of the Musconetcong, the 
Pohatcong, and Lopatcong, and even 
the small vales through which their 
tributaries wander, are highly culti- I 
vated and improved, and there are 
farmers who send to market from 
one thousand to three thousand bush- 
els of wheat, annually, beside other 
agricultural pi'oductions. The most 
interesting minerals yet discovered in 
the t-ship, are marble, steatite or 
soapstone, and iron. 

Greemvood, forest, east of the Wa- 
wayanda mountain, and west of Bear 



HAC 



153 



HAC 



Fort Mountain, on the borders of Ver- 
. non and Pompton t-ships, and Sussex 
and Bergen counties; extending N. and 
S. 14 miles into the state of New York. 
Griggstown, Franklin t-ship, So- 
merset CO., on the right bank of the 
Millstone river, and on the Delaware 

»and Raritan canal, 5 miles below 
Kingston, and 9 south of Somerville ; 
contains a tavern, store, and some 
half dozen dwellings. A grist mill for- 
merly here has been torn down, be- 
ing in the route of the canal, which 
follows the bank of the river. A cop- 
per mine near this place has been 
wrought, but not with success. 

Groveville, village of Nottingham 
t-ship, Burlington co., in a bend of 
the Cross wick's creek, about 6 miles 
S. E. of Trenton, and 4 N. E. from 
Bordentown ; contains a large wool- 
len manufactory, grist and saw mill, 
and 10 or 12 houses. The creek is na- 
vigable from the Delaware to the vil- 
lage, a distance of more than six miles. 
Guineatotvn, a small hamlet of Up- 
per Alloways Creek t-ship, near its 
northern boundary; contains 8 or 10 
dwellmgs, chiefly inhabited by ne- 
groes. 

Gvm Branch, an arm of the south 
branch of Toms' river, flows easterly 
about 4 miles through the S. E. part 
of Upper Freehold t-ship, Monmouth 
county. 

Hackensack t-ship, Bergen co., 
bounded N. by Harrington, E. and S. 
E. by Hudson's river, S. by Bergen 
t-ship, S. W. by Lodi, and N. W. 
by New Barbadoes. Centrally dis- 
■ tant from Hackensacktown, 2^ miles 
. E. ; greatest length N. and S. 9 
miles ; breadth E. and W. 5 miles ; 
area, 24,000 acres ; surface on the 
E. hilly, on the W. level ; soil red 
shale, with some marsh on the Hack- 
ensack river and English creek, ge- 
nerally well cultivated and productive. 
, It is drained S. by the Hackensack 
and by English creek, and N. by 
other tributaries of the river. There 
are four bridges over the Hackensack, 
I connecting this with New Barbadoes 
f t-ship, viz. one at New Milford, at 
Old Bridge, at New Bridge, and 
U 



one at Hackensacktown; these, with 
Strahlenburg, Closter, Fort Lee, 
Mount Clinton, and English Neigh- 
bourhood, are the most noted places 
of the t-ship. The frontier on the 
North river, is marked by the per- 
pendicular trap rocks, known as the 
Palisades. Population in 1830, 2200. ' 
In 1832 the t-ship contained 535 tax- 
ables, 94 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30 in value, 56 
single men, 7 merchants, 11 grist 
mills, 4 fisheries, 1 1 saw mills, 2 full- 
ing mills, 1 ferry, over the Pludson, 
8 tan vats, 460 horses, and 1170 neat 
cattle, above 3 years old; and the 
t-ship paid the following taxes : state, 
$303 61; county, $615 38; poor, 
$300; road, $1000. 

Hackensack River, rises by two 
branches in Rockland co., state of 
New Yoi'k; one in the Hightorn 
mountain, a spur of the Ramapo ; and 
the other from a pond, in the high 
bank of the Hudson river, opposite to 
Sing Sing. These unite below Clarkes- 
town, and thence pursue their way 
southwardly, through that county into 
Bergen co., and thence to Newark 
bay. Its whole length by meanders 
of the stream, may be from 35 to 40 
miles. Until it meets the tide at 
Hackensacktown, it is a fine mill 
stream. Below that town it flows 
through a marsh to the bay. Sloops 
ascend to the town. 

Hackensack, post and county town 
of Bergen co., on the right bank of 
the Hackensack river, 15 miles from 
its mouth, 12 from New York, 63 
from Trenton, and 229 from W. C. 
It is a pleasant and neat town, stretch- 
ing through the meadows, on the 
river, for about a mile in length ; con- 
taining about 150 dwellings and 1000 
inhabitants, principally of Dutch ex- 
traction; three churches, viz. one 
Dutch Reformed, and two formed of 
scceders from that church : two aca- 
demies, one boarding school for fe- 
males, ten stores, three taverns, two 
paint factories, one coach maker, two 
tanneries, several hatters, three 
smiths, and four or five cordwainers. 
The county court house is a neat and 



HAD 



154 



HAM 



spacious brick edifice ; the offices of 
the surrogate and county clerk are of 
the same material, and fire proof. 
Considerable business is done here 
with the adjacent country, and seve- 
ral sloops ply between the town and 
New York, carrying from it wood, 
lumber and agricultural products. 
The Weehawk Bank, originally esta- 
blished at Weehawk, on the North 
river, was removed here in 1825, and 
then received the name of the Wash- 
ington Bank. Its authorized capital 
is $200,000, of which $93,460 have 
been paid in. A good turnpike road 
runs from Hoboken to Hackensack, 
and thence to Paterson. Hacken- 
sack was the scene of considerable 
military operations during the revo- 
lutionary war. 

Hacketstown, p-t., Independent 
t-ship, Warren co., lying between 
the Morris canal and Musconetcong 
river, which are here about one mile 
distant from each other. The village 
is by the post road, 215 miles N. E. 
from W. C, 59 from Trenton, and 
15 E. from Belvidere, the county 
town, and 6 from Belmont Spring, 
Schooley's mountain; contains 5 
large stores, 2 taverns, and from -SO 
to 40 dwellings of wood and brick, 
1 Presbyterian and 1 Methodist 
church, an academy, in which the 
classics are taught, 2 common 
schools, 1 resident Presbyterian cler- 
gyman, and 3 physicians, 2 large 
flour mills, a woollen manufactory 
and a clover mill. The town is built 
upon cross streets ; is surrounded by 
a fertile limestone country, where 
farms sell at from 50 to 75 dollars 
the acre. This vicinity is rapidly im- 
proving by means of the Morris canal. 
Haddon field, p-t., of Newton 
t-ship, Gloucester co., near the west 
bank of Cooper's creek, 6 miles S. 
E. from Camden, 9 N. E. from 
Woodbury, 144 from W. C, and 
36 S. from Trenton; contains 100 
dwellings, a Quaker meeting and 
Baptist church, 2 schools, a public 
library, 2 fire companies, and 2 fire 
engines, 7 stores, 2 taverns, 2 grist 
mills, a woollen manufactory and 2 



tanneries. This is a very pleasant 
town, built upon both sides of a wide 
road, along which it extends for 
more than a half mile. The houses 
are of brick and wood, many of them 
neat and commodious, and surround- 
ed by gardens, orchards, and grass 
lots. This was a place of some note, 
bearing its present name, prior to 
1713. The house erected by Eliza- 
beth Haddon, of brick and boards, 
brought from England, in style 
which must then have been deemed 
magnificent, has upon it " 1713, 
Haddonficld," formed of the arch 
brick. For many years the town has 
undergone little change, but a dispo- 
sition to build has lately been awaken- 
ed. The soil of the surrounding 
country is of excellent quality, being 
fertile sandy loam, and is highly pro- 
ductive of corn, vegetables, fruits and 
grass, which, with its vicinity to mar- 
ket, occasions it to be much sought af- 
ter,and at high prices; whole farms sell- 
ing at from 60 to 100 dolls, the acre. 

Hagerstorvn, a small hamlet, of 
Elsinborough t-ship, Salem co., on 
the road leading from Salem to Han- 
cock's bridge, about 4 miles S. of the 
former, contains 10 or 12 cottages, 
inhabited chiefly by negroes. 

Haines^ Creek, a considerable 
tributary of the Rancocus creek, ri- 
sing by several branches in Eves- 
ham t-ship, Bui'lington co., on all of 
which there are mills. It flows N. 
E. by a course of about 14 miles to 
its recipient, near Eayrstown. 

liakchokake Creek, rises in Alex- 
andria t-ship, Hunterdon co., and 
flows S. W. by a course of 6 or 7 
miles, to the Delaware river, three 
miles above the town of Alexandria, 
passing by Mount Pleasant, and giv- 
ing motion to several mills. 

HaWs Pond, small basin of wa- 
ter, in Newton t-ship, Sussex co., 3 
miles S. E. of the town of Newton. 

Hamburg, p-t., of Vernon t-ship, 
Sussex CO., in the S. W. angle of the 
t-ship, within 1^^ miles of the west 
foot of the Wallkill mountains, near 
the E. bank of the Wallkill river, and 
near the Pochuck turnpike road. 



HAN 



155 



HAN 



Distant, by post route from W. C, 
248, from Trenton, 90, and from 
Newton, 14 miles; contains a church 
, common to Baptists and Presbyteri- 
ans, 2 taverns, 4 stores, 2 grist mills, 
and two saw mills, and 15 or 20 
dwellings. This is a thriving village, 
and the water power on the river of- 
fers strong inducements to settlers. 

Homburg, or Wallkill Moimtains, 
a local name given to the chain of 
hills on the South mountain, extend- 
ing N. E. across the townships of 
Byram and Hardiston, and inter- 
locking with Wawayanda and Po- 
chuck mountain, in Vernon . t-ship ; 
about 25 miles in length. 

Hamilton t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded N. E. by Galloway t-ship, 
S. E. by Egg Harbour and Wey- 
mouth t-ships, S. W. by Maurice ri- 
■ ver and Milleville t-ships, of Cumbei-- 
land CO., and N. W. by Franklin, 
Deptford and Gloucester t-ships. Cen- 
. trally distant, S. E. from Woodbury, 
30 miles; greatest length, N. and S., 
18 miles; breadth, E. and W., 11 
miles; area, 106,880 acres. Sur- 
face level, and soil sandy, covered 
generally with pine forest, and drain- 
ed, southwardly, by Groat Egg Har- 
bour river, which runs centi-ally 
through it, receiving several small 
tributaries on either hand. Hamilton 
and May's Landing are villages of 
the townsliip ; the latter a post town. 
Population in 18.30, 1424. In 1832, 
the township contained 115 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not exceed 
$30; 7 stores, 2 grist mills, 1 blast 
furnace, 6 saw mills, 1 forge with 4 
• fires, 135 neat cattle, and 171 horses 
and mules, above the age of three 
years ; and paid county tax, $209 62 ; 
poor tax, $104 74^; road tax, 
$800. The assessor returns but 670 
acres of improved land. 

Hamilton Village. (See May''s 
Landing.) 

Hammonton Post Office, Glouces- 
ter CO., by post-route, 167 miles 
from W. C, and 59 from Trenton. 

Hancoclc's Bridge, Lower Allo- 
ways Creek t-ship, Salem co., over 
the AUoways creek. There is a post- 



town here, which contains between 
30 and 40 dwellings, a Friend's meet- 
ing house, a tavern, and 2 stores. 
Distant 5 miles S. of Salem, 174 N. 
E. from W. C, 54 S. from Trenton: 
the soil immediately about the town 
is of rich clay, and marsh meadow, 
banked and productive. 

HanFs Pond, covers about 300 
acres, in Pompton t-ship, Bergen co., 
near Clinton forges, to which it pays 
a tribute of its waters. 

Hanover t-ship, Burlington co., 
bounded N. E. by Upper Freehold 
and Dover t-ships, Monmouth co., S. 
by the North and Pole Bridge branch- 
es of the Rancocus creek, which se- 
parate it from Northampton t-ship, 
W. and N. W. by Springfield, Mans- 
field, and Chesterfield t-ships. Cen- 
trally distant N. E. from Mount Hol- 
ly, 12 miles; greatest length N. W. 
and S. E. 16 miles; greatest breadth, 
13 miles; area, 44,000 acres; sur- 
face, generally level ; soil, sandy 
loam and sand, and in the S. E. part 
covered with pine forest. Drained 
N. E. by tributaries of the Cross- 
wick's creek, on the N. W. by 
Black's creek, and on the S. by the 
north branch of the Rancocus, upon 
which, near the S. W. angle of the 
t-ship, is the County Poor House. A r- 
ney'stown, Shelltown, Jacobstown, 
Wrightstown, and Scrabbletown, are 
villages of the t-ship ; at the first of 
which there is a post-ofiice. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 2859. In 1832, the 
t-ship contained 530 taxables, 298 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 in value ; 77 single men, 
10 mei'chants, 5 saw mills, 5 grist 
mills; 1 furnace, called Hanover; 20 
tan vats, 1 carding machine, 7 distil- 
leries for cider, 1 two horse stage, 
36 dearborns, 85 covered wagons, 5 
chairs and curricles, 13 gigs and sul- 
kies, and paid state tax, $392 14; 
county tax, $1369 19; and township 
tax, $500. 

Hanover t-ship, Morris co., bound- 
ed N. by Pequannock t-ship, E. by 
Livingston t-ship, Essex co., S. E. 
by Chatham t-ship, S. by Morris, and 
W. by Randolph t-ships. Centrally 



HAR 



156 



HAR 



distant N. from Morristown, 5 miles ; 
greatest length E. and W. 12 ; 
breadth N. and S. 9 miles; area, 
35,000 acres ; surface on the N. W. 
hilly, Trowbridge mountain there 
crossing the t-ship ; on the E. and S. 
E. level ; soil, clay, loam and gravel. 
The Rockaway river forms its north- 
ern boundary, running into the Pas- 
saic, which on the east divides the 
t-ship from Essex county. The W hip- 
pany and Parsipany rivers also flow 
through it, uniting about a mile 
before they commingle with the Rock- 
away. Population" in 1830, 3718. 
In 1832, the t-ship contained 700 
taxables, 173 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 in value ; 
79 single men, 14 stores, 7 saw mills, 
7 grist mills, 29 tan vats, 9 distille- 
ries, 3 paper mills, 5 forges, 2 rolling 
and slitting mills, 2 fulling mills, 2 
carding machines, 4 cotton manufac- 
tories, 621 horses and mules, and 
2080 cattle above 3 years old; and 
paid state tax, $548 98; county, 
$1229 08; poor, $1000; road tax, 
1000. This t-ship is not remarkable 
for the extent of its agricultural pro- 
duce, the soil not being of the best 
quality, yet it is generally well culti- 
vated. It contains, however, many 
and various manufactories, and abun- 
dant water power for others. 

Hanover, post-town of preceding 
t-ship, on the turnpike road from 
Newark to Milford, 7 miles E. from 
Morristown, 225 from W. C, and 59 
from Trenton; contains a Presbyte- 
rian church and half a dozen dwell- 
ings, situate on the plain near the 
bank of the Passaic. 

Hanover Neck post-office, Morris 
CO., 227 miles N. E. from W. C, 
and 61 from Trenton, by post-route. 

Hardinsville p-o., Gloucester co. 

Hardiston t-sp, Sussex co., bound- 
ed N. by Wantage t-ship, N. E. by 
Vernon, S. E. by Bergen and Mor- 
ris counties, and W. by Newton and 
Frankford t-ships. Greatest length 
132 miles; breadth 9 miles; area, 
41,960 acres; surface mountainous, 
covered principally by the Hamburg 
or Wallkill mountains. Pimple Hill 



is also a distinguished eminence. 
The t-ship is drained chiefly by the 
Wallkill river, which flows north- 
ward, centrally through it, and Pe- 
quannock creek, which flows through 
the eastern angle. Norman's Pond, 
and White Ponds, are basins which 
send forth tributaries to the river. 
Population in 1830,2588. Taxables 
in 1832, 450. There were in the 
t-ship in 1832, 2 Presbyterian church- 
es, 171 householders, whose ratables 
did not exceed $30 in value ; 8 store- 
keepers, 13 pairs of stones for grind- 
ing grain, 2 carding machines, 7 
mill saws, 1 furnace, 13 forge fires, 
1 fulling mill, 407 horses and mules, 
and 1437 neat cattle above the age of 
3 years; 37 tan vats, 9 distilleries. 
The t-ship paid state and county tax, 
$915; poor tax, $500; and road 
tax, $1200. Sparta and Monroe are 
post-towns of the t-ship; there is a 
third post-office at Harmony Vale, in 
the N. W. angle of the t-ship. The 
Hamburg or Wallkill mountain, 
which has an unbroken course through 
the t-ship, contains an inexhaustible 
mass of zinc and. iron ores, and the 
t-ship generally is considered as one 
of the most interesting mineral loca- 
lities in the United States. 

Hardwick t-ship, Warren co., 
bounded E. by Stillwater and Green 
Uships, of Sussex co., S. by Indepen- 
dence t-ship, W. by Knowlton, and N. 
by Pahaquarry t-ships. Centrally 
distant N. E. from Belvidere, 15 
miles ; greatest length N. and S. 1 1 ; 
breadth E. and W. 8 miles; area, 
24,320 acres. Population in 1830, 
1962. There were in the t-ship in 
1832, 82 householders, whose rata- 
ble estates did not exceed $30 in va- 
lue; 5 stores, 13 pairs of stones for 
grain, 2 carding machines, 1 wool 
factory, 5 saw mills, 56 tan vats, 4 
distilleries ; and it paid a state and 
county tax of $967 59. The sur- 
face of the t-ship is generally hilly, 
and is drained south-westerly by 
Paulinskill, Beaver brook, and Bear 
branch of the Pequest creek, and 
also by some limestone sinks ; Marks- 
boro', Lawrenceville, Johnsonburg, 



HAR 



157 



HIL 



and Shiloh, are post-towns of the 
t-ship. Lime and slate alternate in 
the t-ship, as in Knowlton ; the ridges 
being of the latter, and the valleys of 
the former; both are productive, ex- 
cept where the slate rock approaches 
too near the surface. White Pond 
in this t-ship, about a mile north of 
Marksboro', is a great natural curio- 
sity. (See Marksboro\) 

Harlingen, p-t., Montgomery t-sp. 
Somerset co., 9 miles S. W. from 
Somerville, 185 from W. C, and 19 
from Trenton ; contains a Dutch Re- 
formed church, a store, tavern, and 
4 or 5 dwellings, in a fertile country 
of red shale. 

Harmony, post-office and Presby- 
terian church, of Greenwich t-ship, 
Warren co., by the post route, distant 
from W. C. 200, from Trenton 60, 
and from Belvidere, 8 miles. 

Harmony Vale, p-t., in the N. W. 
angle of Hardistone t-ship, Sussex 
CO., 240 miles from W. C, 82 from 
Trenton, and 10 from Newton; con- 
tains some 10 or 12 dwellings, and 
a Presbyterian church. 

Harrington t-ship, Bergen co., 
bounded N. by Rockland co., New 
York, E. by the Hudson river, S. by 
New Barbadoes and Hackensack 
t-ships, and W. by Franklin t-ship. 
Centrally distant from the town of 
Hackensack N. 7 miles; greatest 
length 9^ ; breadth 7 miles ; area, 
.34,000 acres; surface level, except 
near the bank of the North river, 
along which runs the Closter moun- 
tains, 400 feet high, forming the Pali- 
sades; soil loam, well cultivated and 
fertile. It is watered by the Hack- 
ensack river, flowing southerly and 
centrally through it, receiving the 
Paskack brook, which, rising in New 
York, seeks its recipient near the cen- 
tre of the t-ship ; and by Saddle river, 
■ which, rising also in New York, flows 
along the western boundary ; popula- 
tion in 1830, 2581. In 18.32 there 
were 776 taxables, 152 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 in 
value, 46 single men, 10 stores, 20 
grist mills, 3 cotton manufactories, 
2 furnaces, 23 saw mills, and 685 



horses, and 1332 neat cattle, over 3 
years of age, 1 fulling mill, 26 tan 
vats, 2 woollen factories ; and it paid 
state tax, i432 57 ; county, $910 92. 

Harrison's Brook, branch of the 
Dead river, a tributary of the Passaic, 
rises in the Mine mountain near Veal- 
town, and flows S. 5 miles to its re- 
cipient, about a mile below Liberty 
Corner. 

Heatlicote' s Brook, tributary of 
Millstone river, rising near the Sand 
Hills, and flowing westerly about 5 
miles, to its recipient, near Kingston. 

Herberton, town of Hopewell t-sp. 
Hunterdon co., 11 miles S. of Flem- 
ington, UN. from Trenton; con- 
tains some half dozen dwellings, a 
Baptist church, store, and tavern ; the 
country around it is hilly, with soil 
of red shale, well cultivated. The 
t-ship poor-house, on a farm of 140 
acres, is near it, where the average 
number of 30 paupers are annually 
maintained by their own labour. 

Hereford Inlet, Middle t-ship, Cape 
May CO., a passage of between one 
and two miles wide, between Leam- 
ing's and Five Mile beach, through 
which the sea enters the lagunes and 
marshes upon the Atlantic coast. 

Hickory, small hamlet of Bethle- 
hem t-ship, Hunterdon co., 12 miles 
N. W. of Flemington, at the south 
foot of the Musconetcong mountain, 
and on the line dividing Bethlehem 
from Alexandria t-ship. 

Hightstown, p-t. of East Windsor 
t-ship, Middlesex co., on the turnpike 
road from Bordentown to Cranberry, 
and on Rocky brook, 13 miles from 
Bordentown, 183 from W. C, and 18 
from Trenton; contains a Baptist and 
Presbyterian church, 3 taverns, 2 
stores, a grist and saw mill, and from 
30 to 40 dwellings. The rail-road 
from Bordentown to Amboy passes 
through the town, and a line of stages 
runs thence to Princeton, &c. 

Hillsborovgh t-ship, Somerset co., 
bounded N. by the main stem, and 
south branch of Raritan river, which 
separates it from Bridgewater, E. by 
Millstone river, dividing it from Frank- 
lin, S. by Montgomery, and W. by 



HOB 



158 



HOP 



Amwell t-ship, Hunterdon co. Cen- 
trally distant S. W. from Somerville 
5 miles ; greatest length E. and W. 
10; breadth N. and S. 7 miles ; area, 
about 36,000 acres; surface on the 
west hilly, the Neshanie or Rock 
mountain extending over it ; the soil 
clay and loam : on the east level and 
gently undulating; soil red shale. 
The whole t-ship is well cultivated. 
Besides the streams on the bounda- 
ries, the only considerable one is 
Roy's brook, flowing into the Mill- 
stone. Flaggtown, Millstone, Nesha- 
nie, Koughstown, and Blackwells, are 
the villages of the t-ship; the two first 
post-towns. Population in 1830, 2878. 
In 1832 the t-ship contained about 
560 taxablcs, 95 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed fSO in value, 
58 single men, 9 stores, 8 saw mills, 
8 grist mills, 1 fulling mill, 10 tan 
vats, 4 distilleries, 2 carding ma- 
ichines, 939 horses and mules, and 
1638 neat cattle, of 3 years old and 
upwards; and paid state tax, $382 
.92; county, $1182 53. There is a 
Dutch Reformed church in the t-ship. 
Hohohen, village of Bergen t-ship, 
Bergen co., on the North river, oppo- 
site to the city of New York, built 
chiefly on one street, and contains 
about 1 hundred dwellings, 3 licensed 
taverns, many unlicensed houses of 
entertainment, 4 or 5 stores, and se- 
veral livery stables and gardens, and 
between 6 and 7 hundred inhabitants. 
It is remarkable, however, chiefly as 
a place of resort, for the citizens of 
New York, during the hot days of 
the summer ; the bank of the river is 
high, and the invigorating sea breeze 
may be enjoyed at almost all hours 
when the sun is above the horizon. 
The liberality of Mr. Stevens, who is 
an extensive landholder here, has 
opened many attractions to visiters, in 
the walks along the river bank, over 
his grounds ; and in the beautiful fields 
studded with clumps of trees, and va- 
riegated by shady woods, the busi- 
ness-worn Yorker finds a momenta- 
ry relaxation and enjoyment in the 
"Elysian fields;" and the gastro- 
nomes, whether of the corporation of 



New Amstel, or invited guests, find a 
less rural, though not a more sensual 
pleasure, in the least of Turtle grove. 
The value of the groves of Hoboken 
to the inhabitants of N. York, is inap- 
predated and inappreciable. They are 
the source of health to thousands. — 
Several steam-boats ply constantly 
between this town and New York. 

Holland's Brook, tributary of the 
south branch of the Raritan river, 
rises in Readington t-ship, Hunter- 
don CO., and flows by a S. E. course 
of about 7 miles, to its recipient in 
Bridgewater t-ship, Somerset co. 

Holmdel or Baptistown, p-t. of 
Middletown t-ship, Monmouth co., 7 
miles N. E. from Freehold, 219 from 
W. C, and 53 E. from Trenton; 
contains an academy, a Baptist 
church, 2 stores, 8 dwellings, lying 
in a highly improved country, pro- 
ducing rye, corn, grass, &c. 

Hog Island, in Little Egg Har- 
bour river, Galloway t-ship, Glou- 
cester CO. 

Hohokus Brook, rises and has its 
course S. E. 9 miles in Franklin 
t-ship, Bei'gen co. It is a rapid wild 
stream, studded with mills, and gives 
name to the village of 

Hohokus, village, situate on the 
turnpike road leading thence to the 
Sterling mountain, N. Y., 9 miles from 
Hackensack ; contains a tavern, store, 
cotton mill, and several dwellings. 

Hoj)e Creek, a small stream of 4 j 
or 5 miles in length, which rises in, 
and flows through, the meadows and 
marshes of Lower Alloway's Creek ( 
t-ship, Salem co. It is not navigable. 

Hope, p-t., on the line dividing 
Knowlton from Oxford t-ship, on a 
branch of Beaver brook, 212 miles 
from W. C, and 59 from Trento^l, 
and 10 N. E. from Belvidere; ccto- 
tains a grist mill and saw mill, 6 
stores, 2 taverns, and about 30 dwell- 
ings, an Episcopal and Methodist 
church. The soil around it is lime- 
stone, and well cultivated. This was 
originally a Moravian settlement. 

Hopeii'ell t-ship, of Cumberland co., 
bounded E. by Deerfield, S. E. and i 
S. by Fairfield, W. by Greenwich and i 



i 



HOP 



159 



HOW 



Stow Creek t-ships, and N. by Hope- 
well t-ship, of Salem co. Greatest 
length 10, breadth 6 miles; area, 
20,000 acres ; surface rolling ; soil 
clay loam. Cohansey creek bounds 
the t-ship on the east and south, and 
Mount's creek and Mill creek, its tri- 
butaries, are on and near the S. W. 
boundary. Population in 1830, 1953. 
In 1832 there were in the t-ship 468 
taxables, 1 Seventh-day Baptist, and 
1 Methodist church, 112 household- 
ers, whose ratables did not exceed 
$30 in value, 4 stores, 5 run stones 
for grinding grain, 1 cupola furnace, 

1 rolling and slitting mill, 3 tanneries, 

2 distilleries for cider ; and the t-ship 
paid for road tax, $500; and for 
county and state tax, -Si 052 87. Part 
of the town of Bridgcton is on the 
eastern boundary, and Shiloh and 
Roadstown are on the west. Bowen- 
town lies midway on the road between 
the first and the last. 

Hopewell t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded N. by Amwell t-ship, E. by 
Montgomery t-ship, of Somerset co., 
S. E. by Lawrence t-ship, S. by Tren- 
ton t-ship, and W. by the river Dela- 
ware. Centrally distant S. from 
Flemington 12 miles; greatest length 
E. and W. 12 ; breadth N. and^^S. 
10 miles; area, 36,000 acres; sur- 
face on the north hilly, a chain of low, 
trap mountains extending across it ; 
and on the south level, and abundant- 
ly productive ; soil red shale, loam, 
and gravel. It is drained on the west 
by Smith's and Jacob's creeks, and 
east by Stony brook. Population in 
1830, 3151. In 1832 the t-ship con- 
tained 70 houses and lots, 11 stores, 
5 fisheries, 6 saw mills, 8 grist mills, 
2 oil mills, 17 tan vats, 1 distillery, 1 
carding machine, 1 fulling mill, 863 
horses and mules, and 1078 neat cat- 
tle, over 3 years of age; and paid 
poor tax, 8300; road tax, $1200; 
state, $1722 84. Pennington and 
Woodsville are post-towns, and Hc- 
bertown and Columbia, villages of 
the t-ship. 

Hopper's or Ramapotown, on the 
Bamapo river, cast foot of the Rama- 



Hackensack ; contains a tavern, and 
some 6 or 8 dwellings. 

Hornerstown, hamlet, on Marl 
Ridge, Upper Freehold t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., 20 miles S. W. of Free- 
hold court-house, and 15 S. E. from 
Trenton ; contains several dwellings, 
a grist mill, and saw mill, and fulling 
mill, upon the Lahaway creek, a 
branch of the Crosswicks. The soil 
on the north side of the creek is deep, 
rich loam ; and on the south, barren 
sand. There is here a great deposit 
of valuable marl. 

Hospitality, branch of the Great 
Egg Harbour river, rises in Deptford 
t-ship, Gloucester co., and flows S. E. 
to the river at Pennypot Mill, in Ha- 
milton t-ship, about 14 miles from its 
source, receiving fi'om the west. Fara- 
way, Lake, and Cold branches. 

Howell township, Monmouth co., 
bounded N. by Shrewsbury, E. by 
the Atlantic ocean, S. by Dover t-ship, 
and W. by Freehold t-ship. Centrally 
distant S. E. from Freehold 1 1 miles ; 
greatest length E. and W. 13 ; breadth 
N. and S. 11 miles; area, 70,000 
acres ; surface level ; soil sand, sandy 
loam, and clay ; drained by Shark, 
Manasquan, and Metetecunk rivers, 
which flow east to the ocean; the first 
on the north, and the last on the south 
boundary. Manasquan, Squankum, 
and Howell's Furnace, are post-towns 
of Ihc t-ship. Population in 1830, 
4141. In 1832 there were in the 
t-ship about 800 taxables, 122 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not exceed 
$30, and 42 single men, 11 stores, 
10 saw mills, 5 grist mills, 2 fulling 
mills, 4 carding machines, 26 tan 
vats, 2 distilleries, 1 furnace in ope- 
ration, 365 horses and mules, and 
1400 neat cattle, 3 years old and up- 
wards. 

Hoioell Furnace, p-t., Howell 
t-ship, Monmouth co., 12 miles S. 
E. of Freehold, 47 from Trenton, 
and 212 N. E. from W. C, on the 
loft bank of the Manasquan river. 
The manufacture of iron is extensive- 
ly carried on here, and for the accom- 
modation of the workmen, there are 



I f>0 mountain, 16 miles N. W. from from 40 to 50 dwellings, and a store. 



HUN 



160 



HUN 



A company was incorporated for con- 
ducting the works, the stock of which, 
we understand, is now in great part, 
if not wholly, the property of Mr. 
James P. Sairs of New York. 

Hughesville, village, on the Muscon- 
etcong creek, about 5 miles from its 
mouth, 15 miles S. of Belvidere, and 
6 S. E. from Philipsville, in Green- 
wich t-ship, Warren co., and in a 
narrow and deep valley ; it contains 
a tavern, a store, a school and from 
15 to 20 dwelhngs. Lead or zine ore 
is said to be found in the mountain 
north of the town ; but most probably 
the latter, as the hill is part of the 
range of the Hamburg or Wallkill 
mountains, in which that mineral 
abounds. 

Hunterdon County, was taken 
from Burlington, by act of Assembly 
13th March, 1714, and received its 
name from governor Hunter. It has 
been since modified by the erection 
of Somerset, Morris and Warren cos., 
and is now bounded N. E. by Morris, 
E. by Somerset, S. E. by Middlesex, 
S. by Burlington, S. W. and W. by 
the river Delaware, and N. W. by 
the Musconetcong river, which sepa- 
rates it from Warren co. Greatest 
length N. and S. 43 miles; breadth 
26 miles; area, 324,572 acres, or 
about 507 square miles. Central 
lat. 40° 3' N. ; long. 2° 5' E. from 

w. c. 

This county borders S. on the 
great eastern alluvial formation. The 
primitive rock is first found in it at the 
falls of the Delaware river, near 
Trenton, and may be traced from 
the respective banks N. E. and S. 
W. It has in Jersey, however, a 
narrow breadth, being overlaid by a 
belt of the old red sandstone which 
stretches across the country for about 
20 miles to the low mountain ridge 
north of Flemington. About 12 miles 
north of Trenton, this formation is 
broken by a chain of trap hills which 
cross the Delaware below New Hope, 
and are known in this county by the 
name of Rocky mountain, &c. ; but 
this chain has the sandstone for its 
base. Between it and the chain north 



of Flernington, lies a fertile valley of 
red sandstone. With the hills north 
of Flemington, the primitive forma- 
tion is again visible, but the valleys 
which intersect them discover secon- 
dary limestone, particularly at New 
Germantown, Clinton, &c., in the 
German valley, and in the valley of 
the Musconetcong. 

The surface of the county S. and 
S. E. of Flemington, with the excep- . 
tion of the Rocky hills of which we 
have spoken, may be deemed level; 
on the north of Flemington it is moun- 
tainous; the ridges, however, are 
low and well cultivated to the sum- 
mits. Many of them, particularly 
those N. and W. of Flemington, pro- 
duce abundance of excellent ship tim- 
ber. The red shale of the sandstone 
formation, is generally susceptible of 
beneficial cultivation, and is grateful 
to the careful husbandman. The 
limestone valleys may be made what- 
ever the cultivator pleases, provided 
he bounds his wishes by the latitude 
and climate. And by the use of 
lime, the cold clay of the primitive 
hills may be converted into most pro- 
ductive soil. On the whole, this 
county may be considered one of the 
finest and most opulent of the state. 
It is tolerably well watered by streams, 
part of which seek the Raritan, 
whilst others flow to the Delaware 
river : of the fii-st, proceeding from 
the north, are Spruce run, the main 
south branch of the Raritan, Laming- 
ton river, Rockaway creek, Neshanie 
creek, and Stony brook : of the se- 
cond are the Musconetcong river, 
Hakehokake, Nischisakawick Lack- 
atong, Wickechecoke, Alexsocken, 
Smith, Jacob's, and Assunpink creeks. 
The towns of the county are Alexan- 
dria, Baptistown, Centreville, Clarks- 
ville, Clinton, Flemington, Hepborn's, 
Hopewell Meeting, Fairview, Lam- 
bertsville, Lawrenceville, Lebanon, 
Mattison's Corner, Milford, Mount 
Pleasant, New Germantown, New 
Hampton, Pennington, Pennyville, 
Pittstown, Potterstown, Prallsville, 
Quakertown, Ringoes, Sergeantsville, 
TRENTON, Vansyckle's, White 



IML 



161 



IND 



House, Woodsville, &c., all of which 
are post-towns. There are beside 
.these, some small hamlets of little 
note. The county contained in 1832, 
by the assessor's abstract, 86 mer- 
chants, 17 fisheries, 71 saw mills, 80 
grist mills, 13 oil mills, 9 ferries and 
toll bridges, 524 tan vats, 5 distilleries 
for grain, 58 for cider ; 1 cotton ma- 
nufactory, 17 carding machines, 10 
fulling mills, 50 stud horses, 7538 
horses and mules, and 12,492 neat 
cattle, over 3 years of age; and it 
paid poor tax, $6850 ; road tax, 
$8300; county tax, $14,535 84; 
and state tax, $4146 76. 

For the dissemination of moral and 



religious instruction, there are in 
the county Bible and tract societies, 
Sunday schools and temperance so- 
cieties, in almost all thickly settled 
neighbourhoods ; and the people ge- 
nerally, are remarkable for their so- 
ber and orderly deportment. 

The population of the county, de- 
rived principally from English and 
German sources, by the census of 
1830, amounted to 31,060, of whom 
14,465 were white males; 14,653 
white females; 869 free coloured 
males, and 901 free coloured females; 
77 male, and 95 female slaves; 34 
deaf and dumb, all white; 19 white, 
and 2 blacks, blind; 210 aliens. 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF HUNTERDON COUNTY. 





"So 


13 






Population. 


Townships. 




Area. 


Surface. 
















<1> 








1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


Alexandria, 


12 


9 


33,000 


mount's, hilly. 


2271 


2619 


3042 


Amwell, 


16 


15 


77,000 


p'thilly,p'tlevel. 


5777 


6749 


7385 


Bethlehem, 


9 


9 


25,000 


mountainous. 


1738 


2002 


2032 


Kingwood, 


17 


7 


35,312 


hilly. 


2605 


2786 


2898 


Hopewell, 


12 


10 


36,000 


p'tleveljp't hilly. 


2565 


2881 


3151 


Lawrence, 


8 


6 


13,093 


level. 




1354 


1430 


Lebanon, 


15 


7 


42,000 


mountainous. 


2409 


2817 


3436 


Readington, 


12 


H 


29,558 


generally level. 


1797 


1964 


2102 


Tewkesbury, 


8 


6i 


23,000 


mountainous. 


1308 


1499 


1659 


Trenton, 


7 


5 


10,609 
324,572 


level. 


3002 


3942 


3925 




23,472 


28,604 


31,060 



Hunt's Pond, a small basin on 
the N. W. line of Greene t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO., supplies the Bear branch of 
Pequest creek. 

Hunfs Mills. (See Clinton.) 
Hurricane Brook, a tributary of 
the south branch of Toms' river, Do- 
ver t-ship, Monmouth co., which 
unites with Black run, in the mill 
pond of Dover furnace. 
•. Imlaytown, post-town of Upper 
Freehold t-ship, Monmouth co., 3 
miles E. of Allentown, 180 N. E. 
from W. C, and 14 miles S. E. from 
Trenton; contains 12 or 15 dwell- 
ings, a grist and saw mill, tannery, 1 
tavern, 1 store, wheelwright and 
smith shop. The surrounding coun- 
try is gently undulating; soil, clay, 
X 



and sandy loam, generally well culti- 
vated and productive. 

Imlaydale, pleasant hamlet on the 
Musconetcong creek, Mansfield t-ship, 
Warren co., 4 miles S. of the village 
of Mansfield, and within 1 of New 
Hampton, in the adjacent county of 
Hunterdon, and 12 miles S. E. of 
Belvidere ; contains a mill, a store, 
and 3 dwellings. 

Independence t-ship, Warren co., 
bounded N. by Hardwick t-ship, E. 
by Green t-ship, Sussex co., S E. by 
Roxbury t-ship, Morris co., S. W. 
by Mansfield, and W. by Oxford 
t-ship. Centrally distant N. E. from 
Belvidere, the county town, 14 miles; 
greatest length 9 miles N. and S. ; 
breadth E. and W. 8^ ; area, 29,440 



IND 



162 



JAK 



acres; surface hilly on the E. and 
W., but a valley runs centrally N. 
E. and S. W. through the t-ship 
which is drained by the Pequcst 
creek, and on which there is a large 
body of meadow land. Bacon creek 
is a small tributary of the Pequest, 
which unites with it above the village 
of Vienna. The Musconetcong river 
forms the S. E. boundary, and in its 
valley, parallel therewith, runs the 
Morris canal. Alamuche, Hackets- 
town, and Vienna, are post-towns of 
the t-ship; there is a Quaker meet- 
ing house in the N. E. part of the 
t-ship. There were in the t-ship in 
1830, 2126 inhabitants; in 1832, 
429 taxables, 10,000 acres of im- 
proved land, 414 horses and mules, 
and 1066 neat cattle, over 3 years 
of age; 146 householders, whose ra- 
tables did not exceed $30 ; 8 stores, 
11 pairs of stones for grinding grain, 
6 saw mills, 21 tan vats, 4 distille- 
ries ; and it paid in t-ship taxes for the 
poor and roads, $900 ; and in county 
and state tax, $880 95. This ranks 
among the most valuable precincts of 
the state. The valleys are of fertile 
limestone, and the hill sides have 
been subjected to cultivation to a very 
great extent. The ridges which cross 
the t-ship from the S. W. to the N. 
E. are metalliferous, and upon the 
" Jenny Jump,'''' in the N. W., a gold 
mine is said to exist. Preparations 
have ostensibly been made for smelt- 
ing the ore, but the "wise ones" have 
little confidence in the undertaking, 
and consider the mineral discovered, 
if any, to be pyrites or fool's gold. 

Inskcep's Mill, at the junction of 
the N. E. branch of Great Egg Har- 
bour river, called Inskeep's branch, 
with the Squankum branch of said 
river, near the south border of Dept- 
ford t-ship, Gloucester county, about 
33 miles from Camden. 

Island Beach, Delaware t-ship, 
Monmouth co., extends N. 12 miles 
on the Atlantic ocean and Barnegat 
bay, from Barnegat inlet to what was 
formerly Cranberry inlet ; it no where 
exceeds half a mile in breadth. 

Indian Branch, a principal tribu- 



tary of the north branch of the Rari- 
tan river, rising in Randolph t-ship, 
Morris co., on the N. W. foot of 
Trowbridge mountain, and flowing S. 
W. through Mendham t-ship, giving 
motion to several mills in its course. 

Indian Run, branch of Doctor's 
creek, on the N. W. boundary of 
Upper Freehold t-ship, Monmouth 
CO., flows S. W. by a course of about 
2 miles, to its recipient, west of Allen- 
town, giving motion to a saw mill. 

Inskeep's Branch, or rather the 
main stem of the Great Egg Plarbour 
river, above Inskeep's Mill, about 30 
miles from the mouth of the river, 
rises in Gloucester t-ship, Gloucester 
CO., and flows a S. E. course of 12 
or 14 miles, to the mill, receiving 
Four Mile Branch and Squankum 
Branch. 

Jacksonville, on the line between 
Lebanon and Tewkesbury t-ships, 
Hunterdon co., about 11 miles N. of 
Flemington, and on the turnpike road 
from Somerville to Easton ; contains 
a tavern, store, grist mill, and 2 or 3 
dwellings. 

Jacksonville, formerly called Im- 
lay's Mills, on Rocky brook, a branch 
of the Millstone, in Upper Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co., 10 miles E. 
from Freehold ; contains a grist and 
saw mill, 2 stores, 7 dwellings, and a 
Presbyterian church. There is a 
large body of good bog ore at a short 
distance north of the town, and some 
indications of extensive mining opera- 
tions, said to have been carried on 
near it, many years since, in pursuit 
of copper. 

Jacksonville, post-office, Burling- 
ton CO., 160 miles N. E. of W. C, 
and 17 S. of Trenton. 

Jackson Glass Works, post-office, 
Gloucester co., by post route 156 
miles from W. C, and 48 from Tren- 
ton. 

Jacobstoum, Hanover t-ship, Bur* 
lington CO., near the Great Monmouth 
Road, 12 miles N. E. from Mount 
Holly, and 9 miles S. E. of Borden- 
town; contains 2 taverns, a store, 
and some 12 or 15 dwellings. 

Jake's Brook, small tributary of 



JEF 



163 



JER 



Toms' river, or rather of Toms' bay, 
with which it unites, below the village 
of Toms' River. 

Jefferson, village, Orange t-ship, 
Sussex CO., 6 miles W, from Newark, 
at the foot of the First mountain ; con- 
tains about 30 dwellings, a Baptist 
church, and school house. 
. Jefferson t-ship, Morris co., bound- 
ed N. W. by Hardistone t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO., N. E. by Pompton t-ship, 
Essex CO., S. E. by Pequannock 
t-ship, and S. W. by Roxbury t-ship, 
Morris co., and by Byram t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO. Centrally distant N. W. from 
Morristown 15 miles; greatest length 
14, breadth 31 miles; area 25,000 

, acres. The whole surface is covered 
with mountains, save a deep and nar- 
row valley, the lower part of which 
is called Berkshire, and the upper 

,■ Longwood, valley, bounded on the N. 
W. by the Hamburg mountain, and 
on the S. E. by Green Pond moun- 
tain. Through this valley flows the 
main branch of the Rockaway river, 
which has its source in the Hamburg 
mountain near the county line; and 
which, in its course through the vale, 
gives activity to a dozen forges and 
other mill works. On the top of the 
Hamburg mountain, near the S. W. 
line of the t-ship, lies Hurd's pond 
and Hopatcong lake. The first re- 
ceives a small stream which has a S. 

•- W. course of 4 or 5 miles, and pours 
its waters into the second. Hurd's 
pond is about I5 mile in length, by 
1 mile in breadth ; and the lake is be- 
tween 3 and 4 miles long, and about 
a mile broad, covering about 3000 
acres. These waters are remarkable, 
as well for their place, as their use; 
being at the summit level of the Morris 
canal, and employed as its feeders. 

. They are the source also of that fine 
stream, the Musconetcong creek, and 
are much celebrated for their fish. 
The mountain is rough and broken, 
and the descent into Berkshire valley 
is wildly picturesque : of which cha- 
racter Longwood also partakes. The 
base of the whole t-ship is granitic 
rock, which breaks through the sur- 

s face in every direction, in rude and 



heavy masses. From a soil thus con- 
stituted, little fertility is expected ; but 
the product of the mountain, in wood 
and iron, is very valuable. The popu- 
lation in 1830, was 1551. In 1832 
the t-ship contained 250 taxables, 127 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed .$30 in value, 6 stores, 2 grist, 
9 saw mills, 3 distilleries, and 18 
forges, 206 horses and mules, and 
598 neat cattle, over 3 years of age; 
and paid state tax, $139 79 ; county, 
8312 97; poor, $600; and road, 
$1000. 

Jenny Jump, a noted eminence in 
the northern part of Oxford t-ship, 
Warren co., extending N. E. and S. 
W. for about 10 miles, and into Inde- 
pendence t-ship. 

Jersey City, lies on a point of land 
projecting into the Hudson river, op- 
posite to the city of New York, dis- 
tant therefrom, 1 mile, 1 chain, 47 
links, in Bergen t-ship, Bergen co., 
13 miles S. of Hackensack, 224 miles 
N. E. from W. C, 58 from Trenton, 
and 8 from Newark. It was first in- 
corporated Jan. 28, 1820, compris- 
ing " All that portion of the t-ship of 
Bergen, owned by the Jersey Asso- 
ciates, formerly called Powles Hook, 
constituted and surrounded by a cer- 
tain ditch, as the boundary line be- 
tween the Jersey Associates and the 
lands of Cornelius Van Vorst, dec'd, 
on the W. and N. W., and by the 
middle of the Fludson river, and the 
bay surrounding all the other parts 
of the same." By the act of Assembly 
the municipal government is vested in 
seven selectmen, who are ex offcio, 
conservators o^ the peace, a president 
chosen by the board, a treasurer, se- 
cretary, city marshal, &c. The town 
is commodiously laid out into lots, 25 
feet by 100, distributed into 45 blocks, 
each 2 acres, Avith broad streets, and 
contains many good buildings. The 
whole number of dwellings may be 
200, and the iidiabitants about 1500. 
There are here, an Episcopalian 
church of wood, and a new church 
of stone being erected, and a Dutch 
Reformed church, 2 select schools, 
and an academy, owned by the pub- 



JOB 



164 



KET 



lie; the Morris Canal Banking Com- 
pany, authorized to have a capital not 
exceeding one million of dollars, of 
which, $40,000 only, have been paid 
in; 20 licensed stores, 5 taverns, a 
public garden on the bay, called the 
Thatched Cottage Garden; a wind 
mill, an extensive pottery, at which 
large quantities of delfware are made, 
in form and finish scare inferior to 
the best Liverpool ware ; a flint glass 
manufactory, employing from 80 to 
100 hands, at $750 the week wages, 
yielding an annual product of near 
$100,000, of the best plain and cut 
glass ware. Both these large manu- 
factories are conducted by incorpo- 
rated companies. There are 2 turn- 
pike roads running from this city to 
Newark, a rail-road to Paterson, and 
another through Newark to Bruns- 
wick ; and a basin in this town is pro- 
posed to be the eastern termination 
of the Morris canal, now completed 
to Newark. Three lines of stages 
run from Jersey City, to Newark, 
twice each day. Two steam-boats, 
belonging to the Associates of the 
Jersey Company, cross to New York 
every 15 minutes. This company 
was chartered in 1804, for the sole 
purpose of purchasing the place from 
Cornelius Van Vorst, the former pro- 
prietor. 

The city is a port of entry, annex- 
ed to the collection district of New 
York, together with all that part of 
the state of New Jersey, which lies 
north and east of Elizabethtown and 
Staten Island. An assistant collector 
resides at Jersey, who may enter and 
clear vessels as the collector of New 
York may do, acting in conformity, 
however, with such instructions as he 
may receive from the collector of 
New York. There is a surveyor 
also at this port. 

Jobsville, or Wilkinsville, named 
after the proprietor, Deptford t-ship, 
Gloucester co., near the mouth of 
Woodbury creek, between 3 and 4 
miles W. from Woodbury; contains 
some half dozen dwellings. 

Jobstown, p-t. of Springfield t-ship, 
on the Great Monmouth road, 6 miles 



N. E. from Mount Holly, 169 from 
W. C, and 23 S. E. from Trenton; 
contains a tavern, a store, and 8 or 
10 dwellings, surrounded by excellent 
farms. The proposed rail-road or 
Macadamized road from the mouth 
of Craft's creek to Lisbon, is designed 
to pass by this village. 

Johnsonburg, p-t. and village of 
Hardwick t-ship, Warren co.; cen- 
trally situate in the t-ship, by post 
route, 218 miles N. E. of W. C, 65 
from Trenton, and 16 from Belvidere; 
contains an Episcopal and a Presby- 
terian church, a church belonging to 
the sect of Christ-i-ans, 2 taverns, 2 
stores, many mechanic shops, a grist 
mill, and from 25 to 30 dwellings. 
The surrounding soil is of fertile lime- 
stone, and well cultivated. A small 
tributary of the Bear branch of Be- 
quest creek, flows through it, and 
gives motion to the mill of the town. 

Jones' Island, Fairfield t-ship, 
Cumberland co., formed by Cedar 
creek, Nantuxet creek, and their tri- 
butaries, and by Nantuxet Cove. 

Jugtown, small village, in a valley 
of the Musconetcong mountain, and 
on the road from Somerville to Phi- 
lipsburg, about 12 miles N. W. from 
Flemington ; contains a tavern, mill, 
ajid some half dozen dwellings. 

Juliustown, p-t. of Springfield t-sp, 
Burlington co., 6 miles N. E. of 
Mount Holly, 163 from W. C, and 
25 S. E. from Trenton; contains 1 
tavern, 2 stores, and from 20 to 30 
dweUings. A rail, or Macadamized 
road, from the mouth of Craft's creek 
to Lisbon, is designed to pass by this 
village. 

Jumping Brook, one of the sources 
of Crosswick's creek, Freehold t-ship, 
Monmouth co., which, after a west 
course of about 4 miles, unites with 
South Run, and forms the creek. It 
is a mill stream. 

Kettle Run, small tributary of 
Haines' creek, Evesham t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO., unites with the main 
stream at Taunton furnace. 

Kettle Creek, Dover t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., rises by two branches, 
north and south, which flow east, the 



KIN 



165 



KNO 



first about 6, and the second about 4 
miles. Their union forms an arm of 
Barnegat bay. There is a post-office 
in the neighbourhood, named after the 
creek, about 65 miles from Trenton. 

Kill Van Kuhl, the narrow strait 
between Staten island and the south 
shore of Bergen co., connecting New 
York bay with Newark bay, and in 
length about 5 miles. 

Kingston, p-t., on the turnpike road 
from Princeton to Brunswick, 1 3 miles 
from the latter, 180 from W. C, and 
13 from Trenton, and on the line se- 
parating South Brunswick t-ship, Mid- 
dlesex CO., from Franklin t-ship, So- 
merset CO., so that part of the town 
lies in each county, and half way be- 
tween Philadelphia and New York. 
There are here a Presbyterian church, 
an academy, 3 taverns, 4 stores, a 
large grist mill, saw mill, and woollen 
factory, driven by the Millstone river, 
which runs through the town. The 
Delaware and Raritan canal also 
passes through it, with a lock at this 
place. There are here also, about 40 
dwellings. The soil around the town 
is of sandy loam, upon red sandstone, 
fertile, and in a high state of cultiva- 
tion, and valued, in farms, at $60 the 
acre. This place was once remark- 
able for the number of stages which 
passed through it, for New York and 
Philadelphia, the passengers in which, 
commonly dined at the hotel of Mr. 
P. Withington. Before the comple- 
tion of the Bordentown and Amboy 
rail road, 49 stages, loaded with pas- 
sengers, between the two cities, have 
halted here at the same time ; when 
more than 400 harnessed horses were 
seen standing in front of the inn. Mr. 
Withington has lately made a very 
large fish pond on his lands, well 
stocked with trout, and other fish of 
the country, with which he can, at 
any time, supply his table in a few 
minutes. 

Kingwood t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded N. E. by Lebanon, S. E. by 
Amwell, W. by the Delaware river, 
and N. W. by Bethlehem t-ship. Cen- 
trally distant W. from Flemington 7 
miles; greatest length N. E. and S. 



W. 17, breadth E. and W. 7 miles; 
area, 35,312 acres ; surface, hilly and 
rolling; soil, red shale, clay, and 
loam ; in many places fertile and well 
cultivated. The tract known as the 
Great Swamp, extends on the top of 
the mountain into this t-ship, and is 
alike remarkable for its fine timber 
and extraordinary fertility. The t-p. is 
drained southwardly by the Laokatong 
creek. Baptisttown, Fairview, Dog- 
town, Charleston, and Milltown, are 
villages and hamlets of the t-ship ; at 
the first there is a post-office, and 
there is another office bearing the 
name of the t-ship. Population in 
1830, 2898. In 1832 there were in 
the t-ship 4 stores, 7 saw mills, 7 grist 
mills, and 1 oil mill, 7 distilleries, 2 
carding machines, 733 horses and 
mules, and 1347 neat cattle, above 
the age of 3 years ; and the t-ship 
paid state and county tax, $1323 75. 

Kinseyville, p-t. of Lower Penn's 
Neck t-ship, Salem co., on the Dela- 
ware river, opposite to the town of 
Newcastle, 170 miles from W. C, 
58 from Trenton, and 7 from Salem. 
It is named after James Kinsey, the 
proprietor, and contains 4 or 5 dwell- 
ings, 2 taverns, store, and ferry to 
Newcastle. 

Kirkland's Creek, through the 
salt marsh of Lodi t-ship, Bergen co.; 
near its head is a saw mill. The 
length of the creek is about 3 miles. 

Kline's Mills, post-office, Somer- 
set CO., by post route 206 miles N. 
E. from W. C, and 40 from Trenton. 

Knowlton, t-ship, Warren co., 
bounded N. by Pahaquarry t-ship, 
E. by Hardwick t-ship, S. by Oxford 
t-ship, and W. by the Delaware river. 
Centrally distant N. E. from Belvi- 
dere, 10 miles; greatest length 10 
miles, breadth 10 miles; area 44,800 
acres. The Blue mountain lies upon 
the northern boundary, and the De- 
laware makes its way through it at 
the celebrated Water Gap, at the N. 
W. point of the t-ship. The t-ship is 
every where hilly, and is said to de- 
rive its name from its knolls. It is 
centrally drained by Paulinskill, and 
its branches; on the south-east by 



KRO 



166 



LAM 



Beaver brook, and north-east by the 
Shawpocussing creek. Gravel Hill, 
Sodom, Columbia, Centreville, Hope, 
and Ramsaysburg, are villages and 
post towns of the t-ship. Population 
in 1830, 2827; taxables in 1832, 
630. There were in the t-ship, in 
1832, 132 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30, 13 pairs of 
stones for grinding grain, 7 saw mills, 
10 tan vats, 4 distilleries, 1 glass 
manufactory, 744 horses and mules, 
and 1 390 neat cattle over three years 
of age; and the t-ship paid $1300 
for t-ship use, and $1550 for state 
and county purposes. Slate and lime 
alternate throughout the t-ship; the 
hills are commonly of the one, and 
the valleys of the other. 

A slate quarry above Columbia is 
extensively wrought, from whence 
excellent roof and writing slates are 
taken. There is 1 Presbyterian and 
1 Episcopalian church in the t-ship. 

Knowlton, post town and village of 
the above t-ship, on Paulinskill, 2 
miles from its mouth, and by the post 
route 217 from W. C, 64 from Tren- 
ton, and 10 from Belvidere; contains 
1 tavern, 1 store, a large grist and 
saw mill, a clover mill, and 6 or 7 
dwellings. The country around is 
hilly, soil limestone. 

Koughstown, village, on the line 
between the t-ship of Hillsborough, 
in Somerset co., and the t-ship of 
Amwell, in Hunterdon co. 5 miles 
S. E. of Flemington, contains a ta- 
vern and some 4 or 5 dwellings. 

Koughstown, small village on the 
line dividing Hillsborough t-ship, So- 
merset CO ; from Amwell t-ship, Hun- 
terdon CO., 11 miles S. W. from 
Somerville, and 4 miles S. E. from 
Flemington ; contains a tavern, store, 
Dutch Reformed church, and several 
dwellings, pleasantly situated upon 
soil of red shale, in the valley of the 
Neshanie creek. 

Krokaevall, small mill stream of 
Saddle river t-ship, Bergen co., rising 
on the N. border, and flowing by a 
course of about 5 miles, to the Pas- 
saic river, a mile above the great 
Falls. 



Lafayette, post town of Newton 
t-ship, near the north line of the t-ship, 
on the Union Turnpike Road, distant 
by the post route 233 miles from W. 
C, 75 from Trenton, and 5 miles 
from Newton; contains 1 tavern, 1 
store, a cupola furnace, a grist mill, 
with 4 run of stones, driven by the 
Paulinskill, a Baptist church, and 
some 10 or 12 dwellings. The pre- 
vailing soil around it is limestone, in 
excellent cultivation. 

Lahaioay Creek, Upper Freehold, 
t-ship, Monmouth co., rises near the 
E. boundary, and flows S. W. about 
9 miles, to the Crosswicks creek, be- 
low Hornerstown, giving motion to 
some mills at that place and at Pros- 
pertown. 

Lake Branch, of Hospitality creek, 
an arm of the Great Egg Harbour 
river, Franklin and Hamilton t-ships, 
Gloucester co. 

Lake''s Bay, in the salt marsh, on 
the Atlantic ocean. Egg Harbour 
t-ship, Gloucester co., communicates 
by several inlets with the ocean; is 
about 3 miles long and a mile and 
a half wide. 

Lambertsville, post town of Am- 
well t-ship, Hunterdon co., 11 miles 
S. W. from Flemington, 16 N. from 
Trenton, and 170 from W. C. ; a 
thi'iving, pleasant village, on the bank 
of the Delaware river, opposite to the 
town of New Hope, containing 1 
Baptist and 1 Presbyterian church, 
2 schools, one of which is a boarding 
school, under the care of the Rev. 
Mr. Studdiford, and more than 30 
dwellings, many of which are neat 
and commodious. A turnpike road 
I'uns from the town to New Bruns- 
wick, and a fine bridge is thrown 
over the river by a joint stock com- 
pany, with a capital of $160,000, in- 
corporated in 1812, by the Legisla- 
tures of Pennsylvania and New Jer- 
sey; built in 1814. It is supported 
on 9 stone piers; length between the 
abutments 1050 feet, width 33 feet, 
elevation above the water 21 feet; 
roofed. The company for some time 
employed a portion of its capital in 
banking operations. 



LAW 



167 



LEB 



Lamington River, tributary of the 
north branch of the Raritan, rises in 
Duck pond, Roxbury t-ship, Morris 
CO., and flows thence by a S. W. and 
S. course of 84 miles, uniting with its 
recipient in Bedminster t-ship, Somer- 
set CO. It is a large and rapid mill 
stream, on which there are many 
mills, particularly at Potter's Falls ; in 
the north part of its course it bears 
the name of Black river. 

Lamington, village of Bedminster 
t-ship, Somerset co., on the road from 
Somerville to Philipsburg, 10 miles 
N. W. of the former; contains a 
Presbyterian church, a tavern, and 
3 or 4 dwellings, situate in a pleasant 
fertile country. 

Landing Creek, Galloway t-ship, 
Gloucester co., rises on the S. W. 
line of the t-ship, and flows about 9 
miles eastwardly, to the Little Egg 
Harbour river; Gloucester furnace 
lies upon it. It has two branches, 
Indian Cabin branch, and Elisha's 
creek. 

Laokatong Creek, a fine mill 
stream of Kingwood t-ship, Hunter- 
don CO., rises in the t-ship and flows 
S. W. 10 or 12 miles into the river 
Delaware; it gives motion in its 
course to several mills. 

Lawrenceville, Knowlton t-ship, 
Warren co., on both banks of the 
Paulinskill, 15 miles N. E. of Belvi- 
dere, and 3 miles W. of Marksboro' ; 
contains a store and tavern, and 10 
or 12 scattering dwellings. The 
country around it is hilly; the soil 
slate on the left, and limestone on the 
i right side of the creek. 

Laiorence t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded N. W. by Hopewell, N. E. 
I by Montgomery t-ship, Somerset co., 
\ and West Windsor t-ship, Monmouth 
* CO., S. E. by Nottingham t-ship, of 
! Burlington co., and S. W. by Tren- 

■ ton t-ship. Centrally distant from 

■ Trenton N. E. 6 miles ; greatest 
; length 8, breadth 6 miles; area, by 
; assessor's return, 13,093 acres; sur- 
! face, rolling ; soil, loam and clay, 

■ generally well cultivated ; drained 
' southward by some branches of the 

Assunpink creek, and northward by 



Stony brook: Lawrenceville is the 
post-town, and only village of the 
t-ship. Population in 1330, 1430. 
In 1832, there were in the t-ship 1 
store, 2 saw mills, 3 grist mills, 8 tan 
vats, 339 horses and mules, and 710 
neat cattle, above the age of 3 years ; 
and it paid poor tax, $500 ; road tax, 
$400 ; state and county tax, $726 80. 
Two turnpike roads from Trenton to 
Brunswick run north-easterly through 
the t-ship, one of which leads by 
Princeton. 

Lawrenceville, post-town of Law- 
rence t-ship, Hunterdon co., 6 miles 
N. E. from Trenton, 18 S. E. from 
Flemington, 172 from W. C, situate 
on a level and fertile plain, well cul- 
tivated in grain and grass, and con- 
tains 1 Presbyterian church, 1 tavern, 
1 store, a flourishing boarding school 
and academy, under the care of Mr. 
Philips. 

Lawrenceville, town of Hardwick 
t-ship, Warren co., near the western 
t-ship line, 82 miles N. E. from 
Trenton, and 15 from Belvidere. 

Lawrence'' s Brook, rises in South 
Brunswick t-ship, Middlesex co., and 
flows N. E. through New Brunswick 
t-ship, by a course of about 12 miles 
to the Raritan river, near 3 miles be- 
low New Brunswick. 

Leaming^s, or Seven Mile Beach, 
Middle t-ship. Cape May co., extend- 
ing from Townsend's inlet to Hereford 
inlet, having an average width of half 
a mile. 

Lebanon Branch, of Maurice river, 
rises in Deerfield t-ship, Cumberland 
CO., and flows eastwardly to the river, 
about 2 miles above the town of 
Milleville; it is a mill stream, and 
has a tributary called Chatfield run. 

Lebanon t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded N. E. by Washington t-ship, 
Morris co., E. by Readington and 
Tewkesbury t-ships, S. by Kingwood 
t-ship, W. by Bethlehem, N. W. by 
Musconetcong creek, which divides it 
from Mansfield t-ship, Warren co. 
Greatest length N. and S. 15 miles; 
breadth E. and W. 7 miles; area, 
42,000 acres; surface mountainous, 
and generally hilly; soil, clay and 



LEE 



168 



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loam on the hills, with grey limestone 
in the valleys ; in parts rich and well 
cultivated. The Musconetcong moun- 
tain and its spurs cover the greater 
part of the northern part, and there 
are some high hills on the S. E., en- 
circling Round Valley. It is drained 
by Spruce run and the south branch 
of Raritan river, the latter forming 
part of the eastern and the south- 
eastern boundary, and crossing the 
t-ship from Morris county. The 
turnpike road from Somerville to Phi- 
lipsburg, runs westerly through the 
township, by the towns of Lebanon 
and Clinton. New Hampton and 
Sodom, or Clarkesville, are post- 
towns of the t-ship. Population in 
1830, 3436. The t-ship contained 
in 1832, 13 saw mills, 16 grist mills, 
2 oil mills, 87 tan vats, 1 distillery 
for grain, 11 distilleries for cider, 2 
carding machines, 2 fulling mills, 
886 horses, and 1540 neat cattle, 
above the age of 3 years; and it paid 
poor tax, $1100 ; road tax, 800 ; and 
county and state tax, $1585 36. 

Lebanon, post-town of Lebanon 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., centrally situ- 
ated, upon the turnpike road leading 
from Somerville to Philipsburg; 11 
miles N. of Flemington, 47 from 
Trenton, and 211 from W. C. ; con- 
tains 1 tavern, 1 store, and several 
dwellings. There is a Dutch Re- 
formed church in the neighbour- 
hood. 

Leed^s Point, post-town, Galloway 
t-ship, Gloucester co., 44 miles S. E. 
from Woodbury, 83 from Trenton, 
and 191 N. E. from W. C. ; contains 
a store, tavern, and some 4 or 5 
houses. 

Leesburg, village of Maurice River 
t-ship, Cumberland co., on the left 
bank of Maurice river, about 5 miles 
from its mouth, and 20 S. E. of 
Bridgetown; contains 15 or 20 houses, 
1 store, 1 tavern, and a Methodist 
church. There is a considerable 
quantity of ship building here, such 
as sloops, schooners, &c., and much 
trade in lumber and wood. The soil 
in the village and country immedi- 
ately around, is very productive ; it 



is one of the oldest settlements upon 
the river. 

Libertyville, p-t., of Wantage t-sp, 
Sussex CO., on the turnpike road lead- 
ing to Milford, Pennsylvania, about 
3 miles E. of the Blue mountain. 

Liberty Corner, p-t., Bernard t-sp, 
Somerset co., 7 miles N. E. of Somer- 
ville, 209 from W. C, and 43 from 
Trenton, near Harrison's brook ; con- 
tains a tavern, store, and about 20 
dwellings, inhabited by intelligent, 
respectable families, in a fertile and 
well cultivated valley. 

Lion Pond, a source of Lubber 
run, Byram t-ship, Sussex co., lying 
near the centre of the t-ship. 

Lisbon, small village of Hanover 
t-ship, Burlington co., in the forks of 
the Slab Bridge branch, and the north 
branch of the Rancocus creek ; con- 
tains a grist mill, saw mill, store, ta- 
vern, and 10 or 12 dwellings. A rail- 
road or Macadamized road, is about 
to be made from this village to the 
mouth of Craft's creek, upon the De- 
laware, about 15 miles, in order to 
bring to market a quantity of excel- 
lent pine wood, which grows in the 
vicinity. 

Little Beach, BurHngton co., Lit- 
tle Egg Harbour t-ship, between Lit- 
tle Egg Harbour, New Inlet, and Old 
Brigantine Inlet. 

Little Ease, village of Franklin 
t-ship, Gloucester co., 20 miles S. E. . 
of Woodbury, upon the head waters 
of Maurice river ; contains a tavern, 
store, saw mill, and some half dozen 
dwellings ; soil, sandy. 

Little Egg Harbour River. (See 
Egg Harbour River, Little.) 

Little Falls, of the Passaic, name 
of the manufacturing village and post- '' 
town which has grown up here ; (See^ 
article Passaic) and which contains, 
on the right bank of the creek, 2 saw, 
and 1 grist mill, 2 cotton mills, one- 
of a thousand, and another of fourteen' 
hundred spindles, a turning mill, a 
woollen carpet manufactory, 4 stores, 
3 taverns, a school house, used alsa 
as a church, and 47 dwellings. On 
the left bank there is a saw mill and 
turning mill. This is an admirable 



LIV 



169 



LOD 



position for mill works of all kinds. 
The whole river may be used under 
a head of 33 feet, 10 of which only are 
now employed to drive the few works 
above named, and which would give 
motion to a much larger quantity. 
The proprietors of this desirable site, 
Messrs. Ezekiel and Isaac Miller, and 
the heirs of Samuel Bridges, offer 
mill seats for sale on very advanta- 
geous terms, and the rights of the 
former gentlemen to the right bank, 
with half the water power, have been 
holden at $50,000 only. The place 
from its elevation is very healthy; land 
in the neighbourhood sells at from 
30 to 60 dollars the acre, and town 
lots, 100 feet deep, at 2 dollars the foot, 
front, in fee simple. The town is 
226 miles N. E. from W. C, 60 from 
Trenton, 10 from Newark, 4 from 
Paterson, and 5^ from Acquacka- 
nonck Landing. It has also the ad- 
vantage of the Morris canal, which 
crosses the river by an aqueduct be- 
low the falls. 

Lamherton. See Trenton. 

Little Pond, a small basin of wa- 
ter in Newton t-ship, Sussex co., 
distant about 4 miles west of the town 
of Newton, which supplies, in part, a 
small tributary of Paulinskill. 

Little Pond, on the sea shore, 
Shrewsbury t-ship, Monmouth co., 
about 3 miles north of the south boun- 
dary of the t-ship. 

Little X Roads, p-t., Bedminster 
t-ship, Somerset co., 9 miles N. W. 
from Somerville, 209 from W. C, 
and 43 from Trenton ; contains a 
tavern, store, and 5 or 6 dwellings, 
in the valley of the north branch of 
the Raritan. 

Littletown, p-t., Hanover t-ship, 
Morris co., on the turnpike road from 
Newark to Milford, 5 miles north of 
Morristown, 224 from W. C, and 59 
.from Trenton; contains 1 tavern, 1 
store, and 4 or 5 dwellings. 

Livingston, t-ship, Essex co., 
bounded N. by Caldwell, E. by 
Orange, S. by Springfield, and W. 
by the Passaic river, which divides it 
from Morris co. Centrally distant, 
N. W. from Newark, 9 miles ; great- 



est length, N. and S. 5 miles ; breadth 
E. and W. 44 miles, area 13,000 
acres; surface on the east, moun- 
tainous, elsewhere rolling, except 
near the river, where it is level. It 
is drained on the N. by the Black 
Rock Meadow brook, and on the S. 
by Canoe creek, which flow to the 
Passaic by short courses, not exceed- 
ing three miles. Towns, Centreville, 
Livingston, post-town, Northfield, 
Squiretown, and Cheapside. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 1150. In 1832, the 
t-ship contained 200 taxables, 65 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 ; 52 single men, 5 mer- 
chants, 1 saw mill, 1 woollen factory, 
166 horses and mules, and 637 neat 
cattle under three years of age; and 
it paid state tax, $120 03; county 
tax, $314 04; poor tax, $350; and 
road tax, $525. 

Livingston, small village, and post 
town of preceding t-ship, on the turn- 
pike road from Newark to Dover, 10 
miles N. W. from the former, 225 
N. E. from W. C, and 59 from Tren- 
ton; contains a tavern, store, and 
some 8 or 10 dwellings. 

Lockivood, forge and post-office; 
on Lubber run, Byram t-ship, Sussex 
CO. ; distant by post route 224 miles 
from W. C, 61 from Trenton, and 
9 south fi'om Newton. 

Lodi, t-ship, Bergen co., bounded 
N. by New Barbadoes t-ship, E. and 
S. E. by Hackensack river, which 
separates it from Bergen t-ship, and 
W. and S. W. by the Passaic river, 
dividing it from Essex co. Central- 
ly distant, S. W. from Hackensack- 
town, 5 miles. Greatest length 10, 
greatest breadth E. and W. 5 miles; 
area 22,000 acres; surface level. 
More than half the t-ship consists of 
salt marsh and cedar swamp. On 
the N. E. there are about 4000 acres 
of arable land, and on the west a 
strip running the whole length of the 
t-ship, and varying from 1 to 2 miles 
in width. These are of red shale, 
with a margin of alluvial, on the Pas- 
saic, well cultivated, and productive. 
Along -the latter river are strewed 
many handsome country seats, and 



>!•;'%■ 



LON 



170 



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about a mile S. E. of Belleville lies 
the well known Schuyler copper mine. 
Population of t-ship, in 1830, 1356. 
In 1832 it contained 527 taxables, 
57 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30; 21 single men, 1 
store, 5 grist mills, 4 saw mills, 2 
toll bridges, and 291 horses and 
mules, and 931 neat cattle, above the 
age of 3 years. And it paid state 
tax, $208 87 ; county $427 69 ; poor, 
$400 ; road, $500. There are seve- 
ral creeks through the marsh, such 
as Berry's, Kirkland's, and Saw-mill 
creeks. 

Logtown, small hamlet of Lower 
Alio way's creek t-ship, Salem co., 
7 miles S. of Salem-town, and 2 from 
Hancock's bridge. 

Logansville, 6 miles S. W. of 
Morristown, Morris t-ship, Morris co., 
a fine settlement on Primrose creek, 
called after the owner, who has a 
large estate here. 

Logtown, on Mine mountain, Ber- 
nard t-ship, Somerset co., at the head 
of Mine brook, 12 miles N. of So- 
merville, contains a mill and 3 or 4 
dwellings. 

Loiigacoming, p-t. of Glouces- 
ter CO., on the line dividing the 
t-ship of Gloucester and Waterford, 
14 miles S. E. from Woodbury, 45 
from Trenton, and 153 N. E. from 
Washington; surrounded by pine fo- 
rest, soil sandy, and naturally barren, 
but improving by the application of 
marl. The village contains from 20 
to 30 dwellings, 2 taverns, 2 stores, 
and a Methodist church. 

Long Beach, upon the Atlantic 
ocean, Stafford t-ship, Monmouth co., 
extending about 11 miles from the 
inlet to Little Egg Harbour bay, to 
Barnegat inlet. There are several 
houses on this beach, one of which 
was erected by a Philadelphia com- 
pany, for the accommodation of them- 
selves and friends in sea-bathing. 

Long Branch, mill stream and tri- 
butary of Shrewsbury river, Shrews- 
bury t-ship, Monmouth co. ; has a 
course of about 4 miles N.W. There 
is a small village of 12 or 15 houses, 
1 tavern, and 2 stores, east of this 



stream, and between it and the At- 
lantic, to which the name of Long 
Branch is given. 

Long Branch, well known and 
much frequented sea-bathing place, 
on the Atlantic ocean, 75 miles from 
Philadelphia, and 45 from New York, 
in Shrewsbury t-ship, and Monmouth 
CO., which has its name from the 
stream and hamlet above. The in- 
ducements to the invalid, the idle, and 
the hunters of pleasure, to spend a 
portion of the hot season here, are 
many. Good accommodations, oblig- 
ing hosts, a clean and high shore, 
with a gently shelving beach, a fine 
prospect seaward, enlivened by the 
countless vessels passing to and from 
New York, excellent fishing on the 
banks, 3 or 4 miles at sea, good gun- 
ning, and the great attraction of all 
watering places, much, and changing 
and fashionable company. During 
the season, a regular line of stages 
runs from Philadelphia, and a steam- 
boat from New York, to the boarding 
houses here, of which there are seve- 
ral ; Warden's, Renshaw's, and Sear's 
are the most frequented. Many re- 
spectable farmers also receive board- 
ers, who, in the quiet of rural life, 
enjoy in comfort and ease, their sea- 
son of relaxation^ perhaps more fully 
than those at the public hotels. Along , 
the beach at Long Branch is a strip 
of fertile black sand, several miles in 
length, and exceeding more than a 
mile in width. 'The land adjacent to 
the ocean rises perpendicularly from 
the beach, near 20 feet. The board- 
ing houses are 20 rods from the water, 
with lawns in the intermediate space. 
The high banks are formed by strata 
of sand, clay, and sea mud. 

Long Bridge, over Pequest creek, 
Independence t-ship, Union co., at the 
head of the Great Meadows, 16 miles 
N. E. from Belvidere. There is a 
hamlet here of 6 or 8 dwellings, and 
the neighbourhood is settled by mem- 
bers of the society of Friends, who 
have a meeting house within 2 miles 
of the Bridge. The soil of the vici- 
nity is limestone, naturally fertile, 
and susceptible of improvement, as 



LOW 



171 



MAN 



may be supposed from the character 
of its cultivators ; for "Friends" of all 
vanities, dislike most, vain labour. 

Long Pond, a small sheet of water 
in the Blue mountains, in Walpack 
t-ship, Sussex co., whence Vancanip 
creek has its source. 

Long Pond, Frankford t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO., at the east foot of the Blue 
mountain, the extreme S. W. source 
of the W. branch of Paulinskill. 

Lojig Pond, Newton t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO., five miles S. E. of Newton. 

Long Pond, or Greenwood Lake, 
crosses the state boundary from 
Orange co., New York, into Pomp- 
' ton t-ship, Bergen co. ; it is about 4^ 
miles long by near a mile wide, but 
only a mile of its length is within 
this state. It sends forth a stream 
called Long Pond river, which emp- 
ties into Ringwood river, near Board- 
ville. 

Long Pond, Shrewsbury t-ship, 

Monmouth co., upon the sea-shore, 6 

miles S. of Long Branch Boarding 

Houses, communicates with the sea 

: by a narrow inlet. 

Longwood Valley, Jefferson t-ship, 
Morris co., lying between the Ham- 
burg and Greenpond mountains, ex- 
tending longitudinally N. E. and S. 
W. about 10 miles; narrow, deep, 
and stony, with soil not very fertile ; 
it is drained S. W. by a principal 
branch of the Rockaway river, on 
which are several forges for making 
iron, the ore and fuel for which are 
" supplied abundantly by the adjacent 
hills ; Berkshire Valley is the name 
given to the S. W. portion of this 
vale. The scenery here is wild, rude, 
and picturesque. Newfoundland is 
the post-office of Longwood Valley. 
.. Lopatcong Creek, rises in the 
southern part of Oxford t-ship, Warren 
CO., and flows thence by a S. W. 
course of 9 or 10 miles through 
Greenwich t-ship, to the river Dela- 
ware, 3 or 4 miles below Philipsburg, 
giving motion to several mills in its 
course, and draining a fertile valley 
of primitive limestone. 

Lower t-ship, Cape May co., bound- 
ed N. by Middle t-ship, E. and S. by 



the Atlantic ocean, and W. by the 
Delaware bay. It is the most south- 
ern t-ship of the state, nearly one- 
half consists of sea beach and salt 
mai'sh, and the remainder of clay, co- 
vered with oak forest. Centrally 
distant from Cape May Court House, 
S. 9 miles; length N. and S. 8, 
breadth 8 miles; area, 21,000 acres, 
Pond creek, New England creek, and 
Cox Hall creek, are short streams, 
which flow westerly into the Dela- 
ware bay. Cape May, Cape May 
island, and the Cape May light-house, 
are in the t-sliip. Population in 
1830, 995. In 1832, there were in 
the t-ship about 200 taxables, 91 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 ; 3 grist mills, 7 stores, 
136 horses, 380 neat cattle, over 3 
years of age; it paid t-ship tax, 
851 92; state tax, §129; county 
tax, $399 38. 

Lvdlam^s Beach, extends upon 
the ocean about 6 miles from Car- 
son's to Townsend's inlet, partly in 
Middle, and partly in Dennis t-ship, 
Cape May co. 

Lumberton, town of Northampton 
t-ship, Burlington co., on the south 
branch of Rancocus creek, 3 miles 
S. W. from Mount Holly ; contains 
2 stores, 2 taverns, a steel furnace, 
and from 25 to 30 dwellings, sur- 
rounded by very good farms. 

Mackepin Pond, Pompton t-ship, 
Bergen co., about 2 miles in length, 
by half a mile in breadth ; lies among 
the mountains, and sends forth a 
small tributary to the Pequannock 
creek. 

Malaga, p-t. of Franklin t-ship, 
Gloucester co., 23 miles S. E. from 
Woodbury, at the angle of junction 
of Salem, Cumberland and Glouces- 
ter counties ; on the head waters of 
Maurice river, 58 miles S. from 
Trenton, and N. E. 164 from W. C. ; 
contains 1 tavern, 2 stores, a glass 
manufactory, employed on window 
glass, 30 dwellings and a grist mill. 

Mamapaque Brook, an arm of the 
south branch of Toms' river, Dover 
t-ship, Monmouth co. 

Manahocking River, Stafford 



MAN 



172 



MAN 



t-ship, Monmouth cc, flows S. E. 
about 9 miles into Little Egg Harbour 
bay, giving motion to a mill, at the 
town of Manahocking. 

Manahocking, p-t. of Stafford 
t-ship, Monmouth co., 38 miles S. E. 
of Freehold, 73 from Trenton, and 
197 N. E. from W. C, upon the 
creek of the same name, about 4 
miles from Little Egg Harbour bay, 
contains a saw and grist mill, 2 ta- 
verns, several stores, and from 20 
to 30 dwellings, a Friends' meeting 
house, a Baptist and a Methodist 
church. Thei-e is a considerable 
trade carried on here in wood and 
lumber, and cedar rails, supplied by 
the swamps of the neighbourhood. 

Manalapaii Brook, or South Ri- 
ver, rises in Upper Freehold t-ship, 
Monmouth co., near Paint Island 
spring, and flows by a devious, but 
generally, N. E. course, through 
South Amboy t-ship, (forming in 
part the line between it and South 
Brunswick) a distance of about 28 
or 30 miles, to the Raritan river, 
about 4 miles below New Brunswick, 
receiving from the south, several 
considerable tributaries. When the 
passage to New York was made by 
the town of Washington on this river, 
a canal, of about a mile in length, 
was cut through the marshes, that by 
turning the river into it the steam-boat 
might avoid some detours of the Ra- 
ritan, and shorten her course. The 
project, we believe, was not success- 
fully executed. 

Manaway Creek, Milleville t-ship, 
Cumberland co., a tributary of Mau- 
rice river. 

Manantico Creek, a considerable 
branch of Maurice river, rising near 
the S. W. border of Gloucester co., 
and flowing S. W. about 14 miles, 
uniting with the river about two miles 
above Port Elizabeth ; it turns seve- 
ral mills ; it receives two tributaries, 
Berryman's and Panther branches. 

Manasquan River, mill stream of 
Monmouth co., rises by several small 
branches in Freehold t-ship, which 
unite on the boundary line between 
Freehold and Howell townships; 



thence the river flows by a S. E. di- 
rection 18 miles through the latter 
township to the ocean, by Manas- 
quan inlet. The tide water of the 
river, about 3 miles above the mouth, 
is crossed by Squan bridge. 

Mannington t-ship, Salem co., 
bounded N. by Salem river, which 
divides it from Upper Penn's Neck 
creek, and Pilesgrove township, E. 
by Pilesgrove, S. by Upper AUoways 
township, and Salem township, and 
W. by Salem river, which here sepa- 
rates it from Lower Penn's Neck 
township. Centrally distant N. E. 
from Salem, 6 miles; length N. and 
S. 9 ; breadth E. and W. 8 miles ; 
area, about 90,000 acres, of which 
more than 18,000 are improved; sur- 
face, level; soil, heavy rich loam-, well 
cultivated in Avheat and grass. The 
township is drained by Salem river, 
bounding it on the N. and W. and 
by Mannington creek, which has its 
whole course within it, and is a tri- 
butary of the former. Near the vil- 
lage of Mannington Hill, which is 
the post-town of the township, is a 
noted nursery of fruit and ornamental 
trees, planted by Mr. Samuel Reeves, 
who sold from it during the year 
1832, 15,000 peach trees alone. The 
poor-house of the county lies near the 
eastern line of the township, in which 
from 80 to 120 paupers are annually 
relieved. Population, in 1830, 1726. 
In 1832, there were in the township 
1 Methodist and 1 Baptist church, . 
1 02 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30 ; 1 store, 2 distilleries, 
353 taxable inhabitants ; and the 
township paid for township pur- 
poses, $1000; for county purposes, 
il085 34 ; and state tax, $339 64. 

Mannington Hill, p-t., and small 
village of Mannington t-ship, Salem 
CO. Centrally situate in the town- 
ship, upon Mannington creek. It 
contains 6 or 8 houses and a store. 
It is about 175 miles from W. C, 60 
from Trenton, and 5 N. E. of Salem. 

Mannington Creek, a small tribu- 
tary of Salem river, which rising on 
the S. W. border of Mannington 
township, Salem county, flows west- 



MAN 



173 



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erly by a meandering course of 8 
miles to its recipient. It is not a mill 
stream, but along its banks are some 
valuable meadows. 

Mansfield t-ship, Warren co., 
bounded N. E. by Independence, S. 
E. by the Musconetcong river, which 
separates it from Morris and Hunter- 
don COS., S. W. by Greenwich t-ship, 
and N. W. by Oxford t-ship. Cen- 
trally distant from Belvidere, the 
county town, 9 miles ; greatest length 
on the river 15 miles; breadth 6^ 
miles; area, 33,000 acres; surface, 
mountainous; drained by the Mus- 
conetcong and Pohatcong creeks, 
which, divided by a chain of lofty 
hills, run parallel to each other, but 
at a distance of nearly 4 miles apart. 
There is a mineral spring, a chaly- 
beate, in the S. W. part of the t-ship, 
much frequented. Population in 1830, 
3303. In 1832 there were 800 taxa- 
bles, 169 householders, whose ratable 
estates did not exceed $30 ; 11 stores, 
12 pairs of stones for grinding grain, 
8 carding machines, 5 saw mills, 1 
furnace, 1 fulling mill, 36 tan vats, 7 
distilleries, 862 horses and mules, 
and 1407 neat cattle in the t-ship; 
and the t-ship paid $1200 road and 
poor tax; and $1659 42 state and 
county tax. The Morris canal winds 
throueh the hills the whole length of 
the t-ship. This is one of the richest 
t-ships of the state, having a large 
proportion of valley land underlaid 
with limestone. Large quantities of 
wheat are raised, and some farmers 
sell as many as 3000 bushels annu- 
ally. Iron ore abounds in the hills, 
and silver is said to have been dis- 
covered near the spring, but most 
probably this is iron pyrites. 

Mansfield, small village of Mans- 
field t-ship, Burlington co. ; centrally 
situated in the t-ship 8 miles N. of 
Mount Holly, and 4 miles S. of Bor- 
. dentown ; contains a Friends' meeting 
house and 4 or 5 dwellings. 

Mansfield or Washington, p-t. of 
Mansfield t-ship, Warren co., founded 
in 1811, on the turnpike road leading 
from Philipsburg to Schooley's moun- 
tain ; by the post route 202 miles from 



W. C.,and 46 from Trenton, and ^ 
miles S. E. of Belvidere, the county 
town, 30 from Morristown, 12 from 
Easton, and 3 miles from Musconet- 
cong creek; contains 1 tavern, 2 
stores, from 35 to 40 dwellings, 1 
Methodist and 1 Presbyterian church, 
and 1 school. Iron ore abounds in 
Scott's mountain north of the village. 
Around the town the soil is limestone, 
fertile and well cultivated, and valued 
at from 20 to 50 dollars the acre. 
The town is supplied with excellent 
water from a spring on the south, 
which is distributed by 4 public foun- 
tains. 

Mansfield t-ship, Burlington co., 
bounded N. E. by Chesterfield t-ship, 
S. by Springfield, W. by Burlington 
t-ship, and N. W. by the river Dela- 
ware. Centrally distant from Mount 
Holly N. 7 miles ; greatest length E. 
and W. 10 miles; breadth N. and S. 
6| miles; area, about 21,000 acres; 
surface, level; soil, various, sand, 
loam, and clay ; generally well cul- 
tivated, and productive. It is drained 
north-westerly by Black's, Crafi;'s, 
and Assiscunk creeks, all of which 
flow to the Delaware river. Along 
the river are some noted clay banks, 
from which clay is taken for the ma- 
nufacture of fire bricks, and for other 
purposes requiring great resistance 
to heat. The towns are White Hill, 
Georgetown, Mansfield, Bustletown, 
Columbus or Black Horse, the last 
of which is a post-town. Population 
in 1830, 2083. In 1832 the t-ship 
contained 432 taxables, 216 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not ex- 
ceed $30; 65 single men, 1390 neat 
cattle, and 548 horses and mules, 
above 3 years old, 4 stores, 2 saw 
mills, 3 grist mills, 1 fishery, 1 fur- 
nace, 1 fulling mill, 31 tan vats, 1 
carding machine, 5 distilleries of 
cider, 4 coaches and chariots, 3 phae- 
tons and chaises, 49 dearborns, and 
84 covered wagons, 3 chairs and 
curricles, and 18 gigs and sulkies; 
and it paid state tax, $345 88; 
county tax, $1212 38; and t-ship 
tax, $1100. 

Mantua Creek, Gloucester co., 



MAR 



174 



MAT 



rises on, and forms the line between 
Deptford and Greenwich t-ships, and 
flows N. W. by a course of 15 miles 
to the Delaware river, above Maiden 
island. It is navigable for sloops 7 
or 8 miles to Carpenter's Landing, 
above which it gives motion to seve- 
ral mills. 

Maple Island CreeJc, sets in from 
Newark bay about 1^ or 2 miles into 
the salt marsh, on the S. E. of New- 
arktown. 

Mapletown, hamlet on Millstone 
river, a short distance above the 
mouth of Stony Brook, 2 miles S. E. 
of Princeton, 15 from New Bruns- 
wick; contains a fine grist and saw 
mill, and fulling mill, and 4 or 5 
dwellings. North of the hamlet on 
the river, are some excellent quarries 
of freestone; a fine grey, with por- 
tions of red, standstone, streaked with 
small veins of quartz. It works well 
under the hammer, and has been used 
in the erection of the locks of the De- 
laware and Raritan canal. 

Mare Run, small tributary of the 
Great Egg Harbour river, flowing 
from the west to its recipient, in Ha- 
milton t-ship, Gloucester co., about 
.3 miles above May's Landing. 

MarTcshoro\ p-t. and village of 
Hardwick t-ship, Warren co.; cen- 
trally situate in the t-ship, and by 
post route distant from W. C. 240, 
from Trenton 82, from Belvidere 15 
miles, 10 from Newton, and 12 from 
■Columbia, and on the south bank of 
the Paulinskill ; contains a Presbyte- 
rian church, a grist mill, a cotton 
manufactory making 1500 lbs. of 
yarn per week, a clover mill, 1 law- 
yer, 1 physician, and about 20 dwell- 
ings. The town itself lies on a slate 
ridge, which is fertile and well culti- 
vated, but the soil on the north side 
of the creek is secondary limestone; 
the most valuable slate lands rate, 
at about $30, and the lime, at about 
$40 the acre. The celebrated White 
Pcmd lies about 1 mile north of the 
town. Its shores and bottom are 
covered with vast quantities of snail 
shells, and its waters afford abun- 
dance of white perch and other fish. 



Marshs'hog, town of Howell t-ship, 
Monmouth co., 9 miles S. E. of Free- 
hold ; contains 2 taverns, 2 stores, 
and 10 or 12 dwellings ; the surround- 
ing country is sterile, but there is 
considerable business done in the vil- 
lage. 

Marshallville, or Cumberland 
Works, on Tuckahoe creek, Maurice 
Creek t-ship, Cumberland co., at the 
eastern extremity of the co., 28 miles 
S. E. of Bridgeton; contains from 
30 to 40 houses, some extensive glass 
works belonging to Randall Marshall, 
Esq., at which much window glass is 
manufactured, 1 tavern, and 2 stores. 
There is much ship building carried 
on here in vessels of from 50 to 100 
tons; soil, sandy. 

Martha Furnace, Washington 
t-ship, Burlington co., on the Oswego 
branch of Wading river, about 4 
miles above the head of navigation; 
there are here also a grist and saw 
mill. The furnace makes about 750 
tons of iron castings annually, and 
employs about 60 hands, who, with 
their families, make a population of 
near 400 souls, requiring from 40 to 
50 dwellings; there are about 30,000 
acres of land appurtenant to these 
works. 

Martinsville post-oflSce, Somerset 
CO., 203 miles N. E. from W. C, 
and 37 from Trenton. 

Matchaponix Brook, fine mill 
stream, which has its source in Up- 
per Freehold t-ship, Monmouth co., 
and flows about 10 miles N. W. by 
Englishtown, through South Amboy 
t-ship, to its recipient, the South river, 
near Spotswood. 

Matouchin, p-t. of Woodbridge 
t-ship, Middlesex co., at the intersec- 
tion of the turnpike roads leading, 
one from New Brunswick to Eliza- 
bethtown, and the other from Perth 
Amboy towards Bound Brook, 5 
miles from New Brunswick, 6 miles 
from Perth Amboy, 31 from Tren- 
ton, and 198 from W. C. ; contains 
a Presbyterian church, store, 2 ta- 
verns, and 10 or 12 dwellings, sur- 
rounded by a fertile country of red 
shale. 



MAU 



175 



MED 



Mattison's Comer, post-office Hun- 
terdon CO., by post-route 185 miles 
from W. C, and 26 from Trenton. 

Mauricetown, p-t. on Maurice ri- 
ver, 10 or 12 miles from its mouth, 
87 miles S. of Trenton, 18 from 
Bridgeton, and 184 from W. C. ; 
contains some 20 dwellings, store, 
tavern, an academy, and Methodist 
church. The town is handsomely 
situated upon a high belt of rich land, 
and some of the dwellings are of 
brick, very neat and pleasant, and 
surrounded by valuable meadows. 

Maurice River t-ship, Cumberland 
CO., bounded N. by Hamilton t-ship, 
Gloucester co., E. by Weymouth 
t-ship, of same co., S. by Upper and 
Dennis t-ships, of Cape May co., and 
by the Delaware bay, and W. by 
Maurice river, from its source to its 
mouth, separating it from Downc and 
Milleville t-ships, Cumberland co. 
Centrally distant S. E. from Bridge- 
ton, 20 miles; greatest length 19, 
breadth 11 miles ; area, 79,360 acres ; 
surface, level ; soil, generally sandy 
except along the margin of the 
creeks, where loam and clay prevail. 
It is drained E. by Tuckahoe creek 
and its tributaries, and S. by Tarkill 
creek. Population in 1830, 2724. 
In 1832, there were in the t-ship 525 
taxables, 117 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 ; 11 
stores, 6 pairs of stones for grinding 
grain, 1 blast furnace and forge, 
6 saw mills, 2 glass manufactories, 1 
at Port Elizabeth, and the other at 
Marshallvillc, or Cumberland Works, 
295 horses, and 1810 neat cattle, 
above 3 years old; there are some 
very valuable meadows on Maurice 
river, commencing 5 miles from the 
mouth, and extending nearly to 
Milleville, 15 miles. Port Elizabeth, 
Bricksboro', Dorchester, Leesburg, 
and Marshallvillc, are villages of the 
t-ship ; all, except the last, upon or 
near the east bank of Maurice river, 
and the last upon Tuckahoe creek. 

Maurice River, Prince, rises by 
several small branches in Deptford 
and Franklin t-ships, Gloucester co., 
which uniting above Fork Bridge on 



the line between the S. E. boundary 
of Salem co. and Cumberland co., 
form a considerable stream, which 
there gives motion to several mills. 
About 8 miles below this point, the 
river receives from Salem co. a large 
tributary, called Muddy run, above 
the head of the dam of the Milleville 
works. From this dam, which checks 
the whole river, a canal of near 
3 miles in length, supplies the works 
at Milleville. From this town the ri- 
ver is navigable for 20 miles to the 
bay, for vessels of 80 or 100 tons, 
and to within 5 miles of its mouth, its 
shores are lined with valuable em- 
banked meadoAvs. It receives in its 
course a number of considerable tri- 
butaries, on either hand. The oys- 
ters taken at the mouth of this river, 
are famed for their excellent quality. 

MauVs Bridge, over the Maurice 
river, between Salem and Cumber- 
land counties. 

May''s Landing, p-t. of Hamilton 
t-ship, Gloucester CO., upon the Great 
Egg Harbour river, at the head of 
sloop navigation, 16 miles from the 
sea, 35 miles S. E. from Woodbury, 
73 from Trenton, and 181 N. E. 
from W. C. ; built on both sides of the 
river, including the village of Hamil- 
ton, and contains 3 taverns, 4 stores, 
a Methodist church, and 25 or 30 
dwellings ; a considerable trade in 
cord-wood, lumber, and ship building, 
is carried on at this place. 

Mead^s Basin, post-office, Bergen 
CO., 240 miles from W. C, and 74 
from Trenton, N. E. 

Meekendam Creek, small tributary 
of Little Egg Harbour river, uniting 
with it about 4 miles below Pleasant 
Mills. 

Mechescalaxin Creek, tributary of 
Atsion river, rises in Hereford t-ship, 
Gloucester co., and by a course of 
13 miles S. E., unites with Atsion 
river, near Pleasant Mills, in Gallo- 
way t-ship. 

Medford, p-t. Eveham t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO., on Haines' creek, 7 miles 
S. W. from Mount Holly, 16 miles 
E. from Camden, 29 S. E. from 
Trenton, and 154 N. E. from W. C. ; 



MET 



176 



MID 



contains a large Quaker meeting 
house, 2 taverns, 4 stores, and from 
30 to 40 dwellings, surrounded by a 
pleasant fertile country. 

Mendham t-ship, Morris co., 
bounded N. by Randolph, E. by 
Morris, S. by Bernard, and Bedmin- 
ster t-ships, of Somerset co., and W. 
by Chester co. Centrally distant, W. 
from Morristown, 7 miles; greatest 
length, E. and W. 6; breadth, N. 
and S. 4i miles; area, 14,000 acres; 
surface generally hilly, and on the 
N. mountainous; soil clay, loam 
and grey limestone; the last fer- 
tile and well cultivated; drained 
southwardly, by arms of the north 
branch of the Raritan, and E. by 
Whippany river. Mendham is the 
post-town. Population in 1830, 1314. 
In 1832, the township contained 270 
taxables, 48 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 ; 30 single 
men, 5 stores, 4 saw mills, 3 grist 
mills, 1 cotton manufactory, 2 full- 
ing mills, 2 wool carding machines, 
26 tan vats, 7 distilleries and 1 forge, 
273 horses and 686 neat cattle, above 
the age of three years ; and paid 
state tax, $176 03; county tax, 394 
12; poor tax, $250; road tax, $800. 
Sulphur was reported to be found, in 
this township, in large quantities, 
during the revolutionary war. 

Mendham, p-t. of the preceding 
township, on the Morris and Easton 
turnpike-road, 6 miles W. of the for- 
mer, 221 N. E. from W. C, and 55 
from Trenton ; contains a Presbyte- 
rian church, a boarding school for 
boys, in much repute, under the care 
of Mr. Fairchild, 1 grist mill, 1 ta- 
vern, three stores, and between 40 
and 50 dwellings. Circumjacent 
country rolling, soil limestone, well 
cultivated and fertile. 

MerriWs Branch of Pohatcong 
Creek, rises in Oxford t-ship, War- 
ren CO. and flows S. through Green- 
wich township, to its recipient, hav- 
ing a course of about 7 miles. 

Metetecunk River, Monmouth co., 
rises by two branches, the N. and S. 
in Freehold township, and flowing 
S. E. about 16 miles, uniting in the 



pond of Butcher's works, on the line 
of Dover and Howell townships, 
about 4 miles above the north end of 
Barnegat bay, into which the river 
empties. Each branch gives motion 
to several mills. The main river is 
navigable to Butcher's works. 

Middle t-ship. Cape May co., 
bounded N. by Dennis' creek t-ship, 
E. by the Atlantic ocean, S. by Low- 
er t-ship, and W. by the Delaware 
bay ; greatest length, N. and S. 1 2, 
breadth, 10 miles; area, 60,000 
acres ; surface, level ; soil, sand and 
marsh ; Dennis' creek runs on the 
N. W. border of the township; Lea- 
ming's and Seven Mile beaches lie on 
the Atlantic, between which, is Here- 
ford's inlet, admitting the sea to the 
marshes and lagunes, which extend 
westerly, for about four miles. On 
the bay there is also, a strip of marsh 
from half a mile to two miles in 
width, through which flow Goshen, 
Dyer's, Green and Fishing creeks. 
The interval land between the 
marshes, is a stiff clay, covered 
with oak forest, through which are 
interspersed some arable lands. The 
population is chiefly seated along the 
edge of the marshes, and consisted, 
in 1830, of 1366 souls. In 1832, 
the township contained about 320 tax- 
ables, 207 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30 ; 1 grist mill, 
3 saw mills, 218 horses, 650 neat 
cattle over 3 years of age, 8 stores, 
and paid township taxes, $101 3; 
county do. $630 47 ; and state tax, 
$203 53. There are two villages in 
the township ; one at Cape May Court 
House, and the other called Goshen. 

Middle Run, Weymouth t-ship, 
Gloucester co., a marsh creek, which 
empties into Great Egg Harbour 
bay. 

Middlehrook, Warren and Bridge- 
water t-ships, Somerset co., rises in 
and flows through a mountain valley 
by a S. W. and S. course of about 9 
miles, and emptying into the Raritan 
near the village of Middlebrook in 
the latter township. 

Middlebrook, village. See Bound 
Brook. 



MID 



177 



MID 



Middlesex co., was first erected 
by an act of Assembly under the 
proprietary government in 1682. Its 
boundaries have been settled by the 
acts of 1709, 1713 and 1790. It 
is now bounded N. by Essex coun- 
ty; N. E. by Arthur's Kill or Staten 
Island Sound; E. by Raritan bay; 
S. E. by Monmouth county; S. W. 
by Burlington, and Huntingdon coun- 
ties ; and W. and N. W. by Somer- 
set county; greatest length, N. E. 
and S. W. 35 miles ; greatest breadth, 
17 miles; area, in acres, 21,700, or 
about 339 square miles. Central lat. 
40° 25' N.; long, from W. C. 2° 34' 
east. 

Geologically considered, the coun- 
ty is based upon the primitive and 
old red sandstone formations. The 
former is, in many places, covered 
by the latter, and appears most con- 
, spicuously in the S. W. portion of 
. the county. The red and grey free- 
stone from the quarries of West 
. Windsor township, S. E. of Prince- 
■ ton, and the redstone near New 
Brunswick, and in many other parts 
of the county, are admirably adapt- 
ed for, and have been extensively 
used in building ; the former especi- 
ally in the locks of the Delaware and 
Raritan canal. The sand of this 
•jstone is mingled in various portions 
with other constituents of the soil, 
.forming in some places, deep sand, 
in others, loam, of diverse consist- 
ence, from the light sandy, to the 
heavy clay. Generally, however, 
the soil is of improvable quality, 
ahd is in many places highly culti- 
vated. The surface is as various as 
the soil ; on the S. E. it is generally 
level, and on the N. and N. E. is 
undulating, l)ut cannot any where be 
deemed hi lly ; except at the sand hills, 
a few miles E. of Kingston. 

Copper ore is found in the red 
sandstone near New Brunswick. 
Mines were opened and worked many 
years ago, but all operations therein 
have long been suspended. 

The river Raritan divides the coun- 
ty into two unequal parts, flowing by 
a general but serpentine easterly 



course of 12 or 14 miles through it, 
into the Raritan bay ; receiving from 
the south, Lawrence's brook and the 
South river, whose many branches 
water the country on the S. E. ; and 
from the N. some inconsiderable tri- 
butaries. The Millstone river cross- 
es the S. W. portion of the county 
in a N. W. direction, and is di- 
vided from the Assunpink creek, by a 
neck of land from four to five miles 
wide. The one, bending to the north, 
seeks the Raritan river, in Somerset 
county ; and the other turning to the 
S. W. runs to the Delaware, on the 
line between Burlington and Hunter- 
don counties. The Rahway river 
courses the N. E. line, and Green- 
brook the N. W. boundary, both 
of which receive tribute from the 
county. The bay of the Raritan 
affords an excellent harbour, com- 
municating at all times by a single 
tide, with the ocean; and by Staten 
Island Sound, with the bay of New 
York. 

Perth Amboy was originally the 
seat of justice of the county, which 
has long since been removed to the 
city of New Brunswick. 

Besides these cities, the county 
contains the ibllowing towns, viz. 
Bridgetown, Samptown, Brooklyn, 
New Mai'ket, New Durham, Wood- 
bridge, Matouchin, Bonhamtown, 
Piscataway, Washington, Old Bridge, 
Spotswood, Kingston, Princeton, 
Williamsburg, Cranberry, Hights- 
town, Millford, Edinburg, Centre- 
ville, &c. 

A turnpike road from Trenton 
runs by Princeton, along the western 
boundary of the county, to New 
Brunswick; and thence a like road 
passes to New York ; a second runs 
from Trenton, by a straight line, N. 
W., to New Brunswick ; and a third 
from Bordentown to Amboy, which 
last two places are also connected by 
the Bordentown and Amboy rail-road. 
The New Jersey rail-road, now in 
progress, will unite the cities of Jer- 
sey and New Brunswick. The Dela- 
ware and Raritan canal runs a very 
considerable distance through the 



MID 



178 



MID 



county, and communicates with the 
Raritan at New Brunswick. 

The population, by the census of 
1830, was 23,157 : of whom 10,523 
were white males; 10,487 white fe- 
males ; 904 free coloured males ; 914 
free coloured females; 130 male 
slaves; 179 female slaves; 174 
aliens; 12 whites, deaf and dumb, 7 
blind, and 3 blacks blind. 

The business of the county is chief- 
ly agricultural, but considerable trade 
is carried on from New Brunswick. 
In 1832 the county contained about 
4500 taxables, 841 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30; 
477 single men, 99 stores, 20 saw 
mills, 42 run of stones for grinding 
grain, 2 plaster mills, 2 woollen facto- 
ries, 7 carding machines, 39 distille- 
ries, and 3684 horses and mules, and 
7675 neat cattle over 3 years of age ; 
and it paid state tax, 83253 26; 
county, $4000; poor, $5850; road, 
3600. 

The provisions for moral improve- 
ment, in the county, consist of the 
following religious associations: viz. 



Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Baptist, 
Seventh-day Baptist, Dutch Reform- 
ed, and Methodist; one college, and 
one theological institution belonging to 
Presbyterians, several academies and 
boarding schools, at Princeton ; a col- 
lege and theological seminary per- 
taining to the Dutch Reformed, a 
grammar school, and other schools, 
at New Brunswick; two academies 
at Rahway, and common schools, at 
which the rudiments of an English 
education are given in every popu- 
lous vicinity; a county bible society, 
Sunday schools, in almost every vil- 
lage, and temperance societies which 
are spreading over the county. 

The public buildings in addition to 
the churches and seats of literature, 
consist of the court-house, public of- 
fices, and prison, at New Brunswick. 

The following are post-towns of 
the county : Amboy, Cranberry, 
Hightstown, Kingston, New Bruns- 
wick, New Market, Rahway, Six 
Mile Run, South or Washington, 
Spots wood, and Woodbridge. 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. 







■^ 


Area. 


Surface. 


Population. 1 


Townships, &c. 


a 


<u 






■ 




H-5 








1810. 


1820. 


1830. ' 


Perth Amboy, 






2,577 


rolling. 


815 


798 


879" ' 


South Amboy, 


18 


6 


64,000 


partly rolling. 


3071 


3406 


3782 ' 


North Brunswick, 


9 


7 


23,000 


level. 


3980 


4275 


5274 . 


South Brunswick, 


10 


7 


36,000 


do. 


2332 


2489 


2557 \ 


East Windsor, 


12 


6 


24,000 


do. 


1747 


1710 


1903 


West Windsor, 


7 


5 


19,000 


do. 


1714 


1918 


2129 ' 


Piscataway, 


9 


7i 


27,000 


do. 


2475 


2648 


2664 •♦1 


Woodbridge, 


9 


9 


24,000 


do. 


4247 


4226 


3969 ,. 




219,577 


20,381 


21,470 


23,157 . 



Middletown t-ship, Monmouth co., 
bounded N. by Raritan bay and 
Sandy Hook, E. by the Atlantic 
ocean, S. by Shrewsbury t-ship, and 
W. by South Amboy t-ship, Middle- 
sex CO. Centrally distant N. E. from 
Freehold 10 miles; greatest length E. 
and W. 16, breadth N. and S. 10 
miles; area, 50,000 acres; surface, 
on the east and centre, hilly, else- 



where, level; soil, loam, sand, and 
clay, not naturally of the first quality, '1^ 
but highly improved, in places, by., 
the use of marl, which has become 
common. Sandy Hook bay runs south 
into the t-ship from the Raritan, and 
is bounded on the S. W. by the pro- 
montory of the highlands of Nevi- 
sink, and on the "E. by the sand 
beach, forming Sandy Hook, run- 



MID 



179 



MIL 



ning 6 miles north from Shrewsbury 
Inlet ; upon the north point of which 
stands Sandy Hook Light-house. The 
t-ship is drained on the S. E., S. and 
S. W. by Swimming and Nevisink 
rivers ; on the N. W. by Middletown 
creek ; N. by Way cake, and N. E. by 
Watson's and Shoal Harbour creeks. 
Middletown, Middletown Point, Bap- 
tisttown, or Holmdel and Mount Plea- 
, isant are villages, the two first post- 
towns, of the t-ship. Population in 
1830, 5128. In 1832 the t-ship con- 
tained about 1000 taxables, 277 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed .^30; 169 single men, 27 stores, 
5 saw mills, 1 3 run of stones for grind- 
" ing grain, 1 fulling mill, 36 tan vats, 
,^ 11 distilleries, 956 horses and mules, 
and 2286 neat cattle, above 3 years 
of age; and paid state and county 
taxes, i2620 20. Good lands will 
bring in this t-ship an average price 
of $60 the acre. 

In 1682 Middletown contained 
about 100 families; several thousand 
acres had been collected for the town, 
and many thousand for out-planta- 
tions. John Browne, Richard Harts- 
horne, and Nicholas Davis, had well 
improved settlements here; and a 
court of sessions was holden twice 
or thrice a year, for Middletown, 
• Piscataway and their jurisdictions. 
Middletoivn, post-town of Middle- 
town t-ship, Monmouth co., 13 miles 
N. E. from Freehold, 56 from Tren- 
ton, and 221 from W. C, situate in 
, a rolling and fertile country, based 
■ on marl; contains an Episcopal, a 
, Dutch Reformed, and a Baptist church, 
2 stores, 2 taverns, and from 20 to 
25 dwellings, among which, there 
are several very neat and commo- 
dious. 

Middletown Point, port of delivery 
'^ of Perth Amboy district, and post- 
town of Middletown t-ship, Monmouth 
CO., upon Middletown creek, about 3 
miles from the Raritan bay, 1 1 miles 
N. of Freehold, 47 N. E. from Tren- 
ton, and 213 from W. C; lies on a 
bank elevated about 50 feet above the 
stream, fronting a marsh on the op- 
posite side; contains a Pi'esbyterian 



church, from 75 to 100 dwellings, 
many of which are very good build- 
ings, 8 or 10 stores, 4 taverns, and a 
grist mill. This is the market of an 
extensive country, and large quanti- 
ties of pork, rye, corn, cord wood, 
and garden truck, are thence sent to 
New York. The soil immediately 
around the town is sandy. There is 
a bank here, incorporated in 1830, 
with a capital of $50,000, of which 
$10,000 only were paid in, in 1833. 

Middleville, Orange t-ship, Essex 
CO., 5 miles S. W. of Newark, con- 
tains a tavern, a store, a grist mill, 
saw mill, and Universalist church. 

Mill BrooJc, a small stream of 
Montague t-ship, Sussex co., flowing 
N. E., a course of about 6 miles, to 
the Nevisink river, in the state of 
New York, about 1 mile north of the 
boundary, giving motion to several 
grist, and other mills. 

3Iill Creek, a tributary of Cohan- 
sey creek, flowing southward into it, 
and forming the S. W. boundary of 
Greenwich t-ship, Salem co.; length 
between 3 and 4 miles. 

Mill Creek, another tributary of 
Cohansey creek, rising in Fairfield 
t-ship, Cumberland co., and flowing 
S. W. about 4 miles, by the village 
of Fail-ton, to its recipient, giving 
motion to two mills. 

Millford, E. Windsor t-ship, Mid- 
dlesex CO., on Rocky Brook, 17 miles 
S. W. from New Brunswick, on 
Rocky Brook ; contains a Presbyte- 
rian church, a grist mill, and some 
10 or 12 farm houses, and dwellings 
of mechanics. Soil light, and not 
productive. 

Millford, village of Alexandria 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., on the river 
Delaware, at the confluence of a small 
creek with that stream, 13 miles N. 
W. from Flemington, and 40 from 
Trenton; contains a tavern, store, 
grist mill, 2 saw mills, and from 
15 to 20 dwellings, a Presbyterian 
church, and a church of Unitarians, 
which styles itself Christian, and 
which admits females to participate 
in the ministry. This is a place of 



MIL 



180 



MIN 



considerable business, particularly in 
the lumber trade. 

Millhill, village of Nottingham 
t-ship, Burlington co., on the S. side 
of the Assunpink creek ; contains 2 
cotton manufactories, several taverns 
and stores, a market house, and about 
80 dwellings. (Sec Trenton, of which 
it is a suburb.) 

Millington, post-office, Somerset 
CO., 219 miles N. E. from W. C, and 
48 from Trenton. 

Millstone River, rises near Paint 
Island spring. Upper Freehold t-ship, 
Monmouth co., and flows thence by 
a N. course of about 5 miles, to the 
line between Monmouth and Mid- 
dlesex COS.; thence N. W. 13 or 
14 miles, through Middlesex to the 
mouth of Stony Brook, thence N. E. 
by Kingston, into Somerset co., 16 
miles to the river Raritan. It is a 
strong and rapid stream, receiving 
the waters of an extensive country, 
including that drained by Stony 
Brook; and runs, in many places, 
through very narrow valleys, and 
consequently is subject to sudden and 
great overflows. The Delaware and 
Raritan canal enters the valley of 
this river, with Stony Brook, and fol- 
lows it to the Raritan. The whole 
length of the Millstone may be about 
35 miles, by comparative courses. 

Millstone, post-town of Hillsbo- 
rough t-ship, Somerset co., on the 
left bank of the Millstone river, 194 
miles N. E. of W. C, 28 from Tren- 
ton, 5 S. of Somerville ; contains 2 
taverns, 3 stores, a Dutch Refoi'med 
church, and between 30 and 40 dwell- 
ings, in a level, fertile, red shale 
country. Some of the dwellings are 
very neat and commodious. 

Milltown, a small village in the 
southern part of Kingwood t-ship, 
Hunterdon co., on the Laokatong 
creek, 10 miles S. W. from Fleming- 
ton; contains a mill, store, and 8 or 
10 dwellings. 

Millville t-ship Cumberland co., 
bounded N. by Gloucester and Salem 
COS., and by Dcptford t-ship, S. E. by 
Maurice River t-ship, S. by Downe, 
and W. by Fairfield t-ships. Cen- 



trally distant E. from Bridgeton, 12 
miles; length N. and S. 16 miles; 
breadth E. and W. 15 ; area, 73,000 
acres ; surface, level ; soil sandy, and 
generally not very productive. It is 
drained by Maurice river and its tri- 
butaries, of which Manantico creek 
is here the chief. Millville and Buck- 
shutcm, are towns of the t-ship ; the 
first a post-town. Population in 1 830, 
1561. In 1832, there were in the 
t-ship 349 taxables, 136 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 ; 
7 stores, 6 run of stones for grinding 
grain, 1 carding machine, 1 blast fur- 
nace, 8 saw mills, 2 glass manufac- 
tories ; and it paid road tax, $800, 
and county and state tax, $553 58. 

Millville, p-t. of Millville t-ship, 
Cumberland co., on the left bank of 
Maurice river, 20 miles from its 
mouth, 11 miles S. E. of Bridgeton, 
79 from Trenton, and 176 N. E. from 
W. C. ; contains about 60 dwellings, 
2 taverns, 4 or 5 stores, a furnace 
belonging to Mr. D. C. Wood, and 
extensive glass works belonging to 
Messrs. Burgin and Pearsall ; con- 
sisting of 2 factories, 1 containing an 
8, and the other a 7 pot furnace, em- 
ployed chiefly in the manufacture of 
bottles, demijohns, carboys, and the 
various kinds of vials used by drug- 
gists and apothecaries, giving em- . 
ployment to from 75 to 100 work- 
men. The town lies near the head 
of sloop navigation. 

Milton, post-town of Morris co., 
242 miles N. E. from W. C, and 
79 from Trenton, and 15 N. of So- 
merville. , 

MinisinJc Island, formed by the ' 
Delaware river, and making the ex- 
treme S. W. part of Montague t-ship, 
Sussex CO. 

Mine Mountain, composed of trap 
rock, Bernard t-ship, Somerset co., 
extends from the north branch of the 
Raritan, 6 miles to the Passaic river, 
and is intersected by tributaries of 
the respective rivers ; the chief of 
which is 

Mine Brook, rising near Logtown, 
on the summit of the mountain,and run- 
ning 6 miles S. W. to the north branch 



MON 



181 



MON 



of the Raritan. It is a mill stream 
of great fall, and studded with mills. 

Miry Run, tributary of the As- 
sunpink creek, rises in East Windsor 
t-ship, Middlesex co., and flows N. 
W. through Nottingham t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO., by a course of 8 miles, 
giving motion to several mills. 

Miry Run, small stream of Egg 
Harbour t-ship, Gloucester co., flow- 
ing westerly about 3 miles to the 
Great Egg Harbour river, having a 
mill at its mouth. 

Monroe, p-t. Hardiston t-ship, Sus- 
sex CO., at the cross-roads N. W. of 
Pimple Hill, 236 miles from W. C., 
78 from Trenton, and 9 from New- 
ton; contains a mill, store, and seve- 
ral dwellings. It is surrounded by 
soil of primitive Umestone. 

Monroe, village of Hanover t-ship, 
Morris co., near the Whippany river, 
3 miles N. E. of Morristown ; con- 

• tains a store, 5 or 6 dwellings, and an 
extensive paper mill. It is surround- 
ed by soil of loam and gravel, well 
cultivated. 

Monmouth Comity; the bounds of 
this county were established by the 
Acts of 21st January, 1709-10, and 
15th march, 1713-14 ; and it is now 
limited on the N. by Raritan bay; 

. E. and S. E. by the Atlantic ocean ; 

. S. W. and W. by Burlington co. ; 

■ and N. W. by Middlesex; greatest 
length 65, breadth 33 miles; area, 

.. 665,000 acres, or about 1030 square 
miles. Central lat. 40° 5' N., long. 
from W. C. 2° 42' E. The whole coun- 
try belongs to the alluvial formation, 
and consists of clay mingled with 
^sand, gravel, aiid in low places vege- 
table mould. In many parts there 

■' are large beds of marl, varying in 

. quality from that composed almost 
altogether of shells, already highly 
indurated, to that of blue clay and 
sand, in which the shells are finely 
broken and sparsely strewed. In the 
N. part of the county, marl is gene- 
rally used as manure, and with the 
greatest advantage. It has restored 
many tracts of worn-out land to fer- 
tility, and preserved much more from 
exhaustion and abandonment. 



The surface of the county, except 
in Middlctown t-ship, is generally 
level, and a large portion of it cover- 
ed with pine forest ; N. of Manasquan 
inlet the sea-coast is high, bold, and 
clean; S. of that channel commences 
a series of sand beaches, formed into 
islands, by Barnegat and Little Egg 
Harbour inlets, having a width, va- 
rying from half a mile to a mile, 
and which extend in this county to 
Little Egg Harbour inlet, a distance, 
southwardly of full 40 miles. Be- 
hind the beach, a bayou, continues, 
nominally divided into two, under the 
names of Little Egg Harbour, and 
Barnegat bays, which also varies 
much in width, being from ^ a mile 
to 4 miles broad ; with a broad bor- 
der of salt marsh, on the west. 

The county is well watered, by 
many small streams, most of which 
flow E., to the ocean. The princi- 
pal of these are Manasquan, Mete- 
tecunk. Kettle, Cedar, Oyster, Ma- 
nahocking, and Westecunk creeks, 
Nevisink, Shrewsbury, Toms', and 
Forked rivers. From the N. the 
Millstone and South rivers flow to the 
Raritan, and the W. sends forth the 
Assunpink, the Crosswick's, and the 
Rancocus, tributaries of the Dela- 
ware. 

The post-towns of the county are, 
AUentown, Barnegat, Cedar Creek, 
Colts' Neck, Eatontown, English- 
town, Freehold, the seat of justice, 
Holmdel, Howel Furnace, Manohock- 
ing, Manasquan, Middletown, Middle- 
town Point, New Egypt, Shrewsbury, 
Squankum, and Toms' River. There 
are several other less considerable 
villages. 

The business of the county is 
chiefly agricultural, but many per- 
sons are employed in cutting and 
sawing timber, and in preparing and 
carying cord wood to market, large 
quantities of which are sent from 
Toms' river, and large quantities of 
the finest pork are annually raised for 
exportation. Iron is also made in 
the central parts of the county, at 
Phoenix, Dover, and other furnaces. 

The population, originally com- 



MON 



182 



MON 



posed of a few Dutch, and some New 
England men, who removed from 
Long Island, prior to, and about, the 
year 1664, amounted in 1830, to 
29,233 : of whom there were, white 
free males, 13,900; free white fe- 
males, 13,304; male slaves 97; fe- 
male slaves, 1 30 ; free coloured males, 
1794; free coloured females, 978. 
There were also, 19 deaf and dumb, 
and 14 blind, of the whites; 1 deaf 
and dumb, and 1 blind, of the colour- 
ed population. 



By returns of the assessors of 1832, 
there were in the county, about 6000 
taxables, 1365 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 ; 603 sin 
gle men, 103 stores, 52 saw mills 
67 run of stones for grinding grain 
6 fulling mills, 17 carding machines 
5 furnaces, 238 tan vats, 46 distillc 
ries for cider, 4942 horses and mules 
and 12,068 neat cattle, over the age 
of 3 years ; and it paid county and 
state taxes, $15,492 80. 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY. 





JS 


•5 






P 


opulation. 


Townships, &c. 


bo 

c 


rt 


Area. 


Surface. 














0) 








1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


Dover, 


24 


22 


200,000 


level. 


1882 


1916 


2898 


Upper Freehold, 


16 


10 


90,000 


do. 


3843 


4541 


4826 


Lower Freehold, 


23 


11 


104,000 


do. 


4784 


5146 


5481 


Howell, 


13 


11 


70,000 


do. 


2780 


3354 


4141 


Middletown, 


16 


10 


50,000 


part hilly, 
do. 


3849 


4369 


5128 


Shrewsbury, 


13 


13 


64,000 


3773 


4284 


4700 


Stafford, 


18 


12 


87,000 


do. 


1239 


1428 


2059 




665,000 


22,150 


25,038 


29,233 



Montague, N. W. t-ship of Sussex 
CO., bounded on the N. E. by the state 
of New York, S. E. by the Blue 
mountains, S. W. by Sandistone 
t-ship, and on the N. W. by the river 
Delaware. Centrally distant from 
Newton, 16 miles ; greatest length 8^, 
breadth 7^ miles ; area, 21,620 acres ; 
surface on the S. E. mountainous, on 
the N. W. line, river alluvion. Po- 
pulation in 1830, 990. There were 
in the t-ship in 1832, 85 household- 
■ers, whose ratables did not exceed 
$30; 6 store keepers, 3 pair of mill 
stones, 3 saw mills, 208 horses and 
mules above 3 years old, 843 neat 
cattle, above that age ; 1 1 tan vats, 1 
distillery. The t-ship paid a school 
tax of $150; state and county tax, 
$364 89; poor tax, 100; and road 
tax, $500. It is drained N. E. by 
Mill brook, W, by Chamber's Mill 
brook, and S. W. by Big and Little 
Flat Kills. There is a post-ofRce 
here, bearing the name of the t-ship ; 



distant 245 miles from W. C, 87 
from Trenton, and 17 from Newton. 
Two turnpike roads run through the 
t-ship, and unite at the Delaware, op- 
posite Milford bridge; this bridge, 
completed in 1826, cost $20,000. Be- 
tween the Blue mountain and Dela- 
ware river, the -space is six miles, 
through which runs a vein of transi- 
tion limestone, bordered by an exten- 
sive river flat. The soil is fertile and 
well cultivated, producing much 
wheat. The t-ship was originally 
settled b)'- the Dutch, some years 
prior to 1680. 

Montgomery t-ship, Somerset co., 
bounded N. by Hillsborough, E. and 
S. E. by Millstone river, which sepa- 
rates it from Franklin t-ship, W. by 
Lawrence and Hopewell t-ships, Hun- 
terdon CO. Centrally distant S. W. 
from Somerville 12 miles; greatest 
length N. and S. 8, breadth E. and 
W. 8 miles; area, 36,500 acres; 
surface, hilly; soil, clay, sandy loam, 



MOR 



188 



MOR 



and red shale. Beden's Brook and 
its tributaries, Rock, Pike, and No- 
pipe Brooks flow eastvvardly through 
the t-ship to the Millstone river, and 
Stony Bi'ook crosses the S. W. angle. 
Rock mountain or the Nashanic, 
forms the N. W. angle, and Rocky 
hill spreads itself over the south. 
Princeton, the northern side of the 
main street, Rocky Hill, Stoutsville, 
Harlingen, and Plainville, are towns 
of the t-ship. Population in 1830, 
2834. In 1832 the t-ship contained 
about 600 taxables, 170 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 ; 
and 66 single men, 15 stores, 5 saw 
mills, 5 grist mills, 1 fulling mill, 54 
tan vats, 5 distilleries, 743 horses 
and mules, 1295 neat cattle, 3 years 
old and upwards ; and paid state tax, 
$352 72 ; county tax, $900 94. 

Montville, village of Pequannock 
t-ship, Morris co., lying in a deep 
valley, through which passes the 
Morris canal, by two inclined planes ; 
the town lies between 10 and 11 
miles N. E. from Morristown, and 
contains a grist mill, saw mill, 2 
stores, 1 tavern, and from 10 to 15 
dwellings, and a Dutch Reformed 
church. 

Moorestown, p-t., Chester t-ship, 
Burlington co., on the great road from 
Camden to Monmouth, 10 miles 
from the former, and 8 S. W. of 
Mount Holly, 30 miles from Trenton, 
and 1 47 from W. C. This is a very 
pleasant town, situated on a fertile 
plain of sandy loam, extremely well 
cultivated, near the north branch of 
Pensauken creek ; contains a large 
Quaker meeting house, a Methodist 
church, a school, 3 taverns, 4 or 5 
stores, and between 50 and 60 dwell- 
ings, most of which are neat and 
commodious, some large and elegant. 
The town has communication by 
stages, daily, with Camden and Mount 
U Holly. 

Morris County, was taken from 
Hunterdon, by act of Assembly of 
15th March, 1738-9, directing that 
the portion of "said county lying to 
the northward and eastward of a well 
known place, being a fall of water. 



in part of the north branch of the 
Raritan, called in the Indian language 
AUamatonck, to the north-eastward 
of the north-east end of the lands 
called the New Jersey Society Lands, 
along the line thereof, crossing the 
south branch of the said river, and 
extending westerly to a certain tree 
marked with the letters L M, stand- 
ing on the north side of a brook 
emptying itself into the said south 
branch, by an old Indian path to the 
northward of a line to be run north- 
west from the said tree to a branch of 
Delaware river called Musconetcong, 
and so down the said branch to Dela- 
ware river." It was named from 
Lewis Morris, then Governor of the 
province. These ample limits were 
contracted by the erection of Sussex 
county, 8th June, 1753, from which 
Warren was subsequently taken. 
Morris county is now bounded on 
the N. W. by Sussex, N. E. by Ber- 
gen, E. and S. E. by Essex, S. by 
Somerset, S. W. by Hunterdon, and 
W. by Warren. Greatest length N. 
E. and S. W. about 30 miles ; breadth 
27 miles; area, 292,900 acres; cen- 
tral latitude 40° 53' N.; longitude 
2° 28" E. from W. C. 

The county is divided between the 
transition and primitive formations, 
two-thirds of it on the south being of 
the latter, but even in it, the primitive 
appears in the hills as in the Trow- 
bridge mountain, and the ridge on the 
north-west of Morristown. The tran- 
sition also appears in the range most 
generally primitive, as in the grau- 
wacke of the Copperas mountain, and 
the grey limestone at its southern base; 
a bed of which, probably, underlays 
the country from Potter's Falls on 
the S. W., to Charlottcsburg on the 
N. E., upon Pequannock creek. 
Trap rocks are scattered over the 
county in various places, as in the 
Pompton Hills, Long Hill, and else- 
where. 

The northern portion of the coun- 
ty is mountainous and divided into 
several ridges, ^whose continuity is 
broken as they extend south and 
east. Schooley's, or the Hamburg 



MOR 



184 



MOR 



mountain, which is a continuation of 
the Musconctcong, continues in an 
unbroken mass across the county, 
varying from three to six miles in 
width. On the north-east, longitu- 
dinal divisions are formed by the 
branches of Rockaway river, in the 
Green Pond and Copperas mountains ; 
whilst Pequannock t-ship is covered 
with short ridges and rounded knolls. 
The Trowbridge mountain is a con- 
siderable eminence near the centre of 
the county, varying in breadth from 
one to three miles, and having a 
length of fifteen miles. South and 
east of this ridge the county is level, 
or at most, undulating with a soil 
in which red shale predominates ; it 
may be deemed the valley of the 
Passaic. On the south-east border 
of the county, however, rises another 
hill, around whose western extremity 
the Passaic turns, to follow its base 
north-eastwardly. 

The county is rich in iron ore, 
and we believe that the great bed of 
red oxide of zinc, found in the Ham- 
burg mountain near Sparta, in the 
adjacent county, extends into this. 
Iron ore is indeed here very abundant, 
and is chiefly of the magnetic cha- 
racter. The great bed first worked in 
Franconia, near the White Hills in 
New Hampshire, extends in the di- 
rection of the stratification, into this 
county, and which is said by Mr. 
M'Clure, to lose itself near Black- 
water; but which most probably ex- 
tends indefinitely S. W.; since iron of 
the same character is abundant near 
the spring at Schooley's mountain. 
The mine of the Hon. Mr. Dickerson, 
on the head waters of the Black river, 
is one of the best and most extensive- 
ly wrought of the district. (See 
Randolph t-ship.) 

The county is abundantly watered ; 
a line drawn almost due south and 
north from the village of Mendham, 
to Drakcsvillc, determines the course 
of the streams east and west. Thus 
the Rockaway with its tributaries, 
the Parcippany and Whippany rivers, 
seek the first; whilst the tributaries 
of the north and south branches of 



the Raritan river, have a westerly in- 
clination. The Passaic river has its 
source in a swamp near the village of 
Mendham, and forms a natural boun- 
dary between this and the county of 
Somerset on the south, and the county 
of Essex on the S. E., receiving the 
Rockaway west of the village of 
Franklin, and the Pequannock, or 
Pompton river, north of the village of 
Fairfield. The last stream forms 
the N. E. boundary of the county, 
separating it from Bergen. 

The chief villages and post-towns 
of the county are Berkshire Valley, 
Bottle Hill, Chatham, Chester, Den- 
ville, Dover, Flanders, Hanover, Ha- 
nover Neck, Littleton, Mendham, Mil- 
ton, Montville, Morristown, the seat 
of justice. Mount Freedom, New- 
foundland, New Vernon, Parsippany, 
Pompton, Powerville, Rockaway, 
Schooley's Mountain, Stockholm, 
Suckasunny, Washington, &c. 

The provisions for moral improve- 
ment in the county, consist in church- 
es of the Presbyterians, the Dutch 
Reformed, the Methodists, and the 
Episcopalians ; a county Bible Socie- 
ty, a county Sunday school union, 
and several Sunday schools and 
temperance societies in various parts 
of the county ; several academies in 
the larger villages, where the rudi- 
ments of the classics and mathe- 
matics are taught, and common Eng- 
lish schools in almost every vicinity. 

By the census of 1830, the popula- 
tion consisted of 23,666 souls, of 
whom 10,719 were white males ; 1108 
white females; 77 male slaves; 88 
female slaves; 438 free coloured 
males ; 364 coloured free females : 
and of whom there were 20 whites, 
and 4 blacks, deaf and dumb; 11 
whites, and 1 black, blind; and 497 
aliens. 

In 1832, the county contained 
4836 taxables, 1083 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 in 
value; 528 single men, 83 stores, 71 
saw mills, 56 grist mills, 215 tan 
vats, 53 distilleries, 5 paper mills, 5 
four horse stages, 43 forges and 2 
furnaces, 9 rolling and slitting mills. 



MOR 



185 



MOR 



12 fulling mills, 11 carding ma- 
chines, 1 plaster mill and 6 cotton 
mills, 4056 horses and mules, and 
11,821 neat cattle, above 3 years 
old ; and it paid state tax, $3171 23; 
cosnty tax, $7100; poor tax, $10,900. 

The courts of common pleas, or- 
phans' court, and quarter sessions, are 
holden at Morristown, on the follow- 
ing Tuesdays ; 3d December, 3d 
March, 1st July, and 4th September ; 
and the circuit courts, on the 3d 
Tuesdays in March, and 4th of Sep- 
tember. 

This county abounds with copper, 
iron, zinc, plumbago, copperas, man- 
ganese, ochres of various colours, 
excellent brick clay, freestone, lime- 
stone, precious marbles, oil stone, &c. 
&c. With such metallic resources, the 
pioneers in the settlement of this por- 
tion of New Jersey, were rather ma- 
nufacturers than agriculturists; and 
the narrow valleys of the mountain 
region, which contain many and ex- 
cellent mill seats, were only partially 
tilled for the subsistence of wood 
cutters and bloomers. The forge 
was uniformly the precursor of the 
farm. The iron master occupied 
large tracts of land, which, when 
stripped of timber, were subdivided 
among agricultural successors, ope- 
rating on the smallest scale. As the 



country was cleared, the makers of 
ii'on gradually retired to the remote, 
rough, and almost inaccessible re- 
gions, where the cost of transporta- 
tion of the ores, and of the metal to 
market, rendered their operations 
very unprofitable. Relief in this re- 
spect will be obtained from the com- 
pletion of the Morris cansd, which 
has been created in a great measure 
with that view. 

A region abounding so much in 
metallic ores, necessarily produces 
mineral springs ; but that of Schoo- 
ley's mountain, is the only one which 
has yet attained celebrity. A few 
years since, the county was famed 
for its apple orchards, its cider, 
and apple whiskey ; of the last, large 
quantities were annually made for 
market. The annual average pro- 
duct of the Morris orchards was esti- 
mated at 800,000 bushels. But a 
succession of bad crops, for some 
years, has discouraged the cultivation. 
Few new orchards are planted, and 
the old ones are frequently neglected. 
Attempts have been made to cultivate 
the foreign grape upon the hill sides, 
but without success, the frosts prov- 
ing too severe. It is possible that some 
indigenous quahties might be planted 
with profit. 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF MORRIS COUNTY. 



Townships. 






Area. 


Surface. 


Population. 


c 












(V 


P3 






1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


Chatham, 


9 


5 


13,400 


various. 


2019 


1832 


1865 


Chester, 


9 


6. 


18,000 


rolling. 


1175 


1212 


1338 


Jefferson, 


14 


3- 


25,000 


mountainous. 


1281 


1231 


1551 


Hanover, 


12 


9, 


35,000 


various. 


3843 


3503 


3718 


Mendham, 


6 


4' 


14,000 


do. 


1277 


1326 


1314 


Morris, 


13 


6 


33,000 


hilly. 


3753 


3524 


3536 


Pequannock, 


16 


11 


74,000 


mountainous. 


3853 


3820 


4451 


Roxbury, 


12 


10 


35,000 


do. 


1563 


1792 


2262 


Randolph, 


7 


5 


18,000 


do. 


1271 


1252 


1443 


Washington, 


8 


n 


27,500 


do. 


1793 


1876 


2188 




292,900 


21,828 


21,368 


23,666 



2A 



w- 



MOR 



186 



MOU 



Morris t-ship, Morris co., bounded 
N. and N. E. by Hanover t-ship ; E. 
by Chatham; S. E. by New Provi- 
dence t-ship, of Bergen co. ; S. and 
S. W. by Somerset co. ; and W. by 
Mendham and Randolph t-ships, Mor- 
ris CO. Greatest length N. and S. 
13 miles ; breadth E. and W. 6 miles ; 
surface, on the north, centre, and 
south, hilly; elsewhere, generally 
rolling, with occasional plains; soil, 
clay and sandy loam ; drained on the 
W. and S. by the Passaic river (and 
its tributaries) which courses its boun- 
dary ; and on the N. E. by the Whip- 
pany river. The Elizabethtown and 
Morris, Newark and Morris, Morris 
and Easton, Morris and Milford turn- 
pike roads cross the t-ship. Morris- 
town, Logansville, New Vernon, 
Morris's Plains, are villages of the 
t-ship. Morristown is the seat of 
justice for the county. Population 
in 1830, 3536. In 1832 there were 
in the t-ship 780 taxables, 21 stores, 
6 saw mills, 4 grist mills, 1 1 distille- 
ries, 1 paper mill, 1 fulling mill, 1 
carding machine, and 546 horses, and 
1674 neat cattle, above the age of 3 
years. The t-ship paid state tax, 
658 85; county tax, 1251 19; poor 
tax, $600 ; and road tax, 82000. 

Morristown, Morris t-ship, post- 
town and seat of justice of Morris co., 
on the Whippany river, by post-route 
221 miles N. E. of W. C, 71 from 
Trenton, 17 from Newark and Eliza- 
bethtown, and 26 from New York ; 
pleasantly seated on a high plain, 
built upon several streets, with a large 
area or public ground in the centre 
of the town ; on which, front the Pres- 
byterian church, many of the best 
houses, and most of the places of bu- 
siness. The town contains 1 Pres- 
byterian, 1 Episcopalian, 1 Baptist, 
and 1 Methodist church ; an academy 
in which the classics and mathema- 
tics are taught; a very large and 
handsome court-house, newly built 
of brick, with the prison in the base- 
ment story ; a grist mill, saw mill, 
and 2 paper mills; a bank with a 
capital of $50,000, which may be ex- 
tended to $100,000, incorporated by 



act of 28th January, 1812, and con- 
tinued by act 19th February, 1820 ; 5 
taverns, 18 stores, 4 practising attor- 
neys, and 3 physicians, 2 printing 
offices, from each of which a weekly 
newspaper is issued, viz. The Jersey- 
man and The Palladium of Liberty ; 
a county bible society, Sunday school 
union, and temperance societies. This 
is a beautiful town. The houses are 
generally well built, neatly painted, 
surrounded with garden plots, and im- 
press upon the visiter the conviction, 
that comfort at least, reigns here. 
The town is supplied by water from 
a fine spring a mile and a half distant, 
and distributed by subterraneous pipes. 
A stage runs to Elizabethtown daily ; 
one every other day to Easton and 
Jersey City, and one to Oswego in 
New York, three times a week. It 
was a noted station of the American 
army during the revolutionary war, 
and the ruins of a small fort, over- 
grown by stately trees, still crown 
the hill which commands the town. 

Morris Plains, hamlet and level 
land, lying S. E. of Trowbridge 
mountain, with a tolerable soil of 
sandy loam, watered by a branch of 
Whippany river. The hamlet is on 
the line between Morris and Hanover 
t-ships, 2 miles north of Morristown, 
and contains a half dozen dwellings. 

Moses'' Pond, small sheet of water 
on the Pochuck mountain, Vernon 
t-ship, Sussex co., which sends forth 
westerly, an inconsiderable tributary 
to the Wallkill river. 

Mount Bethel, hamlet, on Stony. 
Hill, Warren t-ship, Somerset co., 
7 miles N. E. of Somerville ; contains 
a Baptist church, tavern, store, and 4 
or 5 dwellings. 

Mount Carmel, a mountain ham-' 
letofAmwell t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
3 miles N. W. from Flemingtonj 
contains a tavern and some 4 or 5 
dwellings, and a store. The soil 
around it is clay, cold, and at present 
not very productive, but it is improv* , 
able by the use of lime. 

Mount Clinton, a village laid out 
on the Palisade rocks on the North 
river, in Hackensack t-ship, Bergen 



MOU 



187 



MUD 



"€1 



CO., 5 miles N. E. of Hackensack- 
town. 

Movnfs Creek, a small tributary 
of the Cohansey river, near the S. 
W. border of Hopewell t-ship, Salem 
county. 

Mount Ephraim, village, of Glou- 
cester t-ship, Gloucester co., 5 miles 
S. E. from Camden, and the same 
distance N. E. of Woodbury ; con- 
tains a store, tavern, and some 20 or 

, 30 dwellings. The hill from which 
it has its name is, for this country, 
elevated, and affords an extensive 
view of the vicinity, even to the De- 
laware. 

Mount Freedom, p-t., Morris co., 
227 miles N. E. from W. C, and 
61 from Trenton ; contains a Pres- 
byterian church, and some 10 or 12 
dwellings. 

Mount Holly, p-t., Northampton 
t-ship, and seat of justice of Burling- 
ton CO., on the road from Camden to 
Freehold, and at the head of tide and 
navigation, on the north branch of 
Rancocus creek, 20 miles N. E. from 
the city of Camden, 6 S. E. from 
Burlington, 21 from Trenton, 156 
from W. C, and 18 from Philadel- 
phia, has its present name from a 
mount of sand and sandstone near it, 
and some holly trees about its base. 
It was formerly called Bridgetown; 
and this name was recognised in a 
charter for a library company here, 
so early as 1765. At the period of 
the revolutionary war, the town con- 
tained 200 dwellings, and at present, 
1833, has not more than 230 ; many 
of which are good brick buildings, 
erected on 7 streets. It contains a 
court-house of brick, about 40 by 60 ft., 
two stories high, with cupola and bell ; 
a stone prison, 1 Episcopal, 1 Metho- 
dist, 1 Baptist churches, and 2 Qua- 
ker meeting houses; 1 boarding school 

.for young ladies, 4 day schools, 5 
taverns, 8 stores, 1 grist mill, 1 saw 
mill, 1 fulling mill, woollen factory, 
plaster mill, and a paper mill, of the 
latest and most improved construc- 
tion, where paper of fine quality is 
made by machinery, and from 40 to 
50 hands are employed. — 10,000 



1 



reams of paper may be manufactured 
in this mill yearly. The country 
around is flat; soil, sandy loam, ge- 
nerally of good quality, well culti- 
vated, and worth from 40 to 120 
dollars the acre, in extensive farms ; 
corn, rye, and oats, are the chief pro- 
ducts. A bank was established here 
in 1816, with authority to possess 
capital to the amount of $200,000; 
of which $100,000 only have been 
paid in. There run from the village, 
2 stages twice a day to Burlington, 1 
to Camden, 1 to Trenton, 1 to Pem- 
berton, 1 to Vincenttown, 1 to New 
Egypt; and 2 to Manahocking, tri- 
weekly. There are 2 newspapers 
printed here, weekly ; viz. the Herald, 
and New Jersey Mail. 

Mount Misery, hamlet of North- 
ampton t-ship, Burlington co., 15 
miles S. E. from Mount Holly, in 
the pine forest; contains a tavern, 
saw mill, and 4 or 5 dwellings. 

Mount Pleasant, p-t., Alexandria 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., 9 miles N. W. 
from Flemington, 43 from Trenton, 
and 196 from W. C, on the Hake- 
hokake creek; contains a church, 
grist mill, store, and some half dozen 
dwellings. 

Mount Pleasant, small village and 
forge, Pequannock t-ship, Morris co., 
on the t-ship road leading from Mor- 
ristown, N. W. 10 miles; there are 
here a grist mill, and some half do- 
zen houses, and very valuable iron 
mines, extensively wrought. 

Mount Pleasant, village of Middle- 
town t-ship, Monmouth co., on Mid- 
dletown creek, 10 miles N. of Free- 
hold; contains from 12 to 15 dwell- 
ings, a grist mill, a tavern and store. . -^ 
The ground around it is sandy, hut-^iS fl 
high ; elevated at least 50 feet above ■ 

the waters. 

Muddy Creek, a small marsh 
stream of Lower Alloways Creek 
t-ship, Salem co., which has a course 
of a mile or two; and empties into 
the Delaware, between Stow and 
Deep creeks. 

Muddy Run, a branch of the Mor- 
ris river, running near to, and form- 
ing in part, the S. W. boundary of 



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Pittsgrove t-ship, and the line be- 
tween Salem and Cumberland cos. 

Mud Pond, a small basin in the 
Wallkill mountains, Vernon t-ship, 
Sussex CO., which sends forth a tri- 
butary to the Wallkill river. 

Mullica Hill, p-t. and village of 
Gloucester co., on the line separating 
Greenwich from Woolwich t-ships, 
and on Raccoon creek, 7 miles S. E. 
from Woodbury, and 5 E. from 
Swedesboro' ; 47 S. from Trenton, 
and 153 N. E. from W. C; contains 
a Friends' meeting house, an Episco- 
pal church, 2 taverns, 2 stores, and 
between 50 and 60 dwellings. The 
country around the village is much 
improved by the use of marl which 
abounds here, and in some places is 
found in an indurated state, assum- 
ing the character of limestone. 

Musconetcong Creek, or River, 
issues from the Hopatcong pond, or 
lake, in Jefferson t-ship, Morris co. ; 
and flows by a course S. W. and 
nearly straight, through a longitudi- 
nal valley of the South mountains, for 
nearly forty miles. This valley is 
bounded S. E. by the Musconetcong 
and Schooley's mountains, and on 
the N. W. by a southern continua- 
tion of the Hamburg hills ; it is nar- 
row and deep, and has throughout its 
whole length a limestone base. The 
stream has a large volume, and gives 
motion to a very great number of 
mills for various purposes. 

Musketoe Cove, an arm of Barne- 
gat bay, Dover t-ship, Monmouth 
CO., which makes about two miles 
inward through the marsh, between 
Toms' bay and Kettle creek. 

Nacote Creek, a tributary of Lit- 
tle Egg Harbour river, rises by two 
branches, Clark's mill, and Moss 
branch, which unite at Wrangle- 
boro', in Galloway t-ship, Gloucester 
CO. ; the whole length of the stream 
is about 9 miles. 

Nantuxet Creek, said to be more 
properly called Antuxet, Cumberland 
CO., rises on the boundary line be- 
tween Fairfield and Downe t-ships, 
and flows along the boundary, about 
9 miles to Nantuxet cove, in the De- 



laware ; it is navigable near four 
miles to Nantuxet, or Newport Land- 
ing. 

Nantuxet Village. (See New- 
port.) 

Nantuxet Cove, inlet to Nantuxet 
creek, from the Delaware bay. 

Nashanic Creek, a tributary of 
the south branch of the Raritan river, 
rises by several branches at the foot 
of a range of hills on the N. W. 
line of Amv/ell t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
and flows by an easterly course to its 
recipient in Hillsborough t-ship, So- 
merset CO., giving motion to several 
mills. It is a large stream, and 
with its several tributaries drains the 
easterly part of the wide valley be- 
tween the Nashanic or Rock moun- 
tain, and Mount Carmel. 

Nashanic Mountain, or Rock 
Mountain, part of the chain of trap 
hills which extends from below Lam- 
bertsville, on the Delaware, to the 
Raritan river, near Somerville: it is 
the largest and most prominent of the 
chain; is about 11 miles long and 
about 3 miles over at its widest part. 
Rock brook, a tributary of Beden's 
brook, almost passes through it. 

Nashanic, small stream on the 
N. W. foot of the Nashanic moun- 
tain, 7 miles S. W. from Somerville; 
contains a Dutch Reformed church, 
a store and tavern, and 10 or 12 
dwellings; soil, clay, sandy loam, 
and red shale. 

Nesochcaque- Creek, tributaiy of 
Atsion river, rises by several branches 
in Gloucester, Hereford, and Gallo- 
way t-ships, Gloucester co., and unites 
with the river, at Pleasant Mills, in it 
the last named t-ship. 

Nevisink Hills, on the Atlantic 
coast, and extending across the north- 
ern part of the county of Monmouth. 
Adjacent to the ocean these hills are ' 
between 300 and 400 feet high. They 
consist in the higher strata of sandy 
earth, coloured by oxide of iron, and 
imbedding reddish brown sand and 
pudding stone, cemented by iron, rest- 
ing on banks of oyster shells and 
other marine relics, blended with 
clay and sea mud. A small portion 



NEW 



189 



NEW 



of these hills only, is cultivated, 
being rough, broken and generally 
covered with wood. (See Introduc- 
tory Chapter, I'ol. 1 and 2.) 

Nevisink or Carpenter'' s Point, a 
small neck of land formed by the De- 
laware and Nevisink rivers, at the 
extreme northern point of the state. 

Nevisink River, called above tide 
water Swimming river, rises by seve- 
ral branches in Freehold, Shrews- 
bury, and Middletown t-ships, Mon- 
mouth CO. The main stream flows 
about 13 miles to the salt water estua- 
ry or arm of Sandy Hook bay ; which 
is about 5 miles long, to ihe S. E. 
base of the Nevisink hills, varying in 
breadth from | to 1^. Swimming 
river and its north and south branches 
are mill streams, on which are seve- 
ral mills. The Nevisink is separated 
from the Shrewsbury river, by a 
neck of land about 2 miles in breadth. 

Newark, p-t., and seat of justice, 
Newark t-ship, Essex co., on the 
right bank of the Passaic river, be- 
tween 4 and 5 miles by the course of 
the stream from Newark bay, 9 miles 
a little N. of W. from New York, 
215 N. E. from W. C, and 49 from 
Trenton ; stands upon a plain of fer- 
tile loam, resting on old red sand- 
stone, bounded westward by rising 
ground which was probably the pri- 
mitive bank of the river. Lat. 40° 
44' N., long. 2° 44' E. from W. C. 
This is, perhaps, the most flourishing 
town of the state. In 1830 its popu- 
lation, t-ship included, amounted to 
10,953, and in November, 1833, it is 
ascertained to be nearly 15,000; the 
increase having been greater during 
the last three years than in the ten 
• preceding. There are 1712 dwell- 
ings, of which 1518 are wooden, and 
194 stone and brick. 109 dwellings 
were built in 1832, and as many in 
1833; many of them large and ele- 
gant. The town is remarkable for 
its manufactures, with which it sup- 
plies the market throughout the United 
States ; and in which the great pro- 
portion of the inhabitants are en- 
gaged. The principal of these are sad- 
dlery and harness, carriages, shoes, 



and hats. Sixteen extensive manu- 
factories of saddlery and harness, em- 
ploy 272 hands, and a capital of 
$217,300, yielding an annual pro- 
duct of $346,280, and paying wages 
$70,000 annually. These are inde- 
pendent of the coach makers who 
make their own saddlery and harness. 
Ten carriage manufactories have 779 
workmen, an aggregate capital of 
$202,500, and produce $593,000 
annually. These establishments, ge- 
nerally, do all their work, including . 
plating, lamp making, &c. Eighteen 
shoe manufactories engage 1075 
hands, to whom they pay $175,000 
yearly wages; have a capital of 
$300,000, whose annual product is 
estimated at $607,450 : they cut up 
annually, $400,000 worth of leather. 
The amount of sales of boots and 
shoes, in 1832, was $900,000; the 
balance, over the product of the town, 
having been procured abroad, in or- 
der to supply the orders. This large 
amount is exclusive of the manu- 
facture for home consumption, which, 
it is supposed, employs 225 additional 
hands. Nine hat manufactories em- 
ploy 487 hands, a capital of $106,000 ; 
pay $142,000 in yearly wages, and 
make an annual return of $551,700. 
Thirteen tanneries employ 103 hands, 
a capital of $78,000, and return an- 
nually, $503,000. Beside these pro- 
minent manufactories, there are others 
of less, though great consideration. — 
Thus, there arc two soap and can- 
dle manufactories, with a capital of 
$21,000, whose gross product is 
$105,000; 7 iron and brass founde- 
ries, employing 125 men; 2 exten- 
sive founderies of malleable iron, em- 
ploying 60 men ; 2 coach spring fac- 
tories, employing 50 hands ; besides 
2 others connected with the carriage- 
making establishments; 5 tin, sheet 
iron, and stove factories ; 1 hardware 
manufactory, employing 50 work- 
men ; and 2 patent leather manufac- 
tories. There are, also, more than 
350 tailors engaged in making gar- 
ments for the home and southern 
markets ; 140 carpenters, 26 sash and 
blind makers, 100 masons, 60 cabi- 



NEW 



190 



NEW 



netmakers, 51 coach lace weavers, 
25 chairmakei-s, 42 trunkmakers, 9 
looking glass manufacturers, 12 stone 
and marble cutters, 10 iron turners, 
50 jewellers, and many other species 
of handicrafts, of which we are unable 
to give particular details, such as 
smitheries, wagon-making, manufac- 
tories of saddle trees, watches and 
clocks, segars, silver plating; planes, 
locks, guns, whips, brushes, cooper- 
ing, ploughs, pumps, &c.; with the 
usual number of butchers, bakers, 
confectioners, painters, glaziers, book 
binders, &c. &c. 

There are here also, 2 breweries, 
2 grist mills, 1 extensive steam saw 
mill, 5 saw mills driven by horses, 1 
distillery, 2 rope walks, 1 pottery, 
and 2 dyeing establishments. 

Four printing offices employing 22 
hands, from which 3 weekly and 1 
daily newspapers are issued; 40 
schools with 1669 scholars; and 
about 1500 scholars receive instruc- 
tion in the Sunday schools ; 4 Pres- 
byterian churches with large congre- 
gations, beside a small Presbyterian 
congregation of coloured persons. 
The first Presbyterian church was 
founded in 1787, by the Rev. Alex- 
ander M'Whorter, D. D., who pre- 
sided over the congregation from 
1759 until his death in 1807, nearly 
a half a century; public worship 
was first offered in it 1st Jan. 1794: 
The second Presbyterian church in 
1808; the third, in 1824; and the 
fourth, in 1831, 1832. One Episcopal 
church, with a large and increasing 
congregation, which was commenced 
about 1734, by Col. Isaiah Ogden and 
others, who left the Congregation- 
alists in consequence of the rigour 
with which his conduct, in saving 
his grain in a wet harvest, by labour- 
ing on the Sabbath, was condemned. 
The present house for worship was 
erected in 1808, on a site occupied 
by a first and older building: Two 
Baptist churches ; the congregation of 
the first was constituted in 1801, and 
the church built in 1804, was rebuilt 
in 1810; the second church was con- 
structed in 1833 : 1 Dutch Reformed 



congregration, recently organized, 
with a settled minister : 2 large Me- 
thodist Episcopal churches ; the first 
congregation was organized in 1806, 
and the first chapel built in 1810; 
the second chapel was built in 1832 : 
1 Primitive Methodist church, and 1 
African Episcopal Methodist chapel, 
built in 1810: a Roman Catholic 
church, built in 1824. Of these 
churches the first and second Pres- 
byterian, the Episcopal and the Catho- 
lic, are of stone ; the third Presbyte- 
rian, of brick ; the others of wood : 
the fourth Presbyterian, second Bap- 
tist, and second Methodist Episcopal 
churches are remarkably large, and 
some of them have great architectu- 
ral beauty. 

Beside the churches, the only pub- 
lic building of the town, of much im- 
portance, is the court-house and pri- 
son, of brick, under the same roof — 
in which the keepers' apartments and 
cells of the prisoners^re on the ground 
floor; the court room, jury rooms, 
and sheriff's office, on the second; 
and the apartment for insolvents on 
the third. The offices of the clerk 
and surrogate are also in the same 
building. An election in 1807 for de- 
termining the location of the court- 
house, is still remembered by the in- 
habitants, as the most exciting re- 
corded in their annals. The contest 
was between Newark and Day's Hill. 
By a construction given to the state 
constitution, the -women were then 
suffered to vote, and they seem to 
have been so delighted with this pri- 
vilege of exercising their wills, that 
they were unwilling to circumscribe 
it within the legal limit ; many ladies 
voting, we are told, 7 or 8 times, un- 
der various disguises. 

Of literary institutions in addition 
to the schools, we may name an ap- 
prentices' library, a circulating libra- 
ry, and the mechanics' association for 
literary and scientific improvement, 
which possesses a valuable library 
and philosophical apparatus. It is 
to the credit of the town, that the 
New Jersey college was located here 
for several years subsequent to 1747, 



NEW 



191 



NEW 



under the charge of its second presi- 
dent, the Rev. Aaron Burr, father of 
the ex-vice President of the United 
, States; who was in 1736, called to 
the pastoral charge of the first Pres- 
byterian church, and was highly dis- 
tinguished for his learning, energy, 
and public spirit, which contributed 
much to the growth and prosperity of 
the town. 

The commerce of Newark, alrea- 
dy considerable, rapidly increases. 
It is a port of delivery, and efforts 
are used to make it a port of entry. 
It employs 65 vessels, averaging 
100 tons, in the coasting trade; 
8 or 9 of which are constantly en- 
gaged in transporting hither various 
building materials. The Morris ca- 
nal, which runs through the town, 
gives it many advantages for internal 
trade, for which purpose 25 canal 
boats are supplied by the inhabitants. 
The facilities for communication with 
New York, render the town a suburb 
of that great city. A steam-boat 
plies twice a day between the two 
places, carrying an average of 75 
passengers each trip, each way ; two 
lines of stages communicate between 
them almost hourly, conveying at 
least 800 passengers a week ; and 
this communication will be still more 

' frequent and facile, when the New 
Jersey Rail-road, now rapidly pro- 
gressing, shall have been completed. 
The Directors of the Rail-road Com- 
pany have not only run the road 

■' through part of the town, but have 
opened a splendid avenue of 120 feet 
wide, by its side, and propose to cross 
the Passaic river, about the centre of 
the town, upon a wooden bridge on 
stone abutments, which will give an 
additional trait of beauty to the place- 
There are three banks here, viz. 
"T/ie Neivark Banking and Insu- 

■ ranee Company,^'' incorporated in 
1804, with an authorized capital of 
$800,000, of which $.350,000 have 
■" been paid in ; " The State Bank at 
■Newark,^'' incorporated in 1812, with 
an authorized capital of $400,000, of 
which 8280,000 have been paid in ; 
and "TAe Mechanics Bank at New- 



ark,''"' incorporated in 1831, with an 
authorized capital of $250,000, of 
which $200,000 have been paid in. 
During the year 1833, the business 
of the town, manufacturing and com- 
mercial, has greatly increased, and 
consequently the demand for banking 
capital ; to meet which, one of the 
banks has called in a further instal- 
ment, and another has availed itself 
of the privilege given by charter, to 
double its capital. The rise in the 
value of real estate, the sure indica- 
tion of prosperity, has been astonish- 
ingly great — a remarkable instance 
of which is given us in November, 
1833; where a property was sold at 
public auction for $10,000, which 
but five years, previously, was pur- 
chased by the late vendor for $60! 
A whaling and sealing company has 
been incorporated, (October, 1833) 
which is vigorously prosecuting its 
object. 

The town is laid out upon broad 
streets, and has a great and salu- 
brious ornament, in the greens or 
commons, which are shaded by noble 
trees, and bounded by the principal 
avenues. It is abundantly supplied 
with wholesome water, by a joint 
stock company, from a fine and steady 
spring, about a mile distant ; and se- 
ven miles of iron pipes have already 
been laid for the accommodation of 
the inhabitants. The present style 
of building, copied from that of the 
great cities, is costly, elegant, and 
commodious. Granite basement sto- 
ries, in the places of business, admit 
of convenient stores, whilst lofty edi- 
fices give accommodation to families. 
Houses designed for private residence 
are now generally of brick, neat, and 
frequently splendid. 

We close this interesting account 
of this thriving town, for which we 
arc indebted to a committee* of the 
Young Men's Society, &c., with a 
brief historical notice, much of which 
has been abstracted from the town 
records. 

* Consisting of Messrs. A. Armstrong, 
C. H. Halsey, S. H. Pennington, D. A. 
Hays, and J. B. Congar. 



NEW 



192 



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Soon after the arrival of Governor 
Carteret, in 1665, he published in 
New England, and elsewhere, the 
" Concessions" of the proprietaries, 
and invited settlers to the new colony. 
The first fruit of this measure was 
the settlement of Elizabethtown. In 
the succeeding year, agents wei*e des- 
patched from Guilford, Brandford, 
and Milford, in Connecticut, to sur- 
vey the country, and to ascertain the 
state of the Indians who inhabited it. 
Upon their favourable report, particu- 
larly, of that district " beyond the 
marshes lying to the north of Eliza- 
bethtown," they were empowered to 
contract for a township, to select a 
proper site for a town, and to make 
arrangements for an immediate set- 
tlement. Thirty families from the 
above named towns and New Haven, 
embarked in the same year, and after 
a passage, as long and tedious as a 
voyage in the present time across 
the Atlantic, arrived in the Passaic 
river. Their landing was opposed 
by the Hackensack tribe of Indians, 
who claimed the soil which the go- 
vernor had granted to the emigrants, 
and insisted on a full compensation 
therefor, previous to its settlement. 
The governor not being able to re- 
move this obstacle, the discouraged 
voyagers prepared to return ; but were 
at length, by the solicitation of the 
governor and others, induced to hold 
a council with the Indians, from 
whom they eventually purchased a 
tract of country on the west side of 
the Passaic river, extending from 
Woquakick (or Bound) creek, on the 
south, to its fountain head; and 
thence westerly about seven miles to 
the ridge of the Great mountain, 
called by the Indians (Wacchung) ; 
thence by the said ridge north to the 
line of Acquackanonck t-ship; thence 
east by that line to the mouth of 
( Yantokah) Third river ; thence down 
the Passaic river and bay to the 
place of beginning. These limits 
formed the original t-ship of Newark, 
comprehending the present t-ship of 
that name, and the t-ships of Spring- 
field, Livingston, Orange, Bloomfield, 



and Caldwell. The price of this 
purchase was £130 New England 
currency, 12 Indian blankets, and 12 
Indian guns. The title thus derived 
from the aborigines, was subsequent- 
ly set up against that of the proprie- 
taries, and was the source of much 
litigation and forcible contention, 
which for many years disturbed the 
peace of East Jersey. 

The settlers at first segregated 
themselves according to the towns 
whence they came ; but the sense of 
mutual danger soon induced a change 
in this respect. On the 21st May, 
1666, delegates from the several 
towns resolved to form one t-ship, 
to provide rules for its government, 
and " to be of one heart and hand, 
in endeavouring to carry on their 
spiritual concernments, as well as 
their civil and town affairs, accord- 
ing to God and godly govern- 
ment." And for the more speedy 
accomplishment of their desires, " a 
committee of eleven were appointed 
to order and settle the concernments 
of the people of the place." These 
rules had a full proportion of the pu- 
ritanical spirit of the people who made 
them, and of that religious intolerance 
which was the distinguishing trait 
of the inhabitants of Massachusetts, 
whence they were originally derived ; 
contrasting strongly with the liberality 
of the " Concessions" of Berkeley and 
Carteret, to which these emigrants 
were indebted for the very soil on 
which they had alighted. " No per- 
son could become a freeman or bur- 
gess of their town, or vote in its elec- 
tions, but such as was a member of 
some one of the Congregational 
churches : — nor be chosen to the ma- 
gistracy, nor to any other military or 
civil office. " But all others admitted 
to be planters, were allowed to in- 
herit and to enjoy all other privileges, 
save those above excepted." With 
a singular disregard of the rights of 
the proprietaries of New Jersey, and 
apparently with a resolution of dis- 
claiming all fealty towards them, and 
of depending on their Indian grants, 
they, also, resolved " to be ruled by 



NEW 



193 



NEW 



such officers as the town should an- 
nually choose fi'om among them- 
selves, and to be governed by the 
same laws as they had, in the places 
from whence they came." At this 
period, (1667,) there were 65 effi- 
cient men in the settlement, beside 
women and children. 

At the first distribution of land, 
each man took by lot six acres as a 
homestead ; and as the families from 
each of the several original towns, 
had established themselves at short 
distances from those of other towns, 
the allotments were made to them in 
their respective quarters of the new 
settlement. Seven individuals, select- 
ed for the purpose, assessed on each 
settler his portion of the general 
purchase money. The lands were 
eventually divided into three ranges ; 
each range into lots, and parcelled 
by lottery ; first setting apart certain 
portions, called tradesmen's lots ; one 
of which was to be given to the first 
of every trade, who should settle per- 
manently in the place ; reserving 
also, the present Upper Green of 
the town for a market place, and the 
Lower Green for a military parade; 
and that part of the town in and adja- 
cent to Market street, where the tan- 
neries now are, then a swamp, for a 
public watering place for cattle. This 
last portion having been sold by 
the town, is altogether in possession 
of individual owners. 

In 1767, the Rev. Abraham Pier- 
son, the first minister, commenced 
his official duties here. He is said 
to have been " episcopally ordained" 
at Newark, in South Britain, and to 
have named this town after that of 
his ordination ; by which name it 
was sometimes called abroad, but 
was known at othei's by that of Mil- 
ford. In the next year, the first 
"meeting house," 26 feet wide, 34 
long, and 13 between the joists, was 
erected; the town voting £30, and 
directing that every individual should 
; perform such labour as a committee 
of five might require, towards its 
completion. 

Robert Treat, and Jasper Crane, 

2B 



were ciiosen the first magistrates, in 
1668; and representatives to the first 
assembly of New Jersey, convened at 
Elizabethtown, 26th May, of the 
same year ; by which the first state 
tax, £l2 sterling, of which the pro- 
portion of Newark was 40s., was 
laid. Mr. Treat was also chosen first 
recorder or town clerk; and after a 
residence here of many years, return- 
ed to Connecticut, where he became 
governor, and died. The town also 
established a court of judicature, hold- 
ing annually one session, on the last 
Wednesday of February, and another 
on the 2d Wednesday of September ; 
having cognizance of all causes with- 
in its limits. On the 24th May, 1669, 
the first selectmen, five in number, 
were chosen. The number was sub- 
sequently increased to seven, who 
continued to administer affairs until 
1736, when the present township offi- 
cers were created by law. And in 
this year Indian hostility appears to 
have displayed itself in petty robbe- 
ries and depredations, the increase 
of which, in 1675, induced the towns- 
men to fortify their church as a place 
of refuge, in case of general attack, 
and to take proper measures of watch 
and ward. 

On the 23d October, 1676, a war- 
rant was granted by the Governor, 
for 200 acres of land and meadow, 
for parsonage ground, and also, for 
so much as was necessary for land- 
ing places, school house, town house, 
market place, 6z;c.; and in 1696, a 
patent from the proprietaries to the 
town, covered all the lots, in various 
parts of the township, called " Parson- 
age Lands ;" which have been since 
divided, with some difficulty and con- 
tention, among five churches; viz. 
the three Presbyterian, and the Epis- 
copal, at Newark, and the First Pres- 
byterian church, at Orange. 

In 1721, the first freestone was 
quarried for market ; and this article, 
celebrated for its excellent quality, 
has long been exported in great quan- 
tities. 

At the commencement of the revo- 
lutionary war, the town was much 



NEW 



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divided ujx)!! the questions agitating 
the country ; and on the Declaration 
of Independence, by the State, seve- 
ral families, among whom was Mr. 
Brown, pastor of the Episcopal church, 
who had ministered from its founda- 
tion, joined the royalists in New 
York. From its vicinage to that 
strong hold of the enemy, the town 
suffered greatly, by his visitations, 
made by regular troops and marau- 
ders. On the night of the 25th of 
January, 1780, a regiment of 500 
men, commanded by Colonel Lumm, 
came from New York, following the 
river on the ice, and burned the aca- 
demy, then standing on the upper 
green. This was a stone building, 
two stories high, with apartments for 
the teacher. On the same night an- 
other British party, unknown to the 
first, fired the Presbyterian church, 
at Elizabethtown,the light from which 
affrighted the incendiaries at Newark, 
and caused their hasty retreat. They 
carried away with them Joseph Hed- 
dens, Esq., an active whig, who had 
zealously opposed their previous de- 
predations ; dragging him from a 
sickbed, and compelling him to follow, 
with no other than his night cloth- 
ing. The party returned by the 
route by which they came; and a 
soldier, more humane than his fel- 
lows, gave Mr. H. a blanket, a short 
time before they reached Paules 
Hook. At this place Mr. H. was 
confined in a sugar house, where 
he perished in a few days, in conse- 
quence of the sufferings from that 
dreadful night. 

The prosperity of this enterprising 
and industrious town, is deservedly 
great ; and being founded on the 
indispensable manufactures of the 
country, will necessarily progress 
with the general population, and with 
such increased momentum as the 
highly stimulated spirit of its inhabi- 
tants will not fail to give it. 

Newark, t-ship, Essex co., bound- 
on the N. by Bloomfield t-ship ; N. 
E. by the Passaic river, which sepa- 
rates it from Bergen co. ; E. by New- 
ark bay; S. by Elizabeth and Union 



t-ships; and W. by Orange t-ship. 
Greatest length, E. and W. 7 miles; 
breadth, N. and S. 6 miles; area, 
about 12,000 acres; surface level; 
soil marsh and red shale; a lar^^e 
proportion of this t-ship lying N. of 
Boundbrook, and E. of the turnpike 
road from Elizabethtown to Newark, 
is salt marsh ; the remainder consists 
of well improved land. Population, 
in 1830, including the town of New- 
ark, 10,953. In 1832, there were 
2500 taxables, 1114 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 ; 
527 single men, 95 merchants, 4 
grist mills, 3 saw mills, 3 furnaces, 
1 fulling-mill, 26 tan vats, 1 wool 
factory, and 1 distillery. The t-ship 
paid in state tax, $933 72 ; county, 
i2443 92 ; poor tax, $2500 ; road tax, 
$500. 

Newark Bay, a large sheet of 
water, of 7 miles in length, and 2 in 
breadth, between Bergen and Essex 
COS., and separated from the New 
York, by a strip of land one mile 
wide, but communicating therewith, 
by the Kill-van-Kuhl. The Passaic 
and Hackensack rivers debouch in 
this bay. Its easterly shore is bold 
and clean, but its westerly, has a 
broad margin of salt marsh. 

New Barhadoes, t-ship, Bergen 
CO., bounded N. by Harrington; E. 
and S. E. by Hackensack ; S. W. by 
Lodi, and W. by Saddle river t-ships. 
Greatest length,"^ N. and S. 7 ; breadth, 
E. and W. 4 miles; area, 11,500 
acres; surface generally level, but 
towards the N. there is some undu- 
lating ground ; soil, sandy loam, and 
red shale, extremely well cultivated, 
and productive in grass and vegeta- 
bles for the New York market. The 
farms are generally small, and re- 
markable for their neatness. Most 
of the dwellings are built in the sim- 
ple Dutch cottage style, with a single 
story, high gable ends, and project- 
ing pent-houses. The t-ship is drain- 
ed on the E. boundary, by the Hack- 
ensack river, on which are the post- 
towns of New Milford, and the ham- 
lets of Old and New Bridge ; and on 
the W. line, by Saddle river. The 



NEW 



195 



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town of Hackensack, the county seat 
of justice, lies in the S. E. angle. 
Population in 1830, 1693. In 1832, 
there were in the t-ship, 440 taxablcs, 
85 householders, whose ratablcs did 
not exceed $30,- 40 single men, 15 
merchants, 5 grist mills, 5 saw mills, 
2 carding machines, 1 fulling mill, 
1 wool factory, 28 tan vats, 315 
horses, and 548 neat cattle, under 3 
years old; and paid taxes, state, 
$188 90; county, $339 97; poor, 
$500; school, $100; road, $1000. 

New Bargaintown, Howell t-ship, 
Monmouth co., upon Manasquan 
river, 9 miles S. E. of Freehold; 
contains a grist mill, and some half 
dozen dwellings, surrounded by a 
sandy soil, and pine forest. 

Newbold's Island, in the Dela- 
ware river, about 2 miles below Bor- 
dentown, and J a mile from White 
Hill, in Mansfield t-ship, Burlington 
CO.; has a fertile alluvial soil, and a 
fine fishery. 

New Bridge, hamlet, of Hacken- 
sack t-ship, Bergen co., on the Hack- 
ensack river, 2 miles above Hacken- 
sack town; contains a grist and saw 
mill, a store, tavern, and 10 or 12 
dwellings. Surrounding country, 
level ; soil, fertile loam. 

New Brunsioich, p-t. and city, and 
seat of justice for Middlesex co., lying 
on the right bank of the river Rari- 
tan, 15 miles from the head of the 
bay at Amboy, 40 miles by water 
and 25 by land S. W. from New 
York, 26 N. E. from Trenton. The 
city is partly in North Brunswick 
t-ship, Middlesex co., and partly in 
Franklin t-ship, Somerset co., the 
post-road or Albany street forming 
the line between the t-ships and coun- 
ties. 

At the close of the seventeenth 
century, the place where the city 
now stands, was covered with woods, 
and called after the name of its pro- 
prietor, " Prigmore's Swamp." The 
first inhabitant, of whom any account 
is preserved, was one Daniel Cooper, 
who resided where the post-road 
crossed the river, and kept the ferry 
which afterwards, in 1713, when the 



county line was drawn, was called 
Inian's Ferry. This ferry was grant- 
ed by the proprietors, 2d Nov. 1697, 
for the lives of Inian and wife, and 
the survivor, at a rent of 5 shillings 
sterlmg per annum. One of the first 
houses is said to be still standing, at 
the foot of Town lane; and some 
other buildings, erected at an early 
period, may be distinguished by their 
antique structure, in Burnet and Al- 
bany streets. The first inhabitants 
of European origin, were from Long 
Island. About 1730 several Dutch 
families emigrated from Albany, 
bringing with them their building 
matei'ials, in imitation of their ances- 
tors, who imported their bricks, tiles, 
&c. from Holland. Some of them 
built their houses upon the present 
post-road, which thence acquired the 
name of Albany street ; though origi- 
nally it was called French street, in 
honour of Philip Fi'ench, Esq. who 
held a large tract of land on the north 
side of it. About this time the name 
of New Brunswick was given to the 
place, which had, hitherto, been dis- 
tinguished as " The River." 

The city was incorporated in 1784, 
and is now divided into five wards. 
The old market, called Coenties' mar- 
ket, was of ancient date, and stood in 
Commerce Square; the present was 
built in 1811. The court-house was 
erected in 1793; the bridge, original- 
ly, in 1796, and was rebuilt by a joint 
stock company in 1811, at the cost 
of $86,687. It is a wooden structure 
about 1000 feet in length, divided into 
two carriage ways by a wood parti- 
tion, and rests on eleven stone piers 
and abutments. 

A portion of the town lying imme- 
diately on the river, is low, and the 
streets are narrow, crooked, and lined 
principally with small frame houses, 
extending for near half a mile from 
the bridge to the landings for steam- 
boats. Albany street is a broad, well 
paved thoroughfare, ornamented with 
some excellent buildings, and the 
streets upon the upper shelving bank, 
are generally wide, and the houses 
neat and commodious ; many of them 



NEW 



196 



NEW 



expensively built, and surrounded by 
gardens. The streets generally, are 
paved with boulders. Those unpaved 
are, in the rainy season, scarcely 
passable, the red sandy loam of the 
soil, being easily wrought into deep 
paste. From the top of the hill or 
bank, especially from the site of Rut- 
gers' college, there is a wide prospect 
of miles, terminating on the north by 
the Green Brook mountains, and on 
the east by the Raritan bay. 

The tide in the river extends to 
Raritan Landing, about two miles 
above the town ; but immediately 
above the bridge, at the town, the 
river is fordable. At this point the 
ice, when broken up in the spring, 
sometimes lodging, forms a dam, 
which raising the water many feet 
above its usual level, causes it to 
overflow the lower streets. The De- 
laware and Raritan canal has its out- 
let here, by a lock of 12 feet lift, into 
a basin 200 feet wide, made in the 
bed of the river, and extending a mile 
and a quarter in front of the town, 
where vessels of 200 tons burden 
may lie. From the canal a very im- 
portant hydraulic power will be ob- 
tained, under a fall of 14 feet, with 
all the water of the Raritan river, 
and all the surplus water of the canal. 
Consequently, New Brunswick may, 
at no distant period, claim considera- 
tion among the manufacturing towns 
of the United States. 

The city contains between 5 and 
6000 inhabitants, about 750 dwell- 
ings, 120 large stores, among which 
are 12 extensive grain stores; 20 ta- 
verns, 12 practising attorneys, and 8 
physicians ; 1 Methodist church, built 
in 1811, and another belonging to 
blacks of the same denomination : A 
Dutch Reformed church, the present 
house being the third pertaining to 
that profession ; the first was built on 
the corner of Schuremem and Burnet 
streets, before the year 1717; the 
second, on the site of the present, be- 
tween the years 1750 and 1783, dur- 
ing the ministry of the Rev. Johan- 
nes Leydt ; and the present, com- 
menced in 1812, was completed in 



1828, by the construction of a brick 
stuccoed steeple — a Presbyterian con- 
gregation occupying their second 
house for worship; their first was 
built before, or during the ministry 
of the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, who be- 
came their pastor in 1726, in Burnet 
street, below Lyell's Brook ; and was 
wantonly destroyed by the British 
soldiers in 1776 or 1777; the pre- 
sent edifice was erected in 1784 ; — 
The Episcopal church, called Christ 
church, was built in 1743, the steeple 
in 1773 ; but the latter was burned to 
the stone basement in 1802, and re- 
built in the same year: the Baptist 
church was erected in 1810, and a 
small Catholic chapel in 1832. There 
are in the town a college called Rut- 
gers' college, and grammar school 
connected with it ; 2 academies ; an 
extensive boarding and day school for 
young ladies ; a Lancasterian school, 
incorporated and endowed with about 
$4000, and several common schools. 
The town has an extensive trade. 
The enterprising inhabitants have 
opened a ready communication with 
Easton and the valley of the Dela- 
ware, by the Jersey turnpike road; 
and have made it the depot of the 
produce from a large tract of fertile 
country ; its business will be greatly 
increased by the trade of the Dela- 
ware and Raritan canal. There are 
now 12 sloops employed in its com- 
merce, and 300,000 bushels of Indian 
corn, and 50,000 bushels of rye are 
annually exported. Two lines of 
stages connected with steam-boats 
here and at Lamberton, on the Dela- 
ware, run daily from the town, and 
stages depart hence daily to various 
parts of the country ; and communi- 
cation is had four times, daily, by 
steam-boats, with New York. There 
are now two banks established here : 
the State Bank incorporated in 1812, 
with an authorized capital of $400,000 
of which 88,000 have been called in ; 
and the New Brunswick Bank, incor- 
porated in 1807, with a capital of 
$200,000, 90,000 of which have been 
paid. 

There is a vein of copper ore adjft- 



NEW 



197 



NEW 



cent to the town, which was formerly 
very extensively wrought, but which 
has been for many years abandoned. 
For an account of this mine, see pre- 
fatory chapter, page 10. 

Neic Durham, village on the turn- 
pike-road leading from Hoboken to 
Hackensack, Bergen t-ship, Bergen 
CO., 3 miles from the one and seven 
from the other ; contains 2 taverns, a 
store, and some 10 or 12 dwellings. 

Neio Durham, small village of 
Piscataway t-ship, Middlesex co., 5 
miles east of north from New Bruns- 
wick, and on the turnpike road lead- 
ing from Perth Amboy toward Bound 
Brook ; contains a tavern, store, and 
some half dozen dwellings. 

New Egypt, p-t. of Upper Free- 
hold t-ship, Monmouth co., on the 
Crosswicks creek, 23 miles S. W. 
from Monmouth Court House, 170 N. 
E. from W. C, and 16 miles S. E. 
from Trenton ; contains about 20 
dwellings, 2 taverns, 2 or 3 stores, 
valuable grist and saw mills, and a 
Methodist church within a mile of the 
town. The country around it is le- 
vel; soil, of clay and sand. The 
name is derived from the excellent 
market the mills formerly afforded 
for corn. 

New England, village of Fairfield 
t-ship, Cumberland co., near Co- 
hansey creek, 5 miles S. of Bridge- 
ton; contains some 12 or 15 dwell- 
ings, scattered along the road within 
the space of a mile; near it is a Me- 
thodist church. 

New England CreeJc, a small 
stream of Lower t-ship. Cape May 
CO., flowing into the Delaware bay. 

New Freedom, small village of 
Gloucester t-ship, Gloucester co., on 
the road from Camden to Great Egg 
.Harbour river, 18 miles S. E. from 
the former, and 14 from the latter; 
contains a Methodist meeting, a glass 
manufactory, a tavern and store, and 
some 12 or 15 dwellings. It is in 
the midst of the pines, on Inskeep's 
branch of Great Egg Harbour river. 

Newfoundland, is the post-office of 
Longwood Valley, 17 miles N. W. 
from Morristown, 245 N. E. from 



W. C, and 79 from Trenton; there v 
is a Presbyterian church here. 

Neiv Germantown, p-t. of Tewkes- 
bury t-ship, Hunterdon co., on the 
turnpike-road leading from Laming- 
ton to Schooley's mountain, 14 miles 
N. E. from Flemington, 45 from 
Trenton, and 211 from W. C. ; con- 
tains about 30 dwellings, 1 tavern, 
3 stores, 1 Lutheran, 1 Methodist, 
and a Presbyterian, church and an 
academy. The town lies near the 
foot of a spur of the Musconetcong 
mountain, and is surrounded by a 
rich and highly cultivated limestone 
soil, in which there are masses of bres- 
cia or pudding limestone, which are 
perhaps equal in beauty, to that in 
the capitol at Washington. 

New Hampton, p-t. of Lebanon 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., in the N. W. 
angle on the S. side of Musconetcong 
creek, and on the turnpike leading to 
Oxford Furnace, 18 miles N. W. 
from Flemington, 41 from Trenton, 
and 200 from W. C. ; contains 1 
grist mill, 1 saw mill, 2 stores, 3 ta- 
verns, and from 20 to 25 dwellings. 

New Hamburg, post-office, Ber- 
gen CO. 

New Market, village of Amwell 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., 8 miles S. of 
Flemington; contains a tavern and 
store, 6 or 8 dwellings. Snydertown, 
a small hamlet, divided from it by a 
branch of Stony creek, contains a 
grist mill, and 2 or 3 dwellings; the 
surrounding country is hilly, stony, 
and poor. 

Neio Market, formerly called Qiiih- 
bletotcn, village of Piscataway t-ship, 
Middlesex co., 7 miles N. of New 
Brunswick, on the left bank of Cedar 
creek; contains a grist mill, a tavern, 
a store, and some 20 dwellings, in a 
fertile country of red shale. 

Netc Milford, village of Hacken- 
sack t-ship, Bergen co., in the ex- 
treme N. W. angle of the t-ship, 4 
miles N. of Hackensacktown, upon 
the Hackensack river; contains 2 
mills, some half dozen dwellings, a 
store and tavern ; suiTounding coun- 
try, level ; soil, sandy loam, with red 
shale, well cultivated and fertile. 



NEW 



198 



NEW 



New Mills. (See Pemberton.) 

Newport Creek, rises on the con- 
fines of Stow creek and Greenwich 
t-ships, Cumberland co., and flows 
westerly about 6 miles into Stow 
creek, forming the south boundary of 
the first, and north boundary of the 
second t-ship. 

Newport, or Nantuxet, said to be 
more properly called " Antvxet,^'' 
p-t. of Dover t-ship, Cumberland co., 
on the Nantuxet creek, 5 miles above 
its mouth, 10 miles S. from Bridgeton, 
187 N. E. from W. C, and 81 S. of 
Trenton ; contains from 20 to 30 
houses, 1 tavern and store. This 
place is noted as having been the re- 
sort of refugees and tories during the 
revolution. 

New Prospect, p-t. of Franklin 
t-ship, on the Hohokus creek, 241 
miles N. E. from W. C, 74 from 
Trenton, and UN. W. from Hack- 
ensack ; very pleasantly situated upon 
high ground, on a fertile soil, and in 
the centre of a thriving manufactur- 
ing settlement; what may appropri- 
ately be called the town, contains 2 
taverns, 1 store, 2 paper mills, 2 
grist mills, and chair manufactory, 
with lathes running by water, and se- 
veral dwellings. 

New Providence t-ship, Essex co., 
bounded N. E-. b)^ Springfield t-ship ; 
E. by Westfield; S. by Warren 
t-ships, Somerset co. ; and W. and 
N. W. by the Passaic river; which 
separates it from Morris co. Cen- 
trally distant S. W. from Newark, 
13 miles; greatest length 6, breadth 
Similes; area, 7680 acres ; surface 
hilly, on the west mountainous ; soil, 
clay loam, and red shale; carbonate 
of lime is found on the east, near 
Green Brook, in which are metallic 
appearances supposed to be gold and 
silver, but are perhaps only the de- 
ceptive pyrites of iron or copper. 
Population in 1830, 910. In 1832, 
the t-ship contained 195 taxablcs, 45 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 ; 29 single men, 3 mer- 
chants, 3 grist mills, 5 saw mills, 1 
paper mill, 13 tan vats, 147 horses, 
and 503 neat cattle, above 3 years old; 



and it paid state tax, $97 43 ; county, 
$254 92; poor, 300; road, $702. 

Neio Providence, p-t. of preceding 
t-ship, 13 miles S. W. of Newark, 
218 N. E. from W. C, and 52 from 
Trenton ; contains a Presbyterian and 
Methodist church, a tavern, store, and 
several dwellings. 

Newton t-ship, Gloucester county, 
bounded N. by the city of Camden ; 
N. E. by Cooper's creek, which sepa- 
rates it from Waterford t-ship ; S. E. 
by Gloucester t-ship ; S. W. by Glou- 
cestertown t-ship; and W. by the 
river Delaware. Centrally distant N. 
E. fi'om Woodbury 6 miles ; great- 
est length E. and W. 6, breadth N. 
and S. less than 4 miles ; area, 9000 
acres; surface, level; soil, sandy; 
timber, chiefly yellow pine ; the cul- 
tivated land employed principally in 
raising vegetables and fruit for mar- 
ket. Besides Cooper's creek on the 
N. W., it has Newton creek on the 
S. W., which being stopped out, 
makes some valuable meadows. — 
Haddonfield and Rowantown are vil- 
lages of the t-ship, the first a post- 
town. Population in 1830, including, 
we presume, the city of Camden, 
3298. In 1832 the t-ship contained 
199 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30 ; 6 stores, 2 fisheries, 
3 grist mills, 1 saw mill, 1 fulling 
mill, 1 tan yard, 2 distilleries, 643 
neat cattle, and 287 horses and mules 
above 3 years of age. The t-ship 
paid county tax, '$532 44 ; poor tax, 
$266 47 ; road tax, $700. 

Newton Creek, Newton t-ship, 
Gloucester co., rises on the south 
border of the t-ship, and flows N. 
W. about 5 miles, to the river Dela- 
ware. The influx of the tide to the 
creek is stopped by dam and sluice, 
by which some valuable meadows 
are gained along its banks. 

Newton or Pine Creek, Galloway 
t-ship, Gloucester co., a tributary of 
Little Egg Harbour river. 

Newton t-ship, Sussex co., bound- 
ed N. by Frankford t-ship; E. by 
Hardiston t-ship; S. E. by Byram 
t-ship; S. W. by Green t-ship; W. 
by Stillwater, and N. W. by Sandi- 



NEW 



199 



NOR 



stone t-ships. Greatest length N. and 
S. 12, breadth E. and W. 10 miles; 
area, 65,920 acres; surface, hilly on 
the N. W. and S. E.; centrally, level. 
It is watered chiefly by the Paulins- 
kill, which flows S. W. through it, 
towards the Delaware. (See Paulins- 
kill.) The Newton and Bolton tui'n- 
pike road runs centrally through the 
t-ship, and through the town of New- 
ton ; and the turnpike road by Sparta 
to Milford, through the N. E. angle, 
on which lies the post-town of Lafay- 
ette. Population of the t-ship in 1830, 
3464; taxables in 1832, 530. There 
were in the t-ship in 1832, 140 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not ex- 
ceed $30 ; 14 stores, 14 run of stones 
for grinding grain, 6 carding ma- 
chines, 3 fulling mills, 650 horses 
and mules, and 1330 neat cattle, 
above the age of 3 years; 4 tan vats, 
8 distilleries. The t-ship paid in 
1832, state and county tax, $1156 
05 ; poor tax, $400 ; road tax, $1200. 
Newton, borough, county, and post- 
town, Newton t-ship, Sussex co., on 
the Newton and Bolton turnpike road, 
distant by the post-route 228 miles 
from W. C, and 75 from Trenton, 
60 from New York, 40 from Easton, 
and 100 from Philadelphia. The 
town lies upon the slope of a gentle 
hill, of mingled slate and limestone, 
at whose foot a spring sends forth the 
first waters of the Paulinskill, the 
chief river of the county, whose vo- 
lume is swelled by the tribute from 
Moore's Pond, covering 8 or 10 acres, 
distant about 1 mile S. E. from New- 
ton. There are several streets, and 
a large common or public lot, fronts 
the court-house and prison, and on 
which the public offices are erected. 
It contains about 130 dwellings, and 
900 inhabitants, 4 taverns, 8 exten- 
sive stores, 2 printing offices, at each 
■of which a weekly journal is publish- 
ed, viz. the New Jersey Herald, by 
Mr. Fitch, and the Sussex Register, 
by Mr. Hall ; a very large and com- 
lodious Presbyterian church, an 
Jpiscopal church, with a valuable 
llebe farm of 200 acres, near the 
town; and a Methodist church; 2 



seminaries, in which the classics are 
taught — one of which is incorporated 
as an academy; 6 common schools, 
3 Sunday schools, a public library, 
a lyceum for the promotion of the 
study of letters and science ; a bank 
with a capital of $100,000, establish- 
ed in a handsome building, specially 
erected for it. The court-house is a 
low and ancient looking stone build- 
ing, finished in 1765, having the pri- 
son in the basement story. There 
arc in the town 4 practising attor- 
neys, 4 physicians, and 2 resident 
clergymen. Some of the dwellings 
are very neat : the place has an air 
of business, and there is in fact a 
very considerable trade carried on 
with the surrounding country. In 
healthiness of situation, by the report 
of the inhabitants, it cannot be ex- 
celled. 

New Village, p-t., of Greenwich 
t-ship, Warren co., on the turnpike 
road from Schooley's mountain to 
Philipsburg, and on the Morris canal, 
by the post-route 196 miles from W. 
C, 52 from Trenton, and 10 miles 
from Belvidere, the county town ; 
contains 1 store, 1 tavern, and 10 or 
12 dwellings. It is surrounded by a 
fertile limestone country. 

New Vernon, p-t., of Morris t-ship, 
Morris co., 4 miles S. W. from Mor- 
ristown, 217 N. E. from W. C, and 
51 from Trenton; contains a store, 
an academy, and 4 dwellings. 

Nischisakauuck Creek, rises in 
Alexandria t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
and flows S. W. into the Delaware 
river, by a course of 7 or 8 miles, at 
the town of Alexandria. 

Norman'' s Pond, small lake of Har- 
distone t-ship, Sussex co., on the 
Hamburg or Wallkill mountain, near 
the town of Sparta, a principal source 
of the Wallkill river. The stream 
from the pond gives motion to a forge 
immediately on issuing from the lake. 

Northampton t-ship, Burlington 
CO., bounded N. E. by Springfield 
and Hanover t-ships; E. by Mon- 
mouth CO. ; S. by Little Egg Harbour 
and Washington t-ships ; W. by 
Evesham and Chester t-ships; and 



NOP 



200 



NOT 



N. W. by Willingboro' and Burling- 
ton t-ships. Greatest length N. W. 
and S. E. 33 miles ; breadth E. and 
W. 18 miles; area, 135,000 acres; 
surface, generally level ; soil, sand 
and sandy loam; the portion on the 
north-west of the t-ship well cultivated 
and productive ; southern and easter- 
ly parts chiefly pine and oak forests. 
It is drained north-west by the north 
and south branches of the Rancocus 
creek, and southerly by tributaries of 
the Little Egg Harbour river. Mount 
Holly, the county town. New Mills, 
or Pemberton, Vincenttown, Eayrs- 
town, Buddstown, Tabernacle, &c., 
are villages of the t-ship. Popula- 
tion in 1830, 5516. In 1832, the 
t-ship contained 1000 taxables, 654 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30; 183 single men, 2371 
cattle, and 1005 horses and mules; 
13 stores, 7 saw mills, and 9 grist 
mills, 2 forges, 1 paper mill, 2 full- 
ing mills, 1 cotton factory, 1 plaster 
mill, 50 tan vats, 3 carding machines, 
6 distilleries for cider, 1 four horse 
stage, 2 two horse stages, 60 dear- 
borns, 154 covered wagons, 4 chairs 
and curricles, 43 gigs and sulkies; 
and paid state tax, $675 87 ; county 
tax, $2359 50 ; t-ship tax, $3900. 

North Branch, or Bailes\ p-t., of 
Bridgewater t-ship, Somerset co., on 
the turnpike road from Somerville to 
Easton, 4 miles from the former and 
29 from the latter, 203 N. E. from 
W. C, and 29 fi-om Ti'enton, upon 
the north branch of the Raritan river, 
in a level, fertile country ; contains a 
large grist mill and fulling mill, a ta- 
vern, 2 stores, and about 20 dwell- 
ings. There is a Dutch Reformed 
church in the neighbourhood. 

North Brunswick. (See Bruns- 
wick, North.) 

Northjield, small village of Li- 
vingston t-ship, Essex co., 8 miles 
W. of Newark ; contains a Baptist 
church, store, and 3 or 4 dwellings. 

No Pipe Brook, tributary of Be- 
den's brook, rises by two branches in 
the Nashanic mountain, on the con- 
fines of Montgomery and Hillsbo- 
rough t-ships, Somerset co., which 



flow S. E. about 5 or 6 miles to 
their recipient. 

Notch, The, a pass over the First, 
or Newark mountain, Acquacka- 
nonck t-ship, Essex co., through 
which the road leads from Acquacka- 
noncktown to the Little Falls of the 
Passaic, distant 7 miles from the 
former. 

Nottingham t-ship, Burlington co., 
bounded N. W. by the Assunpink 
creek, which divides it from Trenton 
and Lawrence t-ships, Hunterdon co.; 
N. E. by East and West Windsor 
t-ships, of Middlesex co. ; S. by the 
Crosswicks creek, and S. W. by the 
river Delaware. Centrally distant N. 
E. from Mount Holly, 17 miles; 
greatest length N. and S. 10 miles; 
greatest breadth, 7 miles ; area, 
25,000 acres; surface generally le- 
vel, varied only by the abrasion of 
the streams, which have worn their 
courses through deep and narrow val- 
leys ; soil, various ; along the banks 
of the river and creeks, there is some 
stiff clay ; sandy loam and sand cha- 
racterize the remainder. Much of 
the t-ship, with due care, is suscepti- 
ble of beneficial cultivation, and is 
productive in wheat, rye, corn, oats, 
and grass ; the latter being much 
aided by the use of marl, which is 
abundant. The streams are the As- 
sunpink, on the north, with its tribu- 
taries. Miry and Pond runs, and the 
Crosswicks, on the south, which re- 
ceives a small stream from the t-ship. 
The villages are Sandtown, Notting- 
ham Square, Mill Hill, Bloomsbury, 
Lamberton, and the Sand Hills. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 3900. In 1832, there 
were in the t-ship 960 taxables, 430 
householders, whose ratables did not ■ 
exceed $30 ; 165 single men, 11 
merchants, 5 fisheries, 4 saw mills', 
19 pair of grist mill stones, 1 paper 
mill, 1 fulling mill, 3 cotton manu- 
factories, 75 tan vats, 2 carding ma- 
chines, 5 distilleries for cider, 3 four 
horse stages, 3 two horse stages, 37 
dearborns, 37 covered wagons, 50 
chairs and curricles, and 2 gigs and 
sulkies; 1032 cattle, and 604 horses 
and mules over 3 years of age; the 



ORA 



201 



ORA 



t-ship paid state tax, $486 87 ; coun- 
ty tax, $1702 05; township tax, 
$1900. 

Nottingham Square, village of 
Nottingham t-ship, Burlington co., on 
the road from Trenton to AUentown, 
6 miles E. of the former, on a sandy 
plain ; contains 1 Presbyterian, and 1 
Baptist church, a store, a tavern, and 
from 8 to 12 dwellings. 

Obhonon, an arm of the south 
branch of Toms' river, Dover t-ship, 
Monmouth co. 

Ogdensburg, village of Hardiston 
t-ship, Sussex co., about 75 miles N. 
E. from Trenton, and about 9 miles 
from Newton, in the valley of the 
Wallkill river; contains 21 dwell- 
ings, a small store, and saw mill, 
scattered along the road within the 
distance of a mile. There are some 
good lands in the narrow valley here, 
but the sides of the mountain are 
broken and stony. 

Old Bridge, hamlet of Hacken- 
sack t-ship, Bergen co., on the Hack- 
ensack river, 4 miles N. of Hacken- 
sack town ; contains a store, tavern, 
and 10 or 12 dwellings; country 
level ; soil, fertile loam, well cul- 
tivated. 

Old Bridge, hamlet of North 
Brunswick t-ship, Middlesex co., on 
South river, and on the turnpike-road 
from Bordentown to South Amboy, 
' 6 miles S. E. from New Brunswick ; 
contains a tavern, and some half do- 
zen dwelling houses ; surrounded by 
a sandy and light soil. 

Old Mail's Creek, rises in Glou- 
cester CO., Franklin t-ship, about 3 
miles E. of a point on the Salem co. 
line; from which line it runs N. W., 
forming the boundary between Glou- 
cester and Salem cos. for about 25 
miles, following the meanderings of 
the creek to the river Delaware. It 
is a ci'ooked stream flowing through 
a flat country, and has considerable 
tracts of banked meadow on its mar- 
gin, as high as Pedricktown, to which 
place wood shallops ascend. 

Ong^s Hat, hamlet of Northamp- 
ton t-ship, Burlington co., 10 miles 
S.E. of Mount Holly. 
2C 



Orange t-ship, Eeeex oo., bound- 
ed N. W. by Caldwell; N. E. by 
Bloomfield ; E. and S. E. by New- 
ark; S. by Union; S. W. by Spring- 
field; and W. by Livingston. Cen- 
trally distant, N. W., from Newark, 
4i miles; greatest length, N. and S., 
7; breadth, E. and W., 5 miles; 
surface, on the west, hilly ; the First 
and Second mountains crossing it 
here; elsewhere rolling; soil, red 
shale, generally well cultivated; 
area, about 14,000 acres. Orange, 
the post town, South Orange, Camp- 
town, Middleville and Jefferson 
village, are towns of the town- 
ship. It is drained N. E. by Second 
river, and S. W. by branches of the 
Rahway. Population in 1830, 3887 ; 
in 1832, there were in the township, 
625 taxables, 172 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 
in value, 76 single men, 15 mer- 
chants, 3 grist mills, 2 saw mills, 
40 tan vats, 362 horses and mules, 
and 1099 neat cattle, above the age 
of three years ; and it paid state tax, 
$298 19; county, 780 20; poor, 
$600; road, $1050. 

Orange, is a straggling village of 
the preceding township, and a post- 
town, extending about 3 miles along 
the turnpike road, from Newark to 
Dover ; and distant about 3 miles N. 
W. from the former; 219 N. E. 
from W. C, and 53 from Trenton; 
contains 1 Episcopal, 2 Presbyterian, 
and 1 Methodist churches, 2 taverns, 
10 stores, 2 saw mills and a bark 
mill, from 200 to 230 dwellings, 
many of them very neat and commo- 
dious. A large trade is carried on 
here in the manufacture of leather, 
shoes and hats. The country about 
it is level, red shale, and carefully 
cultivated. A chalybeate spring near 
the town is much resorted to. 

Orange, South, a village of the 
same township, lies on the turnpike- 
road from Newark to Morristown, 5 
miles W. of the first; it contains 
about 30 dwellings, a tavern and 
store, a paper mill and a Presbyterian 
church ; the lands around it are also 
rich and well farmed. 



OXF 



202 



PAC 



Oranoken Creek, Downe t-ship, 
Cumberland co., rises in the town- 
ship, and flows S. W. 12 or 14 
miles, into Maurice River Cove, 
sending forth several small streams, 
laterally to the west, which have 
their mouths higher up in the bay. 

Oswego, east branch of Wading 
river. (See Wading River.) 

Oxford t-ship, Warren co., bound- 
ed N. W. by Knowlton ; E. by Hard- 
wick and Independence; S. E. by 
Mansfield; S. by Greenwich t-ships, 
and W. by the Delaware river. Great- 
est length, N. E. and S. W., 16 
miles; breadth, N. W. and S. E., 
5i miles ; area, 42,000 acres. Drain- 
ed chiefly by the Pequest creek and 
its tributary, Beaver Brook. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 3665; taxables, in 
1832, 800. In 1832, the township 
contained 254 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 in value, 
17 stores, 18 pair of stones for 
grinding grain, 1 carding machine, 
7 saw mills, 3 furnaces, 1 tan vats, 
4 distilleries, and 862 horses and 
mules, and 1407 neat cattle; and 
it paid tax for township use, $1200, 
and for state and county purposes, 
$2229 02. Belvidere, the county 
town, lies on the Delaware river, in 
this township, and Bridgeville, Oxford 
and Concord are small villages from 
3 to 4 miles distant from it. The 
surface of the township is much 
broken, and it possesses a great va- 
riety of soil and cultivation. The 
mountains, which are composed of 
granitic rock and crowned with wood, 
cover a considerable portion of it, 
and are cultivated wherever the hopes 
of reward will justify the labour. 
The valleys of limestone are very 
productive; and large quantities of 
wheat are grown for market. Green- 
pond is a small lake 1^^ mile long by 
f of a mile wide, on the S. E. de- 
clivity of Jenny Jump mountain; 
mountain and bog ore abound, and 
manganese on the Delaware below 
Foul Rift. The towns are Belvidere, 
the seat of justice of the county, 
Bridgeville, Oxford, Concord, and 
Roxburg. 



Oxford, small hamlet of Oxford 
t-ship, Warren co., three miles S. E. 
of Belvidere, the county town; con- 
tains a Presbyterian church, a tavern, 
1 grist and 1 clover mill, and 10 or 

12 dwellings. 

Oxford Furnace, and village, on 
a branch of the Pequest creek, near 
the E. line of Oxford township, and 
five miles E. of Belvidere, the seat 
of justice, at the N. W. foot of Scott's 
mountain. This mountain vale is a 
very ancient site for the manufacture 
of iron, a furnace having been erect- 
ed here more than seventy years 
since by the ancestor of the present 
owners, Messrs. Robison ; but it had 
been out of blast for more than 20 
years, when Messrs. Henry and Jor- 
don, of Pennsylvania, undertook to 
renew operations. These gentlemen 
have obtained a lease of the furnace, 
with 2000 acres of woodland, and 
have rebuilt the works. Abundance 
of excellent iron ore is found in the 
mountain a few hundred yards from 
the furnace; and the lessees have 
sunk several shafts, and are now 
working a vein of magnetic ore about 

13 feet thick, enclosed by walls of 
rotten mica. This ore is very rich 
and easily smelted. Old excavations 
are visible in many places, and shafts 
have recently been discovered more 
than 100 feet deep, and drifts exceed- 
ing 120 yards in length. The rock of 
Scott's mountain is primitive, and its 
constituents are found separately in 
masses, and also variously combined 
with each other, with hornblende and 
with iron of various species, forming 
granite, sienite, &c. The whole 
range of hills, of which Scott's moun- 
tain is part, forms a very interesting , 
study for the mineralogist and geo- 
logist. 

Oyster Creek, Stafford t-ship, 
Monmouth co., flows N. E. about 10 
miles, and empties into Barnegat 
bay, on the line separating Stafford 
from Dover township. 

Pacak Creek rises in the Wawa- ' 
yanda mountains, Vernon t-ship, 
Sussex CO., and by a southerly 



PAI 



203 



PAR 



course, of about seven miles, unites 
with the Pequannock creek, in Har- 
distone township. 

Pahaquarry, N. W. t-ship of 
Warren co., bounded N. E. by Wal- 
pack t-ship ; S. E., by Haixlwick and 
KnowUon t-ships ; S. W. and VV. by 
the river Delaware. It lies wholly 
between the Blue mountain and the 
river; is centrally distant, N. from 
Belvidere, 15 miles. Greatest length, 
N. E. and S. W., 13 miles; breadth, 
2|- miles; area, 12,800 acres; sur- 
face, mountain and river bottom. 
Population by census of 1830, 258. 
In 1832, it contained 13 household- 
ers, whose ratables did not exceed 
$30 in value ; but no store, and but 
one grist mill, 4 mill saws, 59 horses 
and mules, and 121 neat cattle above 
the age of three years, and paid a 
state and county tax of $109 61. 
Vancamp brook flows southerly 
through the N. W. part of the town- 
ship. Pahaquarry is the name given to 
a small cluster of houses, situate in the 
northern part of the township. The 
Water Gap, by which the Delaware 
flows through the Blue mountain, is 
on the southwestern boundary of the 
township. Brotzmanville is the post- 
office. A road has lately been made 
. through the Gap, and partly cut out 
of the mountain at the expense of the 
state. Before it was made, even foot 
passengers were unable to follow the 
river through the Gap on the Jersey 
side without the aid of rope ladders 
to assist them over the precipitous 
rocks. The narrow margin above 
the river, which nowhere exceeds 
the breadth of the fourth of a mile, 
is fertile. Upon the Pennsylvania 
side this margin is wider and under- 
laid with limestone. 

Paint Island Spring, on the boun- 
dary between Upper and Lower Free- 
hold t-ships, Monmouth co., 5 miles 
E. of Wrightsville, and near the 
source of Toms' river. This is a 
■ large chalybeate spring whose waters 
; hold so great a quantity of the super 
lb carbonate of iron, blended with the 
1. black oxyde of iron in solution, that 
they leave a very extensive deposit of 



this mineral. By exposure to the air 
an atom of carbonic acid escapes, 
the oxyde takes another atom of oxy- 
gen from the atmosphere, and is preci- 
pitated in the form of oxy-carbonat, 
an insoluble powder of a yellow co- 
lour. The colour may be converted 
into a beautiful brown by heating the 
yellow ochre sufficiently to expel its 
carbonic acid, leaving behind the se- 
cond oxide of iron. The heat of 
boiling water is sufficient for this 
purpose ; and the ore so changed has 
most of the properties of umber. A 
manufacture of this paint has given 
name to the spring. It is esteemed 
by the neighbours lor medicinal qua- 
lities, and pic nic parties are made 
here frequently in the summer. It 
was also formerly known as Law- 
rence's spring, but is now, we believe, 
the property of Samuel G. Wright, 
Esq. 

Pamrepau, small scattering settle- 
ment, in Bergen t-ship, Bergen co., 
on New York bay, about 5 miles be- 
low Jersey City, occupied by de- 
scendants of the original Dutch set- 
tlers. 

Panther Pond, on the N. W. of 
Byram t-ship, Sussex co., one of the 
eastern sources of the Bequest creek. 

Papaldng Creek, rises in Frank- 
ford t-ship, Sussex co., and flows, 
N. E. by a course of about 10 miles, 
to Deep Clove creek, below Decker- 
town, Wantage t-ship ; giving motion 
to several mills. 

Paramus, small hamlet, on the 
Saddle River, and on the boundary 
of Harrington and Franklin t-ships, 
Bergen co.; contains a church, a ta- 
vern, a mill and several dwellings, 
about 7 miles N. W. from Hacken- 
sack. 

Parcipany, p-t. of Hanover t-ship, 
on the turnpike road from Frankhn 
to Mount Pleasant, 7 miles N. of 
Morristown, 229 N. E. from W. C, 
and 63 from Trenton, on the Parci- 
pany river; contains 2 grist mills, 2 
stores, 2 taverns, a Presbyterian, and 
a Methodist church, an academy, 
and from 15 to 20 dwellings. The 



b 



PAS 



204 



PAS 



soil around it, is sandy loom, well cul- 
tivated. 

Parcipany Creek, rises by two 
branchies, in the Trowbridge moun- 
tain, Hanover t-sliip, Morris co.; and 
flows by a S. E. course of about 8 or 
9 miles, into the Whippany river, 
about a mile above its junction, with 
the Rockaway, giving motion to se- 
veral mills. 

Parviri's Run, Fairfield t-ship, 
Cumberland co., a tributary of the 
Cohansey creek, which joins its re- 
cipient, 2 miles S. of Bridgeton; no- 
table as part of the boundary between 
Deerfield and Fairfield t-ships. 

Parviri's Branch, of Maurice river, 
rises in Millville t-ship, Cumberland 
CO., and flows eastward ly to the head 
of the Pond, of Millville works. 

Paskach Brook, tributary of Hack- 
ensack river, rises in Rockland co., 
New York, and flows by a course, 
S. and S. E., of about 12 miles, to 
its recipient, in Harrington t-ship, 
Bergen co., giving motion to many 
mills. 

Passaic River. This stream is en- 
dowed with a very singular charac- 
ter. Rising in, and flowing through 
a mountainous country, it is the most 
crooked, sluggish, and longest of the 
state ; and yet presents the two most 
profound cataracts, and the greatest 
hydraulic force. Its extreme source 
is near Mendham, Morris co., where 
its head waters interlock with those 
of the north branch of the Raritan : 
thence it flows a little E. of S. about 
10 miles ; in which distance, it has 
considerable fall — turns several mills, 
and forms the boundary between So- 
merset and Morris cos.; thence turn- 
ed by Stony Hill, of the former co., 
at the N. base of which it receives 
Dead river, it assumes a N. E. course, 
by the foot of Long Hill, dividing 
Morris from Essex county. On this 
line, for 20 miles, it steals its way, 
partly through a narrow vale, and 
partly through a broad valley, with 
scarce a ripple or a murmur to indi- 
cate its course; and consequently, 
with few mill-works of any kind. 
At the S. W. point of the Horse-Shoe 



mountain, it receives the Rockaway 
river, which having had for many 
miles, a rapid, spirited, and useful 
course, assumes the torpor of its re- 
cipient ; and spreads itself as if seek- 
ing rest, after its hurried flow and 
mighty labours. Collecting its wa- 
ters, the united stream meanders along 
the curve of the Horse-Shoe, about 8 
miles, when deflected by the north- 
eastern point, it inclines to the Second 
mountain, still preserving its monoto- 
nous and sluggish character. But, 
in its way through this mountain, 
that character is suddenly changed 
for high and admirable energy. By 
two perpendicular leaps, and a rocky 
rapid, it descends, at the Little Fall, 
51 feet in the distance of a half mile, 
into the valley N. of the First moun- 
tain. The first fall has comparative- 
ly a gentle, and certainly, a very beau- 
tiful appearance. It is 10 feet deep, 
and more than an hundred yards 
broad, and has been artificially form- 
ed into a broad angle opening down 
the stream, over which the whole 
river, but now still and lifeless, as a 
sea of glass, is precipitated, in two 
broad and dense sheets, which arc 
shaken by the shock into clouds of 
foam, and scarce recover their liquid 
form, until they encounter the second 
precipice. This has a depth of 16 
feet, over which the flood, confined, 
in ordinary seasons, to a very limited 
bed, pours in a deep mass, with tre- 
mendous force, covering itself with 
a perpetual halo of spray, and then 
hastening rapidly away, beneatli 
the bold and lofty arch of the aque- 
duct of the Morris canal, as if regret- 
ting, and gladly seeking, its broken 
quiet. The aqueduct, a beautiful 
piece of architecture, formed of cut 
stone, with a span of 80 feet, and 
height of 50 feet, adds an admirable 
feature to the scene; the whole of 
which, including the basaltic colum- 
nar walls of the ravine, erected upon 
their broad bases of red sandstone, 
is best seen from the rocky brink of 
the river, which may be descended d 
to, from either bank, but more com- ' 
modiously from the left. 



PAS 



205 



PAT 



Between the Little and the Groat 
Falls, a distance of 5| miles, the river 
is broken by some inconsiderable rip- 
ples, which allhrd sufficient fall for 
mills, but do not much disturb the 
placidity of its course; but before the 
great leap, it is again composed into 
a steady calm, as if concentrated for 
a new and more vigorous effort. Ere 
it reaches the perpendicular pitch, it 
rolls over the artilicial dam, erected 
by the Passaic Manufacturing Com- 
pany, and a low ledge of rocks ; and 
then pours itself in one unbroken co- 
lumn, 50 feet in altitude, into a deep 
and narrow chasm, of about 60 feet 
in width; through which it dashes, 
foams and roars, into a broad and 
still basin, which it has excavated for 
itself. From this it rushes impetu- 
ously, by a rapid descent of 20 feet, 
beneath the level of Pater son plain, 
curbedby walls of trap-rock and sand- 
stone, whose loose and disjointed 
character, has enabled the stream to 
excavate its passage through the deep 
chasm. 

From Paterson to the port of Ac- 
quackanonck, 10 miles, where the 
river meets the tide, its course is 
again sweetly still ; and the tide wa- 
ters of no river can present a more 
charming scene. The shore spread- 
ing like an amphitheatre upon cither 
side, is covered with verdure, and 
studded with dwellings, and other 
monuments of successful industry, 
which give it the appearance of a 
highway, through a thrifty village; 
whilst the clear and quiet waters 
tempt the spectator to venture upon 
their bosom. Few rivers possess 
more attraction than the Passaic, 
between Paterson and Newark, 
above the marshes; nor are the 
charms of its beautiful scenery di- 
minished, by the sport which the 
stream offers, to the patient follower 
of Isaac Walton, in the finny tribe, 
with which it is stored. From Ac- 
quackanonck to the head of Newark 
bay, the distance may be 15 miles, 
and thus the whole course of the 
river is about 70 miles, in passing 
through which, it has looked to every 



quarter of the compass, save the 
west. 

Paterson. This thriving manu- 
facturing town is one of the creations 
of the genius of Alexander Hamilton, 
the true father of the system of do- 
mestic industry, now cherished as the 
American system. In the early part 
of the year 1791, on the recommen- 
dation, and by the active and influen- 
tial exertions of this distinguished and 
patriotic statesman, a number of pub- 
lic spirited individuals of New York, 
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, asso- 
ciated themselves for establishing use- 
ful manufactures, by the subscription 
of a capital of more than $200,000. 
The number of shares originally sub- 
scribed was 5000, at $100 the share; 
but 2267 shares only, were fully paid 
up. The general object of the com- 
pany was to lay the foundation of a 
great emporium of manufactures for 
all articles not prohibited by law. 
Their immediate object was the ma- 
nufacture of cotton cloths; and the 
attempt is highly characteristic of the 
enterprising spirit of our countrymen. 
At this period, the improvements of 
Arkwright in cotton machinery, 
though perfected, were not very ex- 
tensively used, even in England, and 
were absolutely unknown in all other 
countries. In America no cotton had 
been spun by machinery. Havino- 
resolved to establish themselves in 
New Jersey, the " contributors" were 
incorporated by the legislature on 
22d Nov. 1791, by an act authoriz- 
ing a capital stock of one million of 
dollars, with the right to acquire and 
hold property to the amount of four 
millions, and the power to improve 
the navigation of the rivers, make 
canals for the trade with the princi- 
pal site of their works, and to raise 
by way of lottery, the sum of one 
hundred thousand dollars. The act 
of incorporation, which was drawn, 
or revised by Mr. Hamilton, also gave 
a city charter, with jurisdiction over 
a tract of six square miles. 

The society was organized at New 
Brunswick, on the last Monday of 
November, 1791, by the choice of its 



PAT 



206 



PAT 



first board of directors, composed of 
William Duer, John Dewhurst, Ben- 
jamin Walker, Nicholas Low, Royal 
Flint, Elisha Boudinot, John Bayard, 
John Neilson, Archibald Mercer, 
Thomas Lowring, George Lewis, 
More Furman, and Alex. M'Comb. 
William Duer was chosen the first 
governor of the company. We give 
these names, because they are illus- 
trated by the present flourishing con- 
dition of the society, the result of 
their labours. 

Mr. Hamilton, who was not a stock- 
holder of the company, and whose 
disinterested exertions in its behalf, 
were prompted by higher motives 
than pecuniary gratification, had, 
previously to the act of incorpora- 
tion, at the request of the company, 
engaged English and Scotch artizans 
and manufactui'ers of cotton machine- 
ry and cotton goods, to establish their 
business here. After its organiza- 
tion, the society advertised their de- 
sire to purchase a suitable site for 
their city, with the requisite water 
power, in any part of New Jersey. 
They received proposals from the 
West Jersey Associates, from South 
River, Perth Amboy, Millstone, Bull's 
Falls, the Little Falls of the Passaic, 
and from the inhabitants of the Great 
Falls of that river ; and in May, 1792, 
they selected, with admirable judg- 
ment, the last place,as the principal site 
of their proposed operations ; giving to 
their town the name of Paterson, after 
governor William Paterson, who had 
signed their charter. At this period 
there were not more than ten houses 
here. 

At a meeting of the directors, at the 
Godwin hotel, on the 4th July, 1792, 
appropriations were made for build- 
ing factories, machine shops, and 
shops for calico printing and weav- 
ing ; and a race-way was directed to 
be made, for bringing the water from 
above the falls to the proposed mills. 
Unfortunately, the direction of these 
works was given to Major L'Enfan, 
a French engineer, not more cele- 
brated for the grandeur of his con- 
ceptions, than his recklessness of 



expense ; and whose magnificent pro- 
jects commonly perished in the waste 
of means provided for their attain- 
ment. He immediately commenced 
the race-way and canal, designing to 
unite the Upper Passaic with the 
Lower, at the head of tide, near the 
present village of Acquackanonck, by 
a plan better adapted to the resources 
of a great empire than to those of a 
private company. 

In January, 1793, Peter Colt, Esq. 
of Hartford, then comptroller of the 
state of Connecticut, was appointed 
" general superintendent of the affairs 
of the company, with full powers to 
manage the concerns of the society, 
as if they were his own individual 
property," Major L'Enfan being re- 
tained, however, as engineer ; but he, 
after having spent, uselessly, a large 
sum of money, resigned his office in 
the following September. Mr. Colt, 
thus in sole charge of the works, 
completed the race-way, conducting 
the water to the first factory erected 
by the society. The canal to tide 
water, had been abandoned before 
the departure of the engineer. 

The factory, 90 feet long by 40 
wide, and 4 stories high, was finish- 
ed in 1794, when cotton yarn was 
spun in the mill ; but yai'n had been 
spun in the preceding year, by ma- 
chinery moved by oxen. In 1794, 
also, calico shawls and other cotton 
goods were printed ; the bleached 
and unbleached muslins being pur- 
chased in New York. In the same 
year the society gave their attention 
to the culture of the silk worm, and 
directed the superintendent to plant 
the mulberry tree for this purpose. 
In April of this year, also, the socie- 
ty, at the instance of Mr. Colt, em- 
ployed a teacher to instruct, gratui- 
tously, on the Sabbath, the children 
employed in the factory, and others. 
This was probably the first Sunday 
school established in New Jersey. 

Notwithstanding their untoward 
commencement, and the many dis- 
couragements attending their pro- 
gress, the directors persevered in 
their enterprise ; and during the years 



PAT 



207 



PAT 



1795, and 1796, much yarn of va- 
rious sizes was spun, and several spe- 
cies of cotton fabrics were made. 
But, at length satisfied that it was 
hopeless to contend, successfully, 
longer with an adverse current, they 
resolved, July, 1796, to abandon the 
manufacture, and discharged their 
workmen. This result was produced 
by a combination of causes. Nearly 
$50,000 had been lost, by the failure 
of the parties to certain bills of ex- 
change purchased by the company, 
to buy in England plain cloths for 
printing ; large sums had been wasted 
by the engineer ; and the machinists 
and manufacturers imported, were 
presumptuous, and ignorant of many 
branches of the business they en- 
gaged to conduct; and more than all, 
the whole attempt was premature. 
No pioneer had led the way, and no 
experience existed in the country, re- 
lative to any subject of the enter- 
prise. Beside, had the country been 
in a measure prepared for manufac- 
tures, the acquisition of the carrying 
trade, which our merchants were 
then making, was turning public en- 
terprise into other channels. The 
ruin of the company under these cir- 
cumstances, cannot now be cause of 
astonishment. But to this catas- 
trophe the children of Mr. Colt, now 
deeply interested in the operations of 
the company, have the just and proud 
satisfaction to know, that their parent 
was in no way auxiliary. On clos- 
ing their concerns, the directors una- 
nimously returned him their thanks 
" for his industry, care and prudence, 
in the management of their affairs, 
since he had been employed in their 
sei'vice; fully sensible that the fail- 
ure of the objects of the society was 
from causes not in his power, or that 
of any other man, to prevent." 

The cotton mill of the company 
was subsequently leased to individu- 
als, who continued to spin candle 
wick and coarse yarn until 1807, 
when it was accidentally burned 
down, and was never rebuilt. The 
admirable water-power of the com- 
pany, was not however wholly unem- 



ployed. In 1801, a mill seat was 
leased to Mr. Charles Kinsey, and 
Israel Crane; in 1807, a second, and 
1811, a third, to other persons; and 
between 1812, and 1814, several 
others were sold or leased. In 1814, 
Mr. Roswell L. Colt, the present en- 
terprising governor of the society, 
purchased, at a depreciated price, a 
large proportion of the shares, and 
reanimated the association. From 
this period, the growth of Paterson 
has been steady, except during the 3 
or 4 years which followed the peace 
of 1815. 

The advantages derivable from the 
great fall in the river here, have been 
improved with much judgment. A 
dam of 4^ feet high, strongly framed 
and bolted to the rock in the bed of 
the river above the falls, turns the 
stream through a canal excavated in 
the trap rock of the bank, into a 
basin ; whence, through strong guard- 
gates, it supplies in succession three 
canals on sepax'ate planes, each below 
the other ; giving to the mills on each, 
a head and fall of about 22 feet. By 
means of the guard-gate, the volume 
of water is regulated at pleasure, and 
a uniform height preserved ; avoiding 
the inconvenience of back-water. The 
expense of maintaining the dam, ca- 
nals, and main sluice-gates, and of 
regulating the water, is borne by the 
company ; who have expended, in 
raising the main embankment, and 
constructing the feeder from the river 
and new upper canal, and for works 
to supply water to the third tier of 
mills, the sum of $40,000. 

The advantages which Paterson 
possesses for a manufacturing town, 
are obvious. An abundant and stea- 
dy supply of water; a healthy, plea- 
sant, and fruitful country, supplying 
its markets fully with excellent meats 
and vegetables — Its proximity to New 
York, where it obtains the raw mate- 
rial, and sale for manufactured goods; 
and with which it is connected by 
the sloop navigation of the Passaic, 
by the Morris canal, by a turnpike- 
road, and by a rail-road, render it 
one of the most desirable sites in the 



PAT 



208 



PAT 



Union. The transportation of mer- 
chandise to and from New York, has 
heretofore cost from two, to two 
and a half dollars the ton ; but will 
be reduced on the rail-road to one 
dollar. 

A water-power, consisting of as 
much water as may be drawn 
through an aperture one foot square, 
or of 144 square inches, with a lot 
for buildings, having 100 feet on the 
front and rear, was let in the first in- 
stance at a rent of 875 per annum ; 
in the second, at $100 ; in the third, 
at $160 ; and the price has been ad- 
vanced from time to time, to $200, 
$250, $300, $400, and $500 rent, 
per annum. At present, the terms 
of the company for such power and 
lot, are — rent of $500 per annum, 
on a lease of 21 years; renewable 
every 21 years at the same rent, 
on the payment of a fine of $500, or 
an absolute right in fee simple for the 
sum of $10,000. Lots for dwellings, 
&c., may be obtained at from $150, 
to $1000 each. In good situations, 
the ordinary price is about 5 or 6 
hundred dollars for 25 feet in front, 
by 100 in depth. 

The city of Paterson is incorpo- 
rated pursuant to 26th and 27th sec- 
tions of the act of 22d November, 
1791, and the plot, lies partly in the 
county of Bergen, and partly in the 
county of Essex, on both sides of the 
river, and covers 36 square miles, and 
is governed by a mayor, recorder, 
common council, &c. It is 15 miles 
N. from Newark, and 18 N. W. from 
New York, 61 N. E. from Trenton, 
91 from Philadelphia, and 227 from 
W. C. The following statistics of 
the town are derived from a very va- 
luable memoir prepared by the Rev. 
Dr. Fisher, pastor of the First Pres- 
byterian church there, in 1832. The 
number of dwellings are 765, stores, 
&c. 76, families 1586, consisting of 
4515 males, and 4570 females, of 
whom 3949 were under 16 years of 
age, and 250 were coloured persons. 
During the year ending 4th July, 
1832, the number of births was 321, 
and of deaths 170 ; excess of births 



151. This population is divided into 
14 religious denominations, strongly 
illustrating the diversity of religious 
opinion in thickly settled districts of 
the United States, and the harmony 
which may prevail among the wor- 
shippers of the Deity, where lust of 
temporal dominion cannot be grati- 
fied. There were here of heads of 
families, Presbyterians 384, Reform- 
ed Dutch 323, Roman Catholics 288, 
Methodists 269, Episcopalians 149, 
Baptists 86, Reformed Presbyterians 
35, Dutch Seceders 6, Lutherans 6, 
Friends 2, Christian Baptist 1, Uni- 
versalists 2, Unitarians 2, Deists 4; 
and there were 1 1 persons who either 
professed no religion, or whose senti- 
ments were unknown. There are 9 
houses for religious worship, viz: 
Presbyterian 1, Reformed Dutch 2, 
Roman Catholic 1, Methodist 1, Epis- 
copal 1, Reformed Presbyterian 1, 
Baptist 1, True Reformed Dutch 1; 
the eight first of which had, each, its 
settled minister. The provision for 
education in the town, consisted of 
20 pay schools, 13 for males and 7 
for females, having scholars 384 ; a 
free school supported by the town for 
poor children, having 188 pupils; an 
infant school under the direction and 
patronage of a society of ladies, se- 
lected from the different religious de- 
nominations, in which poor children 
between the ages of 3 and 8 years, 
are gratuitously instructed, without 
regard to the religious professions of 
their parents. At this school, there 
was 173 pupils, making the whole 
number of children thus instructed, 
weekly, 1 1 95. Seven Sabbath schools 
taught 1531 scholars, a large pro- 
portion of whom attended no other 
schools. 

There is here also, a philosophical 
society composed of young gentle- 
men, who have associated for litera- 
ry improvement, and have collected 
a respectable library ; and a mecha- 
nics' society, incorporated by the le- 
gislature, for advancement in science 
and the mechanic arts, which has laid 
the foundation of a library and a col- 
lection of philosophical apparatus. 



PAT 



209 



PAT 



In 1833 the town contained 163 
widows, in whose families there were 
834 souls, the greater portion of 
whom, now maintained by the ma- 
nufacturing establishments, would, 
otherwise, have been dependant upon 
public or private charity, for sup- 
port. 

There were, at this time, 12 black- 
smiths, besides those immediately 
connected with the machine shops — 
in these 22 fires, and 37 hands are 
employed ; 34 shoemakers, employ- 
ing 183 hands; 13 tailors and tailor- 
esses, employing 70 hands,- 9 milli- 
ners, employing 34 hands ; 3 book- 
stores; 1 bindery; 1 circulating K- 
brary, of 1300 volumes; 1 incorpo- 
rated Ubrary company, with a libra- 
ry of 250 volumes ; 1 bank, viz. 
" The People's Bank of Paterson"— 
Alex. Carrick, president, and James 
Nazro, cashier ; 10 physicians; 6 li- 
censed attorneys ; 2 commissioners ; 

3 masters in chancery, and 5 nota- 
ries ; 3 judges of the county courts, 
and 10 justices of the peace; 2 print- 
ing offices, from which are issued 2 
weekly papers, viz. the " Paterson 
Intelligencer," printed by David Bur- 
nett, the proprietor, and published on 
Wednesday; and the " Paterson Cou- 
rier," printed by A. S. Gould, the 
proprietor, and published on Tues- 
day : 1 post-office, Moses E. De Witt, 
post-master; 10 licensed taverns; 40 
grocery and provision stores ; and 51 
grogshops, where little else but ardent 
spirits is sold ; 1 dry good, hardware, 
crockery, and grocery store ; 2 dry 
good and crockery stores; 14 fancy 
dry good stores; 2 hardware stores; 
1 fancy chair store; 1 fancy chair 
and looking-glass store; 1 apotheca- 
ry and paint store, and 4 medicine 
stores ; 5 shoe stores ; 1 corset, mil- 
linery, and fancy store ; 2 hat stores, 
and 1 hatter, employing 4 hands ; 1 
poor-house, 21 paupers ; 2 brewe- 
ries ; 1 file cutter ; 1 girth manufac- 
turer, and 4 looms; 1 reed maker; 

4 bakeries; 2 carpet weavers ; 1 ma- 
nufactory of fine ingrained carpets, 
employing 7 looms and 12 hands; 1 
i^un and locksmith, &c. ; 2 coopers, 

2 D 



employing 11 hands; 1 sizing esta- 
blishment; 3 dyeing establishments, 
separate from the factories, and 8 
hands; 1 umbrellamaker ; 1 chair 
bottomer ; several hcddlemakers ; 2 
tobacconists, 9 hands; 2 watchma- 
kers, jewellers and silversmiths ; 4 
cabinetmakers, 35 hands; 1 candle 
and 2 soap factories; 2 barbers; 3 
lottery offices ; 1 tanner and currier, 
33 vats and 9 hands; 3 hay scales, 
Bull's patent; 4 painters and gla- 
ziers, 22 hands ; 1 Masonic hall ; 1 
auction mart ; 1 counterpane weaver ; 
1 marble yard, 6 hands; 1 freestone 
yard, 5 hands; 7 slaughter-houses, 
and 9 butchers ; 4 livery stables ; 7 
wheelwrights and 1 9 hands ; 2 sad- 
dle and harnessmakers, and trimmers, 
10 hands; 8 confectionery and toy 
shops ; 2 copper, tin, and sheet iron 
manufactories, and 24 hands ; 2 large 
and commodious market-houses, and 
the market is well supplied with meat, 
fish, and vegetables of the various 
kinds ; 1 museum, fitted up with taste ; 

1 hoe factory, 4 hands ; 1 sashmaker, 

2 hands ; 4 public engines for extin- 
guishing fires, and 7 private ones — 
2 moveable and 5 attached to the fac- 
tories ; 1 5 master carpenters, employ- 
ing 122 hands; 8 master masons, 
employing 174 hands; 1 public dis- 
pensary, incorporated by act of the 
legislature. 

Paterson contains 1 saw mill, with 
2 saw carriages and 2 saws ; 1 grist 
mill, with 2 run of stones ; 4 turning 
and bobbin factories, employing 43 
hands; 2 bleaching establishments, 
employing 18 hands; 5 millwright 
establishments, employing 59 hands ; 
1 manufactory of cotton wadding, 
where wadding of a superior quality 
is manufactured ; 4 machine factories, 
employing 404 hands. In the last the 
manufacture of cotton and other ma- 
chinery is brought to a high state of 
perfection. In that of Messrs. Plun- 
ket and Thompson, are employed be- 
tween 60 and 70 hands, and being 
recently established, it contains the 
latest improvements in their art, and 
produces machinery of superior qua- 
lity. 



PAT 



210 



PAT 



Attached to the works of Godwin, 
Clark, and Co., and of Rogers, Ket- 
chum, and Grosvenor, are two exten- 
sive brass and iron founderies, where 
mill shafts, wheels, and thfe various 
parts of cotton machinery, &c. are 
cast: 20 manufactories of cotton ; in 
these arc 40,501 spindles in opera- 
tion ; they employ 1646 hands, and 
use annually 3,360,272 lbs. of raw 
cotton. 

The Phcnix Manufacturing Com- 
pany, in addition to their cotton esta- 
blishment, have 1616 spindles, em- 
ployed in spinning flax ; the flax an- 
nually consumed is 493,000 lbs., giv- 
ing employment to 196 hands. This 
flax is manufactured into duck and 
bagging. 

In the cotton establishment of John 
Colt, Esq. were manufactured in 
1831, 460,000 yards of cotton duck: 
A sattinct factory, with a dyeing esta- 
blishment annexed, employs 1322 
spindles, 75 hands, 23 power looms, 
and 13 hand looms; consuming, an- 
nually, 105,000 lbs. of wool. 

Tke power looms in operation in 
all the factories were 311, hand looms 
14. In the village and out of the fac- 
tories, there were only 50 hand 
looms. 

Total number of power and hand 
looms 374. Total spindles 43,439. 
Total cotton, wool, and flax annually 
consumed is 3,958,272 lbs. Total 
hands employed in all the establish- 
ments 2543: a large proportion of 
whom are children. 

A button factory, employing 28 
hands. In this factory are made steel 
buttons, clasps, ornaments, and a va- 
riety of other articles of iron and 
steel: A gilt button manufactory, 
employing 20 hands, and manufac- 
turing at the rale 9000 groce of but- 
tons a year. The average price of 
these buttons is about $4 50 a groce. 
Annual produce $40,000. The but- 
tons manufactured at this establish- 
ment, as it respects perfection of 
workmanship and elegance of finish, 
in the opinion of competent judges, 
are not surpassed by any gilt buttons 
imported from Europe. 



The large four story brick factory 
of Rogers, Ketchum, and Grosvenor, 
besides the room occupied by the 
machinists, is capable of containing 
5000 cotton spindles, with the ma- 
chines for preparation. 

One large three storied paper mill. 

In the establishment of Messrs. 
Collet and Smith, were manufactured 
in 1831, 900 pieces of nankeen, of a 
superior quality, from nankeen cot- 
ton, raised by Governor Forsyth of 
Georgia. 

That part of the village of Pater- 
son, situated on the north side of the 
Passaic river, usually called New 
Manchester, had 

dwellings, families, souls. 

In 1824, 31 48 289 

1827, 66 115 625 

1829, 89 154 852 

1832, 114 217 1214 

In the whole village of Paterson, in 

1824, there were, 

814 families, & 4787 souls. 
In 1825, 849 do. 5084 do. 

1827, 1046 do. 6236 do. 

1829, 1220 do. 7033 do. 

1832, 1568 do. 9085 do. 

The spindles in operation in 1 825, 
were 19,036; in 1827, 25,998; in 
1829, 30,295 ; and in 1832, 43,439. 
The raw material consumed in 
1827, was. 

Cotton, 1,843,100 lbs. 
Flax, 620,000 



Total, 2,463,100 lbs. 



In 1829, Cotton, 2,179,600 lbs. 
Flax, 600,000 



Total, 2,779,600 lbs. 



In 1832, Cotton, 3,360,272 lbs. 
Flax, 493,000 
Wool, 105,000 



Total, 3,958,272 lbs. 



In consequence of the great im- 
provement in cotton machinery, yarn 
of a much finer thread is spun ; con- 
sequently, the consumption of the 



PAU 



211 



PEN 



raw material has not increased in 
proportion to the inci'eased number- 
of spindles. 

In 1827, there were employed in 
all the manufacturing establishments, 
1453 hands, and the annual amount 
of wages paid to them, as ascertained 
from the pay lists of the manufac- 
turers, was $221,123. In 1829, 
there were employed, 1879 hands; 
annual wages, $285,453; in 1832, 
there were employed, 2543 hands; 
annual amount of wages, $367,003. 

The salutary influence of this thriv- 
ing town, is sensibly felt throughout 
the whole of the N. E. section of the 
state. The agriculturist has parti- 
cipated, in no small degree, in its 
prosperity. His lands have greatly 
increased in marketable value, and 
his physical and moral condition has 
been in all respects improved. If wise, 
he will maintain this source of pre- 
sent enjoyment to himself, and of fu- 
ture happiness to his posterity, with 
a zeal becoming its value. 

Pattenbiiry, small village of Beth- 
lehem t-ship, at the S. foot of Mus- 
conetcong mountain, on Alberson's 
brook, 12 miles N. W. of Fleming- 
ton, Hunterdon county, contains a 
gristmill, a store, 6 dwellings. Soil, 
red shale, through or near which a 
vein of limestone probably passes. 

Paulinskill, creek of Sussex and 
Warren counties, which rises by 
two branches ; the easterly one from 
a pond on the south of Pimple hill, 
in Hardiston t-ship, and flowing 
thence N. W., through Newton town- 
ship, into Frankford township ; the 
westerly one, from Long and Cul- 
ver's ponds, at the foot of the Blue 
mountain, in Frankford, in which 
township the branches unite near the 
town of Augusta, and flow thence by 
a south-west course of 22 or 23 miles, 
to the Delaware river : the whole 
length of the stream, by its eastern 
branch, may be 35 miles. It gives 
motion to many mills, and flows 
through a very fertile country of lime 
and slate formations, separating them 
for a considerable part of its course. 

Paulsboro\ town of Greenwich 



t-ship, Gloucester co., near Mantua 
ci"eek, 4 miles W. of Woodbury; 
contains a tavern, stope, 10 or 12 
dwellings, and a Methodist church. 

Paxtoti's Island, in the Delaware 
river, Amwell t-ship, Hunterdon co. 

Peck^s Beach, on the coast of the 
Atlantic ocean, in Upper t-ship, Cape 
May CO., extends about 10 miles, 
from Corson's to Egg Harbour inlet. 

Pedricktown, p-t. of Upper Penn's 
Creek t-ship, Salem co., lying on 
Oldman's creek, about 8 or 9 miles 
from its mouth ; contains between 20 
and 30 dwellings, 1 Friends' meeting 
house, 1 tavern, 2 stores, 1 school ; 
and is inhabited by agriculturists and 
mechanics. The soil around it is 
a sandy loam and well cultivated, by 
means of the marl found in the neigh- 
bourhood. The Palma Christi, or 
castor bean, is extensively produced 
here, and about 1500 galls, of oil 
manufactured annually. The town 
is distant, 16 miles N. E. from W. 
C. ; 54 S. from Trenton, and 14 or 
15 N. from Salem. 

Pemberton, or New Mills, p-t. of 
Noi'thampton t-ship, Burlington co., 
on the north branch of the Rancocus 
creek, 6 miles above Mount Holly, 
13 from Burlington, 27 from Tren- 
ton, and 162 from W. C. ; contains 
a grist mill, saw mill, fulling mill, a 
cotton manufactory, a cupola fur- 
nace, 1 Methodist and 1 Baptist 
church, a school house, 2 taverns, 5 
stores, and about 100 dwellings. 
This is a thriving town, growing 
rapidly by reason of its manufac- 
tures. 

Pennington, p-t. of Hopewell t-ship, 
Hunterdon co. Centrally situated, 
8 miles N. of Trenton; 174 from 
W. C, and 15 S. from Flemington; 
in a level country of red shale, fer- 
tile and well cultivated ; contains 1 
Methodist and 1 Presbyterian church, 
both good buildings of briok, the lat- 
ter having a cupola and bell, 3 ta- 
verns, as many stores, and about 
30 dwellings, a public library and an 
academy. This is a very neat and 
pleasant village, surrounded by weal- 
thy and liberal farmers. 



PEN 



212 



PEN 



Penris Grove, small hamlet and 
ferry, on the Delaware river, in 
Upper Penn's Neck t-ship, Salem co., 
distant about 15 miles N. of Salem; 
there are here 6 or 8 dwellings, a 
tavern and store. The Wilmington 
and Philadelphia steam boat touches 
here daily, to receive and land pas- 
sengers, and a 4 horse stage runs 
daily between the ferry and the town 
of Salem. 

Penri's Neck, (see Williamsburg,) 
lies in the angle formed by the Stony 
Brook and Millstone river, West 
Windsor township, Middlesex county, 
about a mile S. E. of Princeton. 

Penn's Neck, Loiver, t-ship, of 
Salem co, bounded N. by Upper 
Penn's Neck ; E. and S. E. by Salem 
river, which divides it from Man- 
nington ; and S. W. and W. by the 
river Delaware. Centrally distant, 
N. W. of Salem, 5 miles ; greatest 
length, 9; breadth, 6 miles; area, 
12,645 acres; surface, level; soil, 
partly rich clay loam, partly sandy 
loam, and partly excellent marsh 
meadow. Products, wheat, rye, corn 
and vegetables for market. Popula- 
tion in 1830, 994. In 1832, the 
township contained 228 taxables; 
73 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30 in value; 4 school 
houses, an Episcopal, a Presbyterian 
and a Methodist church, 2 taverns, 
2 stores, 2 fisheries ; and it paid town- 
ship tax, i300 ; county tax, $722 76 ; 
state tax, $226 50. 

A canal, of two miles in length, 
near the northern boundary, cut 
through a dead level, unites the Sa- 
lem river with the Delaware at about 
12 miles above the mouth of the for- 
mer, saving to vessels from this point, 
a circular navigation of 25 miles. 
Kinseyville is a small village on the 
Delaware, at which there is a ferry. 

Penn's NecJc, Upper, t-ship, Sa- 
lem CO., bounded N. and E. by Wool- 
wich t-ship, Gloucester co. ; S. E. 
by Piles Grove t-ship, Salem co. ; S. 
by Mannington t-ship; S. W. by 
Lower Penn's Neck ; and W. by the 
river Delaware. Centrally distant 
from Salem, 10; greatest length, 9; 



breadth, 7^ miles ; surface level ; 
soil light sandy loam; generally cul- 
tivated with rye and Indian corn; 
area, 21,053 acres. There are, in 
the township, 1 Friends' and 1 Me- 
thodist meeting, 5 schools, 5 taverns, 
6 stores, 1 grist and 1 saw mill, 1 
ferry, 1 distillery. In 1832, there 
were 340 horses and mules, and 900 
neat cattle, over three years of age; 
117 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30 ; 330 taxable inha- 
bitants. In 1830, the population by 
census, was 1638. In 1832, the 
township paid township tax, $400; 
county tax, $738 20 ; state tax, 
$230 75. 

A valuable bed of shell marl lies in 
the township, near Pedricktown ; the 
extent of which has not yet been ex- 
plored. Large quantities have been 
dug and used with great advantage 
in this and the neighbouring town- 
ships. It is found most useful on the 
Hght and sandy soils, in the culture 
of grass and grain, when applied in 
quantities of 10 or 12 two horse wa- 
gon loads to the acre. In opening 
the pits a bed of oyster and other 
shells, at irregular distances from the 
surface, from three to twenty feet, 
presents itself. This bed is about 
three feet thick. Beneath it is a mass 
of undiscovered depth, composed of 
black earth and shells, known as gun- 
powder marl, but it is not in as much 
repute as the stratum of shells. 
Tifiese shells, when exposed to the 
air, disintegrate rapidly. The marl 
is sold at about 50 cts. the wagon 
load. More than an acre of this bed 
has been already excavated. 

Pennypot, name of a small tribu- 
tary of the Great Egg Harbour river, 
and also of a tavern and mill, near 
the junction of Hospitality branch, 
with the main stream, in Hamilton 
t-ship, Gloucester co. 

Pensankin Creek, rises by two 
branches, one in the N. part of Eves- 
ham t-ship, and the other on the hne 
between that t-ship, in Burlington co., 
and Waterford t-ship, of Gloucester 
CO., uniting about four miles above 
the mouth, and flowing into the De- 



PEQ 



213 



PEQ 



laware, three miles above Petty's 
island. It is a mill stream, naviga- 
ble for 5 or 6 miles, and forms part 
of the boundary line between Bur- 
lington and Gloucester counties. 

Pepack Creek, mill stream, and 
ti'ibutary of the N. branch of the Ra- 
ritan ; rises in Chester t-ship, Morris 
CO., and flows to its recipient, by a 
southerly course of about 7 miles, in 
Bedminster t-ship, Somerset co. 

Pepack, p-t., of Bedminster t-ship, 
Somerset co., 11 miles N. W. from 
Somervillc, 212 from W. C, and 46 
from Trenton; contains a tavern, 
store, grist mill, and some 10 or 12 
dwellings, in a fertile limestone coun- 
try. 

Pequannock, t-ship, Morris co., 
bounded N. E. by the Pequannock 
creek, which separates it from Pomp- 
ton t-ship, Bergen co.; E. by Pomp- 
ton river, dividing it from Saddle river 
t-ship, of the same co. ; S. E. by 
Caldwell t-ship, Essex co. ; S. by 
Hanover and Randolph t-ships, and 
W. by Jefferson t-ship. Centrally dis- 
tant, N. from Morristown, 10 miles- 
Greatest length, E. and W. 16, 
breadth, 11 miles; area, 74,000 
acres. The surface of the t-ship is 
hilly, being covered with mountain 
ridges and knolls. On the northern 
boundary, is Green Pond mountain, 
girding a narrow valley, through 
which flows the Burnt Meadow branch 
of the Rockaway river, and bounded 
southward, by Mount Hope, and Cop- 
peras mountain. Between these and 
the next I'idge, is a wider valley, drain- 
ed by the Beaver Branch of the same 
river, and south of this, innominate 
knolls and ridges make valleys, 
through which run minor tributaries 
of the river. The soil of the t-ship 
is generally loam and clay, but grey 
limestone is found in the valley, S. of 
Copperas mountain, and probably in 
other places. Iron abounds in the 
hills in the N. W., and is of excellent 
quality, from which many iron works 
in the neighbourhood are supplied. 
From the sulphate of iron in the Cop- 
peras mountain, much copperas was 
formerly made. Green Pond is a 



large sheet of water, nearly 3 miles 
long, by a half-mile in width ; in the 
vale between Green Pond and Cop- 
peras mountain, much resorted to for 
boating and fishing ; and the wild 
scenery around it is much admired. 
The valley is inhabited sparsely, by 
persons dependant upon the iron 
works. Pompton plains, on the east 
border of the t-ship, are level and 
sandy, but densely inhabited, and to- 
lerably cultivated. Pompton, Mont- 
ville, Powerville, &c., are post-towns 
of the t-ship. Population in 1830, 
4451. In 1832, the t-ship contained 
129 householders, whose i-atables did 
not exceed $30 in value, 132 single 
men, 1050 taxables, 8 stores, 9 saw 
mills, 5 grist mills, 37 tan vats, 2 
distilleries, 30 chairs and sulkies, 14 
forges for making iron, 1 furnace, 1 
four horse stage, 4 rolling and slit- 
ting mills, 1 fulling mill, 690 horses 
and mules, and 2265 neat cattle, 
above the age of 3 years ; and it 
paid state tax, $574; county tax, 
$1285 10; poor tax, $800; road tax, 
$3000. The Newark and Milford 
turnpike road crosses the western, 
and the Newark and Hamburg, and 
Paterson and Hamburg, turnpike 
roads, cross the eastern end of the 
t-ship, and the Morris canal runs 
through the southern part, and for 
some distance along the valley of the 
Rockaway river. 

Pequannoclc Creek, rises in the 
Wallkill and Wawayanda mountains, 
in Sussex co., and flows by a south- 
east and south course, of about 27 
miles, to the Passaic river; forming 
the boundary between Morris and 
Bergen cos. Below Pompton village 
it takes the name of Pompton river. 
It has a rapid current, through a nar- 
row valley, and considerable volume ; 
and is, therefore, an excellent mill 
stream. 

Pequest Creek, rises by two branch- 
es, in the eastern part of Sussex co., 
which unite in Independence t-ship, 
Warren co., and flow thence by a 
S. W. course, through Oxford t-ship, 
to the Delaware river, at the town of 
Belvidere. Its whole leneth is about 



PER 



214 



PER 



80 miles. This is a large and rapid 
stream, affording abundant water- 
power, and draining, by the main 
stem and branches, an extensive val- 
ley of primitive limestone. (See Bel- 
videre.) 

Perryville, small p-town of Beth- 
lem t-ship, Hunterdon co., on the 
turnpike road from Somerville to 
Philipsburg, about 10 miles N. of 
Flemington, 35 from Trenton, and 
194 fromW. C. 

Perth Amboy City, p-t., t-ship, 
and port of entry of Middlesex co., 
at the head of the Raritan bay, and 
at the confluence of the Raritan river 
with the Arthur Kill, or Staten Island 
Sound. It lies 14 miles from the 
sea, at Sandy Hook, 25 miles by the 
Sound from New York, 15 by the 
river, and 10 by land, from New 
Brunswick ; 36 by post-route from 
Trenton, 65 by rail-road fi'om Phila- 
delphia, and 212 from W. C. The 
port, large and safe, and one of the 
best on the continent, is easily ap- 
proached from the sea by a broad 
estuary, having generally 12 feet 
water, and in the main channel from 
24 to 26 feet. 

This advantageous site for a town, 
was early noticed by the agents of the 
East Jersey proprietors ; in the lan- 
guage of deputy governor Lawrie, 
in 1684, " there being no such place 
in all England, for conveniency and 
pleasant situation." The place was 
known to the aborigines as Artibo, 
the Point; and was greatly resorted 
to by them on account of its fish and 
oysters, the latter of which are yet 
abundant here. The relics of Indian 
festivities, are still visible in the large 
quantities of oyster shells which min- 
gle with, and enrich portions of the 
soil. The name of Perth was given 
to it in honour of James, Earl of 
Perth, one of the 24 proprietaries ; 
and it was called by that name only in 
the instructions of the proprietaries, 
until 1698, when we, for the first 
time, in the instructions to the deputy 
governor, Basse, find the name of 
" Perth Amboy." 



The town was laid out into 150 
lots, by Samuel Groome, one of the 
proprietaries, and surveyor general, 
as early as 1683. In the following 
year, Gawn Lawrie, a proprietary 
and deputy governor, added large 
tracts for out-lots. The town plot 
was designed to contain 1500 acres ; 
and lots were sold at 20 pounds, with 
condition that the purchasers should 
each build a house 30 feet long, by 
18 feet wide. Lawrie contracted at 
this time for the erection of several 
houses for the proprietaries, and one 
60 feet long and 18 wide, for the go- 
vernor. He was directed to make 
the town the seat of government and 
the chief mart of the province, and to 
incorporate the inhabitants by char- 
ter, with the necessary privileges and 
jurisdiction of a city. 

This was a favourite spot with the 
East Jersey proprietaries, who used 
many efforts to render it the site of a 
large city, but it was overshadowed 
by New York, and their exertions 
were in vain. After the surrender of 
the proprietary governments to the 
crown, the general assembly and the 
supreme court of the province, as- 
sem.bled at this place and Burlington, 
alternately. 

The city was incorporated under 
the proprietary and royal govern- 
ments, but its present charter em- 
bracing the provisions of the prior 
ones, is under the act of 21st Decem- 
ber, 1784, and gives the following 
boundaries. " Beginning at the meet- 
ing of the waters of the Raritan river 
with those of the Sound, at that part 
of Staten Island from the main to the 
southward of the flat or shoal that 
runs off from Cole Point; thence up 
the Sound, on the eastern bank of the 
channel as the sanne runs to Wood- 
bridge creek ; thence up the creek to 
the mouth of the stream on which 
Cutler's mill stands ; thence up said 
creek to a lane leading to a line be- 
tween George Herriott and Grace 
Innsley ; thence by said lane to the 
road leading from Amboy to New 
Brunswick ; thence by said road south 



PER 



215 



PER 



to a lane leading to Florida Landing ; 
thence by said lane to the north cor- 
ner of the farm late of Samuel Ne- 
ville ; thence by the line of the same 
to Raritan river, and across the same 
to the south bank of the channel 
thereof; and thence to the place of 
beginning." The government of the 
city is under a mayor, recorder, three 
aldermen, who are justices of the 
peace, cx-officio, and appointed by 
the legislature for seven years ; and 
six common councilmen, sheriff, coro- 
ner, and sergeant-at-mace, and town- 
ship officers, elected annually by the 
people. The mayor, recorder, and 
aldermen, have power to grant tavern 
licenses, and to hold a court of re- 
cord, having jurisdiction of all causes 
of a commercial nature, wherein the 
matter in dispute shall have arisen 
within the corporation, and subsists 
between foreigner and foreigner, or 
between foreigner and citizen of the 
United States. And to induce the set- 
tlement of merchants here the port 
was declared free, and they exempt 
from taxation for 25 years. The 
township contains 2577 acres of land, 
of alluvial formation, consisting of 
clay, sand loam, and gravel, in 
which, at various depths, are found 
organic remains. It is elevated above 
the tide some 40 or 50 feet, and is un- 
dulating in its surface. The popula- 
tion, which is principally gathered 
near the point, there not being more 
than 20 dwellings separated from the 
town, amounted in 1830, to 879. 
The township in 1832, contained 
about 140 dwellings, 78 household- 
ers, whose ratable estates did not ex- 
ceed $30 in value; 39 single men, 
10 storekeepers or traders, 5 taverns, 
an Episcopal, Presbyterian, and a 
Baptist church, 1 school for boys, 
another for girls, and a third esta- 
blished under the school fund of the 
state. St. Peter's the Episcopal 
church, was founded probably about 
the year 1685. In July 30th, 1718, 
it was incorporated by George I ; 
and William Eier, and John Barclay, 
were appointed the first church war- 
dens, and Thomas Gordon Esq., 



John Rudyard, Robert King, and 
John Stevens, the first vestrymen. 
The church is indebted to Thomas 
Gordon, George Willocks, and Mar- 
garetta Willocks, his wife, and major 
John Harrison, for considerable en- 
dowments, upon which its prosperity is 
based. There is an extensive pottery 
of excellent stone-ware in the town in 
which the clay from South Amboy 
is chiefly, if not solely used. But the 
chief business of the city is the oys- 
ter fishery. The shell-fish are abun- 
dant in the bay, and the bottom is so 
favourable to their growth, that large 
numbers are transplanted thither, not 
only from the river above, but also 
from Virginia. A capital of more 
than $40,000 is said to be thus em- 
ployed, yielding an annual profit of 
more than $20,000. The state of 
New Jersey has leased about 250 
acres of land, covered with water, 
here, in small lots, of a few acres 
each, whose tenants rear oysters 
upon them. But the state of New 
York, claiming exclusive right of 
property, in the soil under water, to 
the line of low-water mark, on the 
shore of the state ; conflicting claims 
have induced vexatious disputes, and 
even alarming riots, which have pre- 
vented the quiet enjoyment of the 
tenants, and the collection of rents. 
In 1832, the city paid poor tax, $350; 
county tax, $135 87; and state tax, 
$110 56. 

From its agreeable position, vicini- 
ty to the ocean, and sea-water baths, 
Perth Amboy is a pleasant residence 
during the hot months, and is much 
visited for recreation, by the citizens 
of New York. Some- years since, a 
very large and commodious hotel, 
called Brighton, was erected for their 
accommodation; but, at that period, 
there was not sufficient support to 
sustain it, and Brighton-house is now 
a handsome country-seat. 

The destiny of this town, long ob- 
scured, notwithstanding its fine port, 
and pleasant and healthy position, is 
probably about to receive a favoura- 
ble change, through the agency of 
the Delaware and Raritan canal, and 



PIL 



216 



PIS 



the rail-roads to Philadelphia. The 
ready transportation of merchandise, 
by these means, may convert this 
into an out-port of Philadelphia. 

The collection district of Perth 
Amboy, comprehends all that part of 
East New Jersey, (that part excepted 
which is included in the district of 
Little Egg Harbour) south of Eliza- 
bethtown, together with all the waters 
thereof, within the jurisdiction of the 
state. The towns of New Brunswick, 
and Middletown Point, are ports of 
delivery only. The collector resides 
at Amboy, and a surveyor at New 
Brunswick. 

Peter^s Beach, on the Altantic 
ocean, Galloway t-ship, Gloucester 
CO., at the mouth of Absecum inlet, 
and between it and Quarter inlet. 

Philipsburg, town of Greenwich 
t-ship, Warren co., on the left bank 
of the Delaware river, opposite the 
borough of Easton, in Pennsylvania, 
14 miles below the town of Belvidere, 
and about 60 above Trenton. Con- 
tains about 20 dwellings, 4 stores, 
and 2 taverns. The Morris canal 
communicates with the Delaware 
here, opposite to, and a short distance 
below, the basin of the Lehigh canal. 
A bridge of wood of three arches, 
covered, 600 feet long, and 24 feet 
wide, over the Delaware, which cost 
$80,000, connects Philipsburg with 
Easton. 

PiJfe Brook, tributary of No-Pipe 
Brook, rises in the Nashanic moun- 
tain, Montgomery t-ship, Somerset 
CO., and flows S. E. about 5 miles to 
its recipient. 

Pilesgrove, t-ship, Salem co., 
bounded, N. E. by Woolwich t-ship, 
Gloucester co., from which it is di- 
vided by Oldman's creek ; S. E. by 
Pittsgrove t-ship; S. W. by Upper 
Alloways, and Mannington t-ships, 
and N. W. by Upper Penn's Neck 
t-ship. Centrally distant, N. E. from 
Salem, 10 miles. Greatest length 9, 
breadth 6^ miles ; area, about 24,000 
acres; of which, little more than 1000 
may be unimproved. Surface, level ; 
soil, stiff clay and deep loam, well 
cultivated in wheat, rye, oats, and 



corn. The Salem creek flows N. W. 
through the t-ship, and gives motion 
to a woollen factory, and several mills. 
Population in 1830, 2150. In the 
year 1832, there were in the t-ship, 
128 householders, whose ratables 
did not exceed $30 ; 3 grist mills, 3 
saw mills, 4 tan yards, 2 distilleries 
for cider, 553 horses and mules, and 
966 head of neat cattle, above the age 
of 3 years. Sharptown and Woods- 
town are villages and post-towns of 
the t-ship. Near the latter are some 
valuable marl beds. There are 1 
Quaker, 1 Baptist, and 1 African 
Methodist church in the t-ship. 

Pimple Hill, a noted eminence of 
Hardiston t-ship, Sussex co., near 
the eastern line of the t-ship. 

Pine Brook, Caldwell t-ship, Essex 
CO., rises in the Second mountain, 
and flows W. to the Passaic river, 
by a course of about 3 miles. It is a 
mill stream. 

Pine Mount Creek, Greenwich 
t-ship, Salem co., rises on the E. line 
of the t-ship, and flows southward, 
some 3 or 4 miles, when dividing into 
two branches, in opposite directions, 
it isolates an eminence covered with 
pines, and bounded southward by the 
Cohansey river, of which the creek is , 
a tributary. 

Piscataway, t-ship, Middlesex co., 
bounded N. by Westfield t-ship ; E. 
by Woodbridge; S. and S. W. by 
the Raritan river, and N. W. by 
Green Brook, separating it from War- 
ren t-ship, Somerset co. Centrally 
distant, N. from New Brunswick, 5 
miles. Greatest length, N. and S. 9 
miles; breadth, E. and W. 7^ miles; 
area, 27,000 acres. Green Brook 
receives from the t-ship two tributa- 
ries, Amherst and Cedar Brooks. New 
Market, post-town ; Samptown, Green 
Brook, Brooklyn, New Durham, Pis- 
cataway, and Raritan Landing, are 
villages of the t-ship. Population in 
1830, 3969. In 1832, the t-ship, 
contained an Episcopalian church, 
695 taxables, 85 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 in value; 
91 single men, 10 stores, 2 saw mills, 
6 grist mills, 1 plaster mill, 4 distil- 



PIT 



217 



PLA 



leries, 709 horses and mules, and 
1501 neat cattle, above the age of 3 
years; and it paid state tax, $495 91; 
county tax, $609 72; poor tax, $1400; 
road tax, $1000. The surface of 
the t-ship is level, soil of loam, clay, 
and red shale, generally very well 
qultivated. 

Piscataway, village of the above 
t-ship, 3 miles E. from New Bruns- 
wick, and 1 N. from the Raritan 
river, on the turnpike road I'rom New 
Brunswick to Woodbridge; contains 
an Episcopal church, a store, tavern, 
and some 10 or 12 dwellings, in a 
tolerably fertile country. This was 
an old Indian village, and is re- 
markable for having been the seat 
of justice for Middlesex and Somei-- 
set COS., so early as the year 1683. 
At that period, the courts were holden 
sometimes at this place, and some- 
times at Woodbridge. 

Piscot Brook, a small tributary 
of the south branch of the Raritan 
river, rises in Round valley, in the 
S. E. angle of Lebanon t-ship, Hun- 
terdon CO. 

Pittsgrove, t-ship, Salem co., 
bounded N. E. by Franklin and 
Woolwich t-ships, of Gloucester co. ; 
S. E. by Millville t-ship, of Cumber- 
land CO. ; S. W. by Upper Deerfield 
t-ship, of Cumberland, and by Upper 
Alloway's Creek t-ships, of Salem 
CO. Centrally distant, E. from Sa- 
lem, 16 miles. Greatest length, 15, 
breadth, 7 miles ; area, about 44,000 
acres, of which 26,000 acres are un- 
improved. Population in 1830, 2216. 
Surface, partly undulating, and part- 
ly level ; the soil is chiefly sandy and 
gravelly loam. A proportion on the 
N. W. part, is forest, of pine and 
white oak timber, which has been 
much cut over, and ^is known as the 
Barrens. It is drained on the S. E. 
and S. W. by branches of Maurice 
run, and on the N. W. by the head 
waters of Salem and Oldman's creeks. 
Daretown, Ccntrcville, and Pittstown, 
are villages of the t-ship; the last 
two of which are post-towns. There 
were in 1832, in the t-ship, 1 Pres- 
byterian, 1 Baptist, and 3 Methodist 
2E 



churches; 161 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 in value ; 
510 taxablcs, 6 stores, 2 grist mills, 
5 saw mills, 2 fulling mills, 1 large 
tan yard, 5 cider distilleries, 525 
horses and mules, and 933 neat cat- 
tle, above 3 years of age. The t-ship 
paid tax for t-ship purposes, $300; 
county, $921 92 ; state tax, $294 42. 
By the act of 19th Nov., 1821, and 
its supplement, 19th Nov., 1823, a 
township called Centreville, was taken 
from this, but was returned to it, by 
act 18th Feb., 1829. 

Pittstown, p-t., of Salem co. ; cen- 
trally situate in Pittsgrove t-ship, 16 
miles E. of Salem; 180 N. E. of 
W. C, and 74 S. from Trenton; 
contains 15 dwellings, 2 taverns, and 
2 stores, a grist mill, saw mill, school 
house, and masonic hall. The soil 
around it, light and sandy. 

Pittstoion, Alexandria t-ship, Hun- 
terdon CO., on the line of Kingwood 
t-ship, and on a tributary of the S. 
branch of the Raritan river, 8 miles 
N. W. of Flemington, 31 from Tren- 
ton, and 190 from W. C; contains 
1 tavern, 1 store, a grist mill, and be- 
tween 15 and 20 dwellings. The 
soil around it is clay, cold and poor ; 
surface hilly. 

Plainfield, a large and thriving 
village of Westfield t-ship, Essex co., 
on Green Brook, the line between 
that and Somerset co. 211 miles N. 
E. from W. C, 65 from Philadelphia, 
45 from Trenton, 20 S. W. from 
Newark, 16 from Elizabethtown, 25 
from New York, and 11 N. E. from 
New Brunswick ; — on a plain of very 
level land, between 2 and 3 miles 
wide, and about 11 long; contains 
1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Me- 
thodist church, 2 Friends' meeting 
houses, (Flicksite and Orthodox) 2 
grist mills, 1 saw mill, 4 stores, 3 
schools, 2 clergymen, 1 lawyer, 2 
physicians, 2 taverns, 4 stores, 13 
master hatters, who manufacture 
about $75,000 worth of hats annual- 
ly; 5 master tailors, employing 70 
hands, who work for the southern 
market ; a fire engine, and company, 
a mutual insurance company, eata- 



PLE 



218 



POL 



Wished in 1833, which in a few 
months, executed policies to the 
amount of more than $150,000; 
and 120 dwellings; a ladies' library, 
an apprentices' library. A four- 
horse mail stage, to New York, three 
times a week, and as often to Phila- 
delphia, on alternate days, runs 
through the village. The country 
around the town is rich, well culti- 
vated, and healthy ; the water good, 
and the society moral and religious, 
and ambitious of improvement. The 
neighbouring mountain, about a mile 
N. of the town, affords an abundant 
supply of cheap fuel, and screens the 
valley from the violence of the N. 
and N. W. winds; and gives a very 
pleasing prospect to the S. and E., 
over a space of 30 miles. 

Plainshoroiigh, hamlet of South 
Brunswick t-ship, Middlesex co., 14 
miles S. W. of New Brunswick, 14 
S. E. from Trenton; contains a ta- 
vern, store, and 8 or 10 dwellings. 
Soil, light, gravelly and sterile. 

Plainville, Montgomery t-ship, 
Somerset co., 8 miles S. W. from 
Somerville; contains a tavern, store, 
and 4 or 5 dwellings. 

Pleasant Grove, on Schooley's 
mountain, Washington t-ship, Morris 
CO., on the turnpike road from Mor- 
ristown to Easton, 21 miles from the 
former, and 20 from the latter ; con- 
tains a tavern, store, and several 
dwellings, and a very neat stone 
church, belonging to Presbyterians. 
The surrounding country is pleasant, 
and is improving much by the use of 
lime ; the soil is a stiff clay. 

Pleasant Mills, p-t. of Galloway 
t-ship, Gloucester co., on the Atsion 
river, 30 miles S. E. from Woodbury, 
65 from Trenton, and 173 from W. 
C. ; contains a tavern, 2 stores, a 
glass factory, belonging to Messrs. 
Coffan & Co., a cotton factory, with 
3000 spindles, and from 20 to 30 
dwellings. 

Pleasant Valley, of the South 
mountain, Mansfield t-ship, Warren 
CO., through which runs a small tri- 
butary of the Pohatcong creek. The 
soil here, as in other valleys of the 



t-ship, is of primitive limestone. There 
is a small hamlet in the valley, at 
which there is a grist mill, and seve- 
ral dwellings, upon the turnpike road 
to Easton. 

Pleasant Valley, Randolph t-ship, 
Morris co., through which flows 
Dell's brook. The sides of the vale 
are of gentle ascent ; part of the land 
good, and well cultivated. 

Pluckemin, p-t. of Bedminster 
t-ship, Somerset co., 6 miles N. W. 
from Somerville, at the foot of Bask- 
ing Ridge, 205 miles N. E. from W. 
C., and 39 from Trenton ; contains 
1 tavern, 2 stores, and from 25 to 30 
dwellings. 

Pochuck Mountain, on the W. 
side of Vernon t-ship, Sussex co., 
extends about 8 miles northwardly. 
Along its eastern foot runs the Po- 
chuck turnpike road, leading from 
Hamburg towards the state of New 
York. The mountain is composed 
of primitive rock, of which horn- 
blende is a principal constituent. Its 
base is surrounded with primitive 
limestone. 

Pohatcong Creek, Warren co., 
I'ises near the N. E. boundary of 
Mansfield t-ship, and flows S. W. 
through that and Greenwich t-ships, 
by a course of three or four and 
twenty miles to the Delaware river, 
8 or 9 miles below Philipsburg. 
This fine stream flows through and 
drains a wide and fertile valley of pri- 
mitive limestone, which is very well 
cultivated, and produces large quanti- 
ties of wheat. There is a fine view 
of the valley from the south-eastern 
acclivity of Scott's Mountain, on the 
road to Oxford furnace; the creek 
runs somewhat parallel with the Mus- 
conetcong, both following the range 
of the mountains, and at their mouths 
are scarce two miles asunder. 

Point Comfort, west cape of Sandy 
Hook bay, Middleton t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., projecting into the Raritan 
bay, 8 miles S. E. of Perth Amboy, 
and about an equal distance from 
Sandy Hook light-house. 

Pole Tavern, a noted tavern and 
cluster of houses in Pitsgrove t-ship, 






POM 



219 



PON 



about 4 miles N. W. of Pittstown, 
and 14 E. of Salem. 

Pompeston Creek, mill stream of 
Chester t-ship, Burlington co., flow- 
ing by a N. W. course of about 5 
miles, and emptying into the Dela- 
ware river, nearly opposite to the 
mouth of the Pennepack creek. 

Pompton t-ship, Bergen co., bound- 
ed N. by Orange co., New York ; E. 
by Franklin t-ship; S. by Pequan- 
nock and Jefferson t-ships, Morris 
CO. ; and W. by Hardiston and Ver- 
non t-ships, Sussex co. Centrally 
distant N. W. from Hackensack, 23 
miles ; greatest length E. and W. 
14 miles; breadth N. and S. 12 
miles; area, about 70,000 acres, of 
which about 55,000 are unim- 
proved, and much of it covered with 
forest; surface, very hilly; the Ra- 
mapo mountain, extending over the 
eastern boundary, and Bear Foot 
mountain along the western ; the in- 
tervening space is broken into knolls 
of various sizes and shapes. The 
soil is generally clay and loam, but 
some primitive limestone appears near 
Mackepin lake. In these hills is 
found an extensive deposit of iron, in 
the same vein which runs through 
Schooley's mountain. Ringwood ri- 
ver bathes the western base of the 
Ramapo mountain; Long Pond or 
Greenwood lake, which crosses the 
northern boundary from New Yoi'k, 
sends a tributary to it called Long 
Pond river. Dunker, Buck, Cedar, 
Hanks, and Mackepin ponds, in the 
south-west part of the t-ship, give 
their surplus waters to the Pequan- 
iiock, winch, under the name of 
Pompton river, flows along the south- 
ern boundary ; Long Flouse creek 
flows northerly through the north- 
west angle. Population in 1830, 
3085. in 1832, the t-ship contained 
750 taxables, 229 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 ; 79 sin- 
gle men, 6 stores, 15 grist mills 14 
saw mills, 16 forge fires, 2 fulling 
mills, 20 tan vats, 2 distilleries, 519 
horses and mules, and 1816 neat cat- 
tle over 3 years of age; and paid 
state tax, f 340 13; county, $649 17. 



The Morris canal crosses the Pomp- 
ton river about 2 miles above its 
mouth in this t-ship, by a wooden 
aqueduct 236 feet long, supported by 
9 stone piers. 

Pompton Plain, lies between the 
Pompton mountain and the Preakness 
hills, and is nearly 20 miles in cir- 
cumference, with a variable breadth 
seldom exceeding four miles. It is a 
fresh water alluvion, and strata of 
gravel, sand, and clay, without rocks 
in place, are uniformly found here 
wherever wells have been dug. It 
was, probably, at some remote period, 
the bed of a lake. The Pequannock, 
Ringwood, and Ramapo rivers, unit- 
ing at the head of the Plain, form 
the Pompton river, which flows along 
its eastern side to the Passaic, about 
8 miles. The southern, and much 
of the western part of the plain is 
marshy, and embraces about 1500 
acres of peat ground, the fuel from 
which, so far as can be determined 
by a ditch running four miles through 
it, appears to be good. In the south- 
ern part of the plain, good granular 
argillaceous oxide of iron, or pea ore 
is raised from a space of about 200 
acres. There is a straggling village 
upon the plain, comprising a Dutch 
Reformed church, a tavern, 3 stores, 
an academy, and about 30 dwellings : 
and at the head of the plain is 

Pompton, p-t., 18 miles N. E. of 
Morristown, 236 from W. C, and 70 
fi'om Trenton ; containing a tavern, 
store, grist mill, and 12 or 15 dwell- 
ings, and a Dutch Reformed church. 
(See Ryersons.) 

Pompton Mountain, an angular 
hill, of Pequannock t-ship, Morris co., 
bounding the Pompton plains, W. 
and N. W. The sides of the angle 
are respectively about 4 miles long. 

Pond Creek, Downe t-ship, Cum- 
berland CO., a short inlet to the 
marsh on the W. side of Maurice 
river cove. 

Po7id Creek, a small stream flow- 
ing from Lower t-ship. Cape May co., 
into the Delaware bay, near 2 miles 
N. of the Light-house. 

Pond Run, small tributary of the 



POT 



220 



PRI 



Assunpink creek, Nottingham t-ship, 
Burlington co., unites with its reci- 
pient, after a N. W. course of about 
5 miles. 

Ponds; name given to a neighbour- 
hood of the S. W. part of Franklin 
t-ship, Bergen co. ; so called, possi- 
bly, from a small lake. There is a 
German Reformed church here, also 
called Ponds. 

Port Elizabeth, p-t. of Maurice 
river t-ship, Cumberland co., upon 
the Manamuskin creek, near its con- 
fluence with the Maurice river, about 
14 miles from the Delaware bay, 16 
S. E. from Bridgeton, 85 from Tren- 
ton, and 182 from W. C. ; contains 
from 80 to 100 dwellings, 1 tavern, 
4 stores, a Baptist church, an acade- 
my — a commodious building; some 
large glass woi'ks, managed by a 
company of Germans, under the firm 
of Getz, Zinger, and Co., at which 
large quantities of window glass and 
hollow ware are made. The hands 
of this establishment speak the Ger- 
man language altogether, and are re- 
markable for their cultivation of music. 
A considerable lumber trade is carried 
on from the town, and some ship build- 
ing is done there. The town is 16 
miles from the Delaware bay, by the 
sinuosities of Maurice river, and 8 by 
land. The river is navigable for ves- 
sels of 120 tons. There are 4 grist, 
and 3 saw mills within 3 miles of the 
town. Much business is done here 
in wood, lumber, and rails. The 
town is built on good land, and is 
surrounded by very valuable mea- 
dows, worth $100 the acre. 

Port Norris, landing and store- 
house, with a tavern, store, and 6 or 
8 dweUings, on the west side of Mau- 
rice river, about 10 miles from the 
mouth, 5 miles from Dividing Creek 
village, and 22 from Bridgeton. 

Pottersville, p-t. of Hunterdon co., 
on the line separating Readington 
from Tewkesbury t-ship, and on the 
turnpike road leading from Somer- 
ville to Philipsburg, 10 miles N. E. 
from Flemington, 43 miles from 
Trenton, and 211 from W. C. ; con- 



tains a tavern, store, and a few dwell- 
ings. 

Potter''s Falls, on the Lamington 
river, at the angle of junction of Hun- 
terdon, Morris, and Somerset cos. 

Poverty Beach, on the Atlantic 
ocean, immediately north of Cape 
May Island, Lower t-ship. Cape May 
CO., extends about three miles in 
length by half a mile in breadth. 

Poiicrshon, small village of Bloom- 
field t-ship, Essex co., 5 miles north 
of Newark; contains a school house 
and several dwellings. The poor- 
house of the t-ship is in the valley 
near it. 

Poiverville, p-t. of Pequannock 
t-ship, Morris co., in the valley of the 
Rockaway river, 10 miles N. E. from 
Morristown, 234 from W. C, and 68 
from Trenton ; contains a tavern, 2 
stores, a forge, a grist and saw mill, 
and from 10 to 15 dwellings. Coun- 
try around rough and sterile. 

Prallsville, p-t. of Amwell t-ship, 
Hunterdon co., on the river Dela- 
ware, 10 miles S. W. from Fleming- 
ton, 20 N. from Trenton, and 174 
from W. C. ; contains 1 store, 1 ta- 
vern, some 6 or 8 dwellings, and a 
grist mill, at the mouth of the Wick- 
hechecoke creek. There is a fine 
bridge here over the Delaware, erect- 
ed on stone piers, by an incorporated 
company. The surrounding country 
is hilly. 

PreaJcness Mountain, a distin- 
guished hill of Saddle River t-ship, 
Bergen co., commencing about three 
miles N. W. from Paterson, and run- 
ning in a semicircular direction se- 
veral miles. It is formed by sand- 
stone surmounted by trap rock, and 
embosoms an extensive valley. 

PreaJcness BrooJc, Saddle River 
t-ship, Bergen co., which, after a 
south course of about 6 miles, flows 
into the Passaic river, about 2 miles 
above the Little Falls. Preakness 
Dutch Reformed church, is in the 
valley of this stream, near its source. 

Primrose Creek, tributary of the 
Passaic river, Morris t-ship, Morris 
CO., has a course of about six miles 
from its source to its recipient. 



PRI 



221 



RAH 



Prospect Plains, level tract of 
country extending between Cranber- 
ry Brook and Manalapan Brook, with 
a light sandy soil, in South Ainboy 
t-ship, Middlesex co. 

Princeton, p-t. and borough, partly 
in Montgomery t-ship, Somerset co., 
and partly in Windsor t-ship, Middle- 
sex CO., on the main road between 
New York and Philadelphia, 50 miles 
from the one, and 40 from the other, 
11 from Trenton, 25 from New 
Brunswick, and 177 from W. C. ; 
situated in a very pleasant countiy of 
red shale and alluvion, and remark- 
able for the salubrity of its climate, 
the beauty of its villas, and the neat- 
ness, generally, of its buildings. It 
was incorporated as a borough in 
1813, and contains about 185 dwell- 
ing houses, and at least 1100 inhabi- 
tants, exclusive of the youth connect- 
ed with the public institutions, of 
whom there are, at present, (1833) 
about 350. 

The Delaware and Raritan canal 
runs within a half mile of the bo- 
rough, and has already contributed, 
in no small degree, to its prosperity. 
The office of the company is esta- 
blished here. 

Besides the buildings belonging to 
the literary institutions, (for these see 
pages 84, 85,) there are in Prince- 
ton, a Presbyterian church, an Epis- 
copal church, and two other houses 
for public worship, belonging to the 
Presbyterian society ; one of which 
is for the use of the coloured popu- 
lation. The literary institutions of 
Princeton are a college, a theological 
seminary, three classical schools, two 
schools for the instruction of young 
ladies, and three or four common 
schools; all independent of each 
other. 

The name of Pi'inceton is associ- 
ated, not only with the literary repu- 
tation of our country, but also with 
her struggle for independence ; since, 
in the immediate vicinity of this place, 
was fought the memorable battle of 
January 3d, 1777, in which the Bri- 
tish army was routed by the Ameri- 
cans, under the command of General 



Washington, and in which the la- 
mented Mercer was mortally wound- 
ed. A large painting commemorative 
of these events, is suspended in the 
chapel of the college. 

Quarterns Inlet, from the Atlantic 
ocean to Reed's bay, between Brigan- 
tine beach on the east, and Peter's 
beach on the west, Galloway t-ship, 
Gloucester co. 

Qtiaker Bridge, over Batsto river, 
Washington t-ship, Burlington co., 
6 miles S. E. of Shamong village, 
and 4 from Atsion Furnace. There 
is a tavern here. 

Quakertown. (See Fairview.) 

Quintan's Bridge, small village 
and p-t. on Alloways creek, in Upper 
AUoways t-ship, Salem co., 5 miles 
S. E. of Salem, 174 N. E. from W. 
C, and 68 S. from Trenton ; contains 
some 12 or 15 dwellings, 1 tavern, 
and 2 stores. It is a landing at 
which much wood is delivered for 
the Philadelphia market. The bridge 
is noted in the county for a massa- 
cre of some militia, by a party of 
British troops, while on a foraging 
party, during the occupancy of Phi- 
ladelphia by Sir William Howe, in 
the revolutionary war. 

Raccoon Creek, rises in Franklin 
t-ship, Gloucester co., and flows 
thence N. W. through Woolwich 
t-ship, by a course of 17 miles to the 
River Delaware, opposite to Shiver's 
island. It is navigable for sloops 7 
or 8 miles to Swedesborough, and for 
boats to Mullica Hill, 5 miles further. 

Railway River, called by the abo- 
rigines Rp.hawack, anglice, Man's 
River, rises in the valley between the 
First and Second mountains. Orange 
t-ship, Essex co., and flows thence 
S. W. and S. to Springfield, where it 
receives several considerable tributa- 
ries; thence by a south course of 
about 8 miles it passes by Rahway 
village, where it meets the tide ; and 
thence by a south-east course of about 
5 miles, dividing Middlesex from Es- 
sex CO., it unites with Staten Island 
Sound, 9 or 10 miles N. E. of Perth 
Amboy. It is navigable to Rahway 
village for vessels of 80 tons burden. 



RAH 



222 



RAH 



and receives at the village the Mid- 
dle or Robinson's branch, and the 
South branch. Upon these branches 
there are severable valuable mill 
seats, and on the main branch be- 
tween Springfield and tide-water, 
there are 20 mills employed in grind- 
ing grain, sawing lumber, and manu- 
facturing paper, cotton, and wool. 
On the river, there is some of the 
best brick clay of the United States ; 
and the manufacture of bricks was, at 
one period, so great here, as to em- 
ploy steadily about 40 sloops in their 
transport to New York. Owing to 
the scarcity of fuel, this manufacture 
has declined. 

Rahway, p-t., including what was 
formerly called Bridgetown, lies upon 
the Rahway river, at the head of 
tide, five miles from its mouth, partly 
in Woodbridge t-ship, Middlesex co., 
and partly in Rahway t-ship, Essex 
CO.; distant N. E. 205 miles from 
W. C, 39 from Trenton, 11 from 
Brunswick S. W., 10 from Newark, 
18 from Jersey City, and 8 from 
Amboy; consists of four detached 
villages, Rahway Proper, north of 
Robinson's branch. Union, Bridge- 
town, and Leesville, on the south. 
This diversity of names is productive 
of some irregularity in the transit of 
letters to the town, and has induced 
a wish to change the name; and 
some of the inhabitants propose to 
substitute that of " Athens.'''' There 
are here, about 350 dwellings, con- 
taining, it is said, 3000 inhabitants, 
mostly of New England origin ; this 
would give a greater average num- 
her of inhabitants to a house, than 
in any other district of the state; an 
elegant Presbyterian church erected 
in 1831, a Methodist, Baptist, and an 
African Episcopal church, and two 
Quaker meeting houses pertaining to 
the Orthodox and Hicksite parties, re- 
spectively. The citizens, with enter- 
prise and liberality worthy of high 
commendation, have established, un- 
der the general incorporation law of 
the state, a library company, and a 
Sunday school association, which has 
erected a commodious house, sup- 



posed to be the first designed ex- 
pressly and exclusively for Sunday 
schools in the world ; and a second 
Sunday school house is about to 
be built by the Methodists here. A 
joint stock company have reared 
the '■'■Athenian Academy,''^ a noble 
building 68 feet long by 36 wide, 
two stories high ; the upper used as 
a lecture room; costing 5000 dol- 
lars, and which was opened for lite- 
rary exercises 12tK August, 1833, by 
a neat and exciting address from the 
president of the trustees of the insti- 
tution, Mr. Robert Lee. The tutors 
of this seminary have fixed sala- 
ries, and are thus relieved from the 
anxiety and distraction of mind aris- 
ing from uncertain and precarious 
compensation. But we may observe 
also, that the stimulus to exertion 
and the attainment of excellence, has 
been in a great measure thereby re- 
moved. The professors in the schools 
of Germany, certainly infei'ior to 
none in the world, are supported by 
their pupils, whose number depends 
on the reputation of the teachers. 
Perhaps the best mode of compensa- 
tion, is that which, providing certain 
subsistence, leaves merit to find its 
own reward from popular favour. 
"The Athenian Academy", had 1^6 
pupils in the first week of its exist- 
ence. Besides this institution , Rah way 
has six common public schools, and 
a very large and commodious literary 
institution, built and directed by Mr. 
Samuel Oliver. There are also in 
the village a bank, called the " Farm- 
ers and Mechanics," incorporated in 
1828, with an authorized capital of 
$200,000, of which 60,000 have 
been paid in ; a fire engine, a mutual 
insurance company, and a printing 
office ; from which issues a weekly 
paper, called the Rahway Advocate ; 
25 stores, 4 taverns, (and be it re- 
membered, 10 schools,) a large build- 
ing called " The Taurine Factory," 
originally designed for the manufac- 
ture of coarse cloth and carpets from 
cow's hair, but about to be employed 
in the colouring and printing of silk ; 
the " Mammoth Saw Mill," said to 



RAH 



223 



RAM 



be the largest in the state ; belonging 
to Mr. Joseph 0. Lufberry, and for 
the supply of which, there was in 
the river, in September, 1833, more 
than $30,000 worth of pine and oak 
timber ; a steam-boat company, whose 
operations will probably be super- 
seded by the Jersey rail- road now 
making ; 5 lumber and coal yards, 1 
soap and candle manufactory, 3 
bakeries, 2 watchmakers, 4 millinery 
shops, and extensive manufactories 
of hats, boots, shoes, carriages, cabi- 
net furniture, and clothing for export ; 
clock, earthenware, coach-lace, plated 
ware for carriages, &c. &c. On the 
Rahway river, some distance above 
the town, are extensive cotton bleach- 
ing and printing works, employing 
about 100 hands. The amount of 
capital vested in manufactures here 
and in the neighbourhood, is estimat- 
ed at 356,000 dollars, and the sur- 
plus product of the town and its vici- 
nity, at from 1,000,000 to 1,200,000 
annually. Thriving as this place 
certainly is, new stimulus will be 
given to its activity by the rail-road 
now being made from " Jersey City" 
to New Brunswick, which will pass 
through the village, and thus bring 
it within an hour's journey of New 
York. The town has now commu- 
nication thrice daily with New York, 
by stages and steam-boats via Eliza- 
bethtown Point, and also by other 
conveyances. 

The soil, for many miles around 
the town, is well adapted to grass 
and grain, consisting of a fertile 
loam resting on sand, gravel and red 
shale, and much hay and grain are 
annuall}^ sent to market. In 1830, 
the population of Woodbridge town- 
ship was 3909, and of Rahway town- 
; ship, 1983, making in the two town- 
i ships in which the village lies, 5952 
^ souls. It is said, the population of 
these townships, now, 1833, amounts 
to 10,000; but, though the increase 
is certainly great, we fear it has been 
overrated. 

We insert nerhatim, the followin<T 
remark, which needs no comment, 
made by a highly respectable inha- 



bitant of the town. "Lecsville, at 
the southern part of the town, takes 
its name from a family named Lee, 
who have long resided there, and 
turnished our most enterprising and 
public spirited citizens; and as mer- 
chants and manufacturers, were the 
first to lead the way to our extensive 
trade with the southern states, and 
who have, by thei r industry and per- 
severance, liberality and enlightened 
views in other respects, greatly added 
to the prosperity of the town." 

Rahway t-ship, Essex co., bound- 
ed N. W. by Union, and N. E. by 
Elizabeth t-ship ; E. by Staten Island 
Sound ; S. by Woodbridge t-ship, 
Middlesex co. ; and W. by West- 
field t-ship. Centrally distant, ■ S. 
W. from Newark, 9 miles. Greatest 
length, E. and W., 8 ; breadth, N. 
and S., 4^ miles ; area, 10,000 acres; 
surface, level ; soil, red shale and 
well cultivated. Drained by the Rah- 
way river, vvhich runs S. centrally 
through the township, and bounds it 
on the S. E. ; by Robinson's brook, 
a tributary of that stream; and by 
Moss's creek, which, after a crooked 
course of about 7 miles, empties into 
the Sound, on the N. E. boundary. 
Rahway post-town, is the only vil- 
lage of the township, and one-half of 
that is in the adjoining county. Po- 
pulation in 1830, 1983. In 1^32, 
there were in the township, 375 tax- 
ables, 177 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30; 117 single 
men, 5 merchants, 6 gi'ist mills, 4 
saw mills, 1 paper mill, 1 printing 
and bleaching establishment, 254 
horses and mules, and 711 neat cat- 
tle, over 3 years of age; and it paid 
state tax, $212 98 ; county, $557 25 ; 
poor, $600; road, $400. 

Ramapo River, rises in the re- 
cesses of Sterling mountain. Orange 
CO., New York; and flows thence by 
a S. course, dividing the Ramapo 
mountain, to the boundary between 
that state and New Jersey, 14 miles; 
thence, deflecting S. W. it follows 
the base of the mountain, 13 miles 
to Pompton river, about 2 miles be- 
low Ryerson's, forming in part, the 



RAN 



224 



RAR 



boundary between Franklin and 
Pompton townships. It is a fine mill 
stream, receiving several small tri- 
butaries from the east, v/hich also 
move mills. 

Ramapo Mountain, Bergen co., is 
a high hill of angular form, with its 
base upon Ramapo river, in the state 
of New York, and enclosed by that 
river on the east, and Ringwood river 
on the west; partly in Pompton and 
partly in Franklin townships. Its 
breadth, at the base, is about 5 miles, 
and its length about 10. Its height 
under 1000 feet, composed of primi- 
tive rock, and covered with wood. 

Ramsaysburg. p-t. of Knowlton 
t-ship, Warren co., on the bank of 
the Delaware, 215 miles N. E. 
from W. C, and 59 from Trenton, 
and 5 miles N. from Belvidere. Con- 
tains a tavern, store, an Episcopal 
church, and some half dozen dwell- 
ings. 

Rancocus Creek, rises by two 
branches ; the north, on the western 
border of Monmouth county, flowing 
a little north of west, about 28 miles, 
passing by the town of Mount Holly, 
to which place it is navigable; the 
south branch, composed of several 
streams, which have their source in 
Burlington county, and flow north- 
westward, uniting at Eayrstown, and 
thence running by Lumberton, to the 
junction with the north branch, four 
miles below that town. This branch 
is navigable to Eayrstown. The uni- 
ted streams continue a N. W. course 
for about 7 miles, to the Delaware. 
The wood, timber, and produce of a 
large extent of country find their way 
to market by this stream. 

Randolph t-ship, Morris co., bound- 
ed N. by Rockaway river, which se- 
parates it from Pequannock t-ship; 
E. by Hanover and Morris t-ships ; 
S. by Mendham ; S. E. by Chester, 
and W. by Roxbury t-ships. Cen- 
trally distant, N. W., from Morris- 
town, 7 miles ; greatest length, 7 ; 
breadth, 5 miles ; area, 18,000 acres; 
surface, mountainous — Schooley's 
mountain, filling the northern part, 
and Trowbridge mountain crossing 



the southern. In the valley, between 
them, rises and flows Den branch of 
Rockaway river. Black river has 
one of its sources in the northern 
mountain, near the seat of the ho- 
nourable Mahlon Dickerson, Esq., 
near which also rises Dell's brook, a 
tributary of the Rockaway, flowing 
eastward through Pleasant valley. 
The great bed of magnetic iron ore 
which may be traced in the dii-ection 
of the stratification from the White 
Hills, in New Hampshire, terminates 
in this township near the Black river, 
upon its western boundaiy. On this 
bed the mine of Mr. Dickerson is 
remarkable for the abundance and 
excellent quality of its product, and 
the skill with which it is wrought ; and 
the ore is transported in wagons and 
by the Morris canal, to the furnaces 
and forges, not only of this county, 
but of the neighbouring counties and 
states. This mine has been wrought 
many years. Shafts have been sunk 
to the depth of 70 feet, and drifts dri- 
ven more than 120 feet. There is 
carbonate of lime mingled with the 
iron, which renders any other flux 
unnecessary in smelting. In 1830, 
the population of the township was 
1443 souls; and in 1832, the town- 
ship contained 324 taxables, 78 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30; 40 single men, 5 stores, 
6 saw and 4 grist mills, 1 furnace, 1 
forge, 1 oil mill, 1 fulling mill, 1 
carding machine, 35 tan vats, 250 
horses, and 770 neat cattle over three 
years of age, 4 distilleries ; and it 
paid state tax, $156 70; county tax, 
1350 82 ; poor tax, $800 ; road tax, 
$800. 

Raritan River, is formed by three 
great branches, the North, the South, 
and the Millstone river. (For a de- 
scription of the last, see article Mill- 
stone River.) The North Branch 
rises in the valley N. of Trowbridge 
mountain, in Randolph t-ship, Morris 
CO., and flows S. through that and 
Somerset co., to the main branch in 
Bridgewater t-ship, of the latter, about 
4 miles W. of Somerville, receiving 
in its course, Black or Lamington 



RAR 



225 



REA 



river, a stream longer and larger 
than itself, and several smaller tribu- 
taries. Passing through a mountain- 
ous country, it is a rapid stream, with 
a pretty direct course, and gives mo- 
tion to several mills. The South 
Branch has its source in Budd's pond 
or lake, on the summit ot" Schooley's 
mountain, and within three miles, be- 
comes an efficient mill stream, turn- 
ing several water works. It flows 
by a S. W. course, through the chain 
of hills of the South mountain to 
Clinton; thence deflects easterly 
through the same chain, passing 
within a mile and a half of Fleming- 
ton, to the western boundary of So- 
merset CO. ; thence turned to the N. 
W. by the Nashanic mountain, it 
receives the North Branch, and by 
an easterly course, traverses that 
county to the eastern boundary: 
flowing within two miles of Somer- 
ville, and receiving the Millstone 
river from the south, about three 
miles from that town. From Bound 
Brook it reassumes a S. E. course, 
and forms the boundary between So- 
merset and Middlesex counties, to 
New Brunswick; thence through the 
latter county by a winding course in 
the salt marsh, it meets the ocean at 
Perth Amboy. From this point the 
Raritan bay extends to the light- 
house on Sandy Hook, 14 miles. 
The length of the river is from Am- 
boy to New Brunswick, by the wind- 
ings 15 miles; from New Brunswick 
to the mouth of the Millstone 10; 
from the mouth of the Millstone to 
the mouth of the North Branch 7 ; 
and fronr thence to its source, 42 
miles; in all 74 miles. It may be 
navigated by small boats beyond 
Bound Brook ; but we believe this is 
never attempted above New Bruns- 
wick. To that town, sloops, schoon- 
ers, and steam-boats of considerable 
burden ascend. The Delaware and 
Raritan canal enters the valley of the 
river at the mouth of the Millstone, 
and terminates at New Brunswick. 
Immediately above Brunswick the 
river may be forded at low water, 
when below the town a 20 gun ship 

2F 



may securely ride. In high tide, 
however, sloops may pass a mile 
above the ford. The bridge opposite 
the city, near 1000 feet in length, 
wide enough for two carriages to pass 
abreast, with a foot way, built of 
wood, on 11 stone piers beside the 
abutments, was first completed in 
1796; and rebuilt by a joint stock 
company, in 1811. 

Raritan Bay, extends from the 
mouth of Raritan river, at Perth Am- 
boy eastward, 14 miles to the ocean, 
at Sandy Hook, and is about 2 miles 
wide at Amboy Point, but increases 
in width between Sandy Hook and 
the Narrows at Fort Richmond on 
Staten Island. There are two chan- 
nels through the bay. The northern 
carries from 24 to 28 feet water to 
Amboy; the southern about 12 feet. 
The bay abounds with oysters, and 
the lands beneath the water, claimed 
by the state, are in part divided into 
small lots, and granted on rent (bad- 
ly paid) to the fishermen. More than 
250 acres have been thus leased, on 
which oysters are planted from time 
to time, whose increase gives large 
annual profits to those concerned in 
the fishery. (See Perth Amboy.) 

Rai'itati Landing, on the left bank 
of the Raritan river, at the head of 
tide water, and two miles above New 
Brunswick, in Piscataway township, 
Middlesex co. This is a place of 
considerable business ; contains some 
20 dwellings, 2 stores and a tavern, 
chiefly on the primitive bank of the 
river, which is here high, and having 
between it ?nd the water, a broad bot- 
tom of rich alluvial land. There is a 
wooden bridge here across the river. 

Rattle Snalee Run, branch of Mill 
creek, Fairfield t-ship, Cumberland 
CO., uniting with its recipient at the 
village of Fairton. 

Readington t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded N. by Tewkesbury t-ship; 
E. by Bridgewatcr t-ship, Somerset 
CO.; S. and S. W. by Amwell t-ship; 
W. by Kingwood, and N. W. by 
Bethlehem t-ship. Centrally distant 
N. E. from Flemington 8 miles; 
length N. and S. 12 miles; breadth 



RED 



226 



RIN 



E. and W. 7^ miles; surface, hilly, 
except on the S. E. where it is level ; 
soil, red shale, clay, and loam. The 
South Branch of the Raritan river, 
flows on the S. W., S., and S. E. of 
the t-ship, and receives from it Camp- 
bell's and Holland's Brooks. The 
northern part is drained by Rocka- 
way creek and its branches. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 2102. In 1832 there 
were in the t-ship 7 merchants, 5 
saw mills, 7 grist mills, 6 distilleries, 
2 carding machines, and 2 fulling 
mills, 705 horses and mules, 1200 
neat cattle over 3 years of age. The 
t-ship paid state and county taxes, 
$1323 75. White House and Pot- 
terstown are post-towns of the t-ship. 

Recklesstoion, p-t. of Chesterfield 
t-ship, Burlington co., 12 miles N. 
E. of Mount Holly, 5 S. E. from Bor- 
dentown, 11 from Trenton, and 177 
from W. C. ; contains a tavern, store, 
and 10 or 12 dwellings, in a very 
fertile country of sandy loam. 

Red Bank, p-t. of Shrewsbury 
t-ship, Monmouth co., on the south 
shore of the Nevisink river, 46 miles 
E. from Trenton, 13 miles N. E. from 
Fi-eehold, 3 N. from Shrewsbury; 
contains within a circle of a mile in 
diameter about 100 dwellings, 3 ta- 
verns and 4 stores. The surrounding 
country is fertile and pleasant; a 
steam-boat runs between it and New 
York, and many persons from that 
city spend the hot weather of summer 
here; finding very agreeable enter- 
tainment in the families of respectable 
farmers, in visits to the sea shore, 
in fishing, and other rural sports. 
A bridge near 300 feet in length, 
resting on wooden piers, has been 
thrown across the river here, at the 
expense of the county. 

Red Bank, on the Delaware river, 
between Big Timber and Woodbury 
creeks, named from the colour of the 
earth of which it is composed; re- 
markable for a fort called Mercer, 
erected here during the revolutionary 
war, and its brave and successful de- 
fence by Col. Green, against a de- 
tachment from the British army, com- 
manded by Count Donop, on the 22d 



Oct. 1777 ; in which the Count and 
many officers were made prisoners, 
and a lieutenant colonel, 3 captains, 
4 lieutenants, and 70 privates were 
killed. In commemoration of this 
event, a monument of handsome grey 
marble has been reared, bearing the 
following inscription. 

THIS MONUMENT 

was erected on the 22d October, 1829, 
To transmit to posterity, a grateful re- 
membrance of the 
Patriotism and Gallantry of 
Lieut. Col. Christopher Green, who with 
400 men, conquered the Hessian army 
of 2000 troops, then in the British 
service, at the Red Bank, on 
the 22d October, 1777. 
Among the wounded was found their 
commander, 
COUNT DONOP, 
who died of his wounds, and whose body 
is interred near the spot where he fell. 
A number of the 
New Jersey and Pennsylvania 
volunteers. 
Being desirous to perpetuate the memory 
of the distinguished officers and sol- 
diers, who fought and bled in 
the glorious struggle for 
American Independence, 
HAVE 
Erected this Monument, on the 22d day 
of October, Anno Domini, 1829. 

Red Lion, hamlet of Northamp- 
ton t-ship, Burlington co., 9 miles S. 
W. from Mount Holly. 

Reed's Bay, a salt marsh lake of 
Galloway t-ship, Gloucester co., about 
2 miles in length, and 1 in breadth, 
communicating with Absecum bay, 
and with the o'cean, by a channel 
flowing through Absecum inlet. 

Repaupo Creek, Gloucester co., 
rises on the line separating Green- 
wich from Woolwich t-ship, and flows 
N. W. 7 or 8 miles, to the Delaware 
river, opposite to Chester Island. 

Rice''s Pond, Knowlton t-ship, 
Warren co., source of Beaver Brook, 
which flows thence to Bequest creek, 
by a S. W. course of 10 miles, turn- 
ing several mills in its course. 

Ringwood River, rises in Sterling 
pond, Sterling mountain, state of New 
York, and runs by a southerly course 
of 16 miles, through Pompton t-ship, 
Bergen co., to the Pequannock creek, 
forming with it Pompton river. It is 



ROC 



227 



ROC 



a rapid mill stream, and receives seve- 
ral tributaries, which also turn mills. 

Ringwood, village, on the above 
stream, and within a mile and a half 
of the state line; contains a blast fur- 
nace, a forge, a store, and three dwell- 
ings beside those for the workmen at 
the iron woi'ks. Surrounding coun- 
try, mountainous and barren ; distant 
24 miles from Hackensack. 

Ringoestown, p-t. of Amwell t-ship, 
Hunterdon co., 6 miles S. of Fle- 
mington, 17 N. of Trenton, and 176 
N. E. from W. C. ; contains 1 ta- 
vern, 3 stores, 1 Presbyterian church, 
an academy, and 26 dwellings, sad- 
dlery, and smith shop, cotton and 
woollen factory, and grist mill. This 
is a delightful village, lying in the 
valley immediately at the foot of 
the Rock mountain, and upon a soil 
of loam, composed of red shale and 
clay, very deep, and highly cultivated 
in grain and grass. Lands imme- 
diately round the village, readily 
bring $100 the acre, and those more 
distant in the valley, $50 the acre. 

Roadstown, p-t. of Cumberland 
CO., on the line dividing Stow Creek 
and Hopewell t-ships, 5 miles W. of 
Bridgeton, 179 N. E. of W. C, and 
73 by post-route from Trenton; con- 
tains 20 dwellings, 1 tavern, 2 stores, 
and a large Baptist church of brick. 
The town is peopled principally by 
the cultivators of the soil ; the soil is 
good loam, and improving by the use 
of marl. 

Robinhood, branch of Maurice 
river, a small tributary, flowing from 
the east into the river, about 2 miles 
below Maul's bridge. 

Robin's, branch of Batsto river, 
rises in Northampton t-ship, Burling- 
ton CO., and flows S. W. about 10 
miles, to its recipient in Washington 
t-ship. It is a mill stream. 

Robinson's Brook, tributary of 
Rah way river, rises on the S. W. 
border of Rahway t-ship, and flows 
E. by a course of about 6 miles, to 
its recipient at Bridgetown or Rah- 
way. 

Rockaway river, Morris co., rises 
by two principal branches in the 



mountains of Pequannock and Jeffer- 
son t-ships; the one flowing through 
Longwood valley, and the other 
through Green Pond valley, and 
commingling about a mile S. E. of 
Mount Pleasant. The united streams, 
thence, flow through a deep and rapid 
channel, by a very serpentine course 
of about 20 miles, to the Passaic river. 
The volume and fall of this stream 
adapt it admirably to hydraulic pur- 
poses, and there are many mills upon 
it, principally for working of iron, as 
at Dover, Rockaway village, Boon- 
ton, &,c. 

Rockaway Valley, of Hanover and 
Pequannock t-ships, Morris co., north 
of Trowbridge mountain ; a narrow 
vale crossed by the Rockaway river. 

Rockatcay, p-t. of Morris co., on 
both banks of the Rockaway river, 
8 miles N. of Morristown, 229 N. E. 
from W. C, and 63 from Trenton ; 
contains 1 rolling mill, 2 forges, 1 
grist and saw mill, 4 stores, 1 tavern, 
a Presbyterian or Dutch Reformed 
church, and from 20 to 25 dwellings. 
The Morris canal passes through the 
village. 

Rocky Hill, one of the chain of 
trap rock hills, which extend from 
the Delaware, below Lambertsville, 
N. E. across the state, in Amwell 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., and in Mont- 
gomery t-ship, Somerset co., about 2 
miles N. of Princeton. The sur- 
face of this hill is rugged; soil, deep 
clay, covered with heavy timber. It 
extends E. and W. about 6 miles, to 
the Millstone river, which seems to 
have forced a passage through it. 

Rocky Hill, p-t., Montgomery 
t-ship, Somerset co., at the N. E. 
base of Rocky hill, on the Millstone 
river, and turnpike road from New 
Brunswick to Lambertsville, 12 miles 
S. W. of Somerville, 185 N. E. from 
W. C, and 14 from Trenton; con- 
tains a grist and saw mill, a woollen 
manufactory, 2 stores, 2 taverns, and 
12 or 15 dwellings. 

Rockatvay Creek, Hunterdon co., 
rises by two branches; one from the 
northern part of Tewkesbury t-ship, 
and the other from the western border 



ROU 



228 



RYE 



of Readington t-ship, uniting in the 
latter t-ship, and thence flowing into 
Lamington river, or the north branch 
of the Raritan. By its longivst arm 
the stream has a course of 12 miles. 
It is a fine, rapid mill stream. 

Rock Brook, tributary of Beden's 
Brook, rises in the Nashanic moun- 
tain, Amwell t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
and by a S. E. course of about 6 
miles, unites with its recipient near 
the centre of Montgomery t-ship, So- 
merset CO. 

Rock Mountain, fills the S. E. 
angle of Amwell t-ship, and the N. 
E. angle of Hopewell t-ship, Hunter- 
don CO., and extends N. E. into So- 
merset CO., having a length of about 
10 miles, with a very irregular 
breadth. On the north it sends forth 
tributaries to the south branch of the 
Raritan river, and on the south to 
the Millstone river. The hill is of 
trap rock, imposed on old, red sand- 
stone. 

Rocksbury, village of Oxford t-sp, 
Warren co., 5 miles S. of Belvidere, 
upon the road leading to Philipsburg ; 
contains a tavern, store, 2 grist and 1 
oil mill, an air furnace for small cast- 
ings, and from 15 to 20 dwellino-s. 

Rocktown, small hamlet, of Am- 
well t-ship, Hunterdon co., 7 miles 
S. of Flemington ; contains 1 tavern, 
1 store, and some 2 or 3 dwellings. 
It lies in the pass through the Rock 
mountain, and is named from the 
abundance of large rocks around it. 

Rocky Brook, a tributary of Mill- 
stone river, rises in Upper Freehold 
t-ship, Monmouth co., above Imlay's 
mill, and flows by a N. W. course 
through East Windsor t-ship, Middle- 
sex CO., about 9 miles to its recipient, 
on the boundary of South Brunswick 
t-ship, passing through Hightstown, 
and turning several mills. 

Rotten Pond, covering about 150 
acres, on the boundary between Frank- 
lin and Pompton t-ships, Bergen co., 
and on the Ramapo mountain. 

Round Valley, in the S. E. angle 
of Lebanon t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
nearly surrounded by mountains; 
drained by Piscot Brook, a tributary 



of the south branch of the Raritan 
river. 

Rowandtoum, small village of 
Newton t-ship, Gloucester co., on the 
road from Camden to Haddonfield, 
about 4 miles from the former, and 2 
I'rorn the latter ; contains some 6 or 8 
dwellings, and several mechanics; sur- 
rounded by a country of sandy loam. 

Roxbury t-ship, Morris co., bound- 
ed N. and W. by the Hopatcong 
lake and Musconetcong river, Avhich 
separates it from Warren and Sussex 
counties; N. E. by Jefferson t-ship; 
E. by Randolph ; S. E. by Chester ; 
and S. W. by Washington t-ships. 
Centrally distant from Morristown N. 
W. 14 miles; greatest length N. and 
S. 12, breadth ^'E. and W. 10 miles; 
area, 35,840 acres ; surface, gene- 
rally mountainous; but the Sucka- 
sunny Plains extend some miles in 
length, by two or three in breadth. 
Schooley's mountain fills the greater 
portion of its area. On its summit 
lies Budd's Pond, two miles in length 
by one in breadth, whence flows a 
tributary of the south branch of the 
Raritan river; the main stream of 
which has its source in a small pond, 
two miles north of Drakesville, in 
this t-ship. Black river forms, in part, 
its eastern boundary. On the moun- 
tain the soil is clay and loam, but 
limestone is even there mixed with 
the granitic rock, and is found in the 
valley on the S. W. Flanders, Sucka- 
sunny, DrakestovVn, and Drakesville, 
are villages of the t-ship ; at the two 
first of which are post-offices. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 2262. In 1832 the 
t-ship contained 410 taxables, 92 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 in value; 44 single men, 
4 stores, 9 saw, 10 grist, and 2 full- 
ing mills, 16 tan vats, 8 distilleries, 
15 chairs and sulkies; and it paid 
state tax, $261 07 ; county tax, 
$584 51 ; poor tax, $300 ; and road 
tax, $800. 

Roxbury. (See Rocksbury.) 

Ryersons, a village at and near 
the junction of Ringwood and Pe- 
quannock rivers, in the S. E. angle 
of Pompton t-ship. There are here 



SAD 



229 



SAL 



■1 tavern, 3 grist mills, a carding ma- 
chine, a furnace, and store, a Dutch 
Reformed church, an academy, and 
from 15 to 20 dwellings; surrounded 
by a rich and productive country. The 
post-office is at Pompton, on the right 
side of the river, in Morris co. 

Roy''s Brook, a tributary of the 
Millstone river, rising at the S. E. 
foot of Nashanic mountain, and flow- 
ing by a devious, but generally, N. 
E. course of about 7 or 8 miles, to 
its recipient, below Rogers' mill. 

Saddle River, rises in the state of 
New York, 3 or 4 miles beyond the 
northern boundary of this state, and 
flows thence, southwardly, about 18 
miles, through Bergen co., forming 
the boundary between Franklin and 
Harrington t-ships. Saddle River, and 
New Barbadoes, and Lodi t-ships, to 
its recipient, the Passaic river, about 
a mile above Acquackanonck. It has 
a rapid course, and considerable vo- 
lume, and mills are strung thickly 
along its banks. The valley through 
which it flows is broad, and shows 
evidence in the gravel, and boulders, 
and water-worn hills, that at some 
day, a much larger volume of water 
ran through it. 

Saddle River t-ship. The t-ship 
and river both have their name from 
the shape of the former, which re- 
ceives from the Passaic river the 
shape of a saddle. It is bounded N. 
by Franklin t-ship; E. by Saddle 
river, separating it from Harrington, 
New Barbadoes, and Lodi t-ships ; 
S. by the Passaic river; and W. by 
Pompton river, which divides it from 
Morris co., and by Pompton t-ship. 
Centrally distant N. W. from Hack- 
ensacktown 8 miles : greatest length 
E. and W. 10 miles; breadth N. and 
S. 8 miles; area, 41,000 acres, of 
which, about 17,000 are improved: 
the surface is generally hilly, the 
First and Second mountains of Essex 
CO., crossing the Passaic and continu- 
ing through it. On the east, how- 
ever, between the Passaic and Saddle 
rivers, there is a neck of low and 
level land ; soil, red shale and loam ; 
the valleys fertile and well cultivated. 



and the hills well wooded. Through 
the valleys flow several small brooks, 
such as Singack, Preakncss, Kro- 
kaevall, Gotfle, and Ackerman's 
Brooks. Goffle, and New Manches- 
ter, a part of Paterson City, are the 
chief villages of the t-ship. Popula- 
tion in 1830, 3397. In 1832 there 
were 741 taxables, 496 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $B0 in 
value; 80 single men, 7 stores, 8 
grist mills, 1 cotton manufactory, 1 
furnace, 10 saw mills, 13 tan vats, 2 
distilleries, 1 wool factory, 506 horses 
and mules, and 1324 neat cattle over 
3 years of age ; and it paid state tax, 
$364 10 ; and county tax, $690 26. 
Salem County has its name from 
its chief town and seat of justice, Sa- 
lem, founded by John Fenwicke, in 
the year 1675. By the act for ascer- 
taining the bounds of all the counties 
in the province, passed 21st January, 
1710, the following were the bounda- 
ries given to it: "Beginning at the 
mouth of a creek on the west side of 
Stipson's island, called Jecak's creek, 
now West creek ; thence by said 
creek as high as the tide floweth ; 
thence by a direct line to the mouth 
of a small creek at Tuckahoe, where 
it comes into the southernmost main 
branch of the fork of the Great Egg 
Harbour river; thence up the said 
branch to the head thereof; thence 
along the bounds of Gloucester coun- 
ty to the river Delaware, and thence 
by the river and bay to the place of 
beginning ; and thus it included the 
whole of Cumberland county. The 
latter county was taken from it by 
the act of 19th Jan. 1748; and the 
boundaries then established, confirm- 
ed by the act of 7th Dec. 1763, by 
which the southern boundary of Sa- 
lem county was then fixed as follows : 
Commencing at the middle of the 
mouth of Stow creek ; thence by the 
same, opposite to the mills formerly 
of John Brick ; thence up the middle 
of Stow creek branch opposite the 
house of Hugh Dunn ; thence by a 
direct line to said house, leaving it in 
Cumberland county; and thence by a 
straight line N. 51° 15' E. 94 chains. 



SAL 



230 



SAL 



to the house of Aziel Pierson, leav- 
ing that also in Cumberland county ; 
thence N. E. by a line intersecting 
the line of Pilesgrove t-ship, 305 
chains ; thence by Pilesgrove line S. 
47° E. to the middle of Maurice river, 
below the mouth of Muddy run ; thence 
up the middle of said river to the foot 
of Scotland branch ; thence up the 
middle of said branch to Gloucester 
line." The county is, therefore, now 
bounded by the Delaware bay and 
river on the S. W., W., and N. W. ; 
by Gloucester co. on the N. E ; and 
Cumberland co, on the S. E. Great- 
est length N. and S. about 30 miles ; 
breadth E. and W. 26 miles ; area, 
320 square miles, or 204,936 acres ; 
central lat. 39° 33'; long, from W. 
C. 1° 50' E. 

The surface of the county is gene- 
rally flat. Its soil, in the northern 
and western parts, clay and loam, 
mixed more or less with sand, and 
generally productive, in wheat, grass, 
oats, &c. In the south-eastern parts, 
the soil is sandy and gravelly, and 
less fertile, but yielding much tim- 
ber and cord wood of oak and pine, 
which succeed alternately when a 
clearing is made. This is particu- 
larly the case with a strip of about 
20 miles long, extending across Lower 
and Upper AUoways Creek and Pitts- 
grove t-ships, denominated the Bar- 
rens. The county is well watered, 
having Oldman's creek on its north- 
ern boundary, Salem and Alloways 
creeks running through it centrally, 
and Stow creek on the southern li- 
mits. 

The county consists of alluvial and 
diluvial formation, the washings of 
the ocean and the primitive strata, 
being very irregularly mingled, and 
beds of stiff clay, loam, and gravel, 
are interspersed with white sea sand. 
From two to twenty feet below the 
surface, in several places, there is 
found a species of greenish blue marl, 
as at Pedricktown and Woodstown, 
which is used as manure. In it there 
are shells, as the ammonite, belem- 
nite, ovulite, ostrea, terebratula, &c. 
similar to those found in the limestone 



and grauwacke of the transition ; and 
in the horizontal limestone and sand- 
stone. We have not heard of any 
bog iron ore in the county, though it 
probably exists; but sandstone and 
puddingstone, cemented with iron ore, 
are not uncommon. 

Salem, Woodstown, Sharptown, 
Sculltown, Pedricktown, Daretown, 
Pittstown, Allowaystown, Friesburg, 
Canton, Hancock's Bridge, and Quin- 
ton's Bridge, are villages of the co. 

The county was originally settled 
by Dutch and Swedes; and subse- 
quently by the English, companions 
of John Fenwicke, who landed here 
in 1675; and it derived its principal 
inhabitants from the same source. 
Some Dutch fixed themselves at, 
and gave name to, Friesbui-g, in Up- 
per Alloways Creek t-ship. The 
population by the census of 1830, 
amounted to 14,155, of whom, 6443 
were white males; 6300 white fe- 
males ; 1 slave ; 673 free coloured 
males, and 638 free coloured females. 
There were also in the county, 6 
whites, deaf and dumb; 7 blind, and 
27 aliens; and in 1832, taxables, 
3092 ; 1103 householders, whose ra- 
tables did not exceed $30 ; 47 store- 
keepers, 6 fisheries, 13 grist mills, 19 
saw mills, 2 carding machines with 
spinning machines for wool, 6 fulling 
mills, 7 tanneries, 15 distilleries, 19 
stud horses, 3103 horses and mules, 
7300 neat cattle, over 3 years of age ; 
and the county paid for t-ship pur- 
poses, $5076; for county purposes, 
$7000; and state tax, $2156 60. 

There were in the county 7 Fi'iends' 
meeting houses, 6 Methodist, 5 Bap- 
tist, 1 Seven-day Baptist, 2 Episco- 
palian, 2 Presbyterian, and 2 Afri- 
can Methodist churches ; 1 academy 
at Salemtown, and sufficient other 
schools there, and in every t-ship, to 
teach the rudiments of an English 
education. 

The other public buildings of the 
county consist of a large court-house, 
with fire proof offices detached, of 
brick ; a stone prison, a large poor- 
house, with a farm annexed, and two 
buildings erected for masonic halls. 



SAL 



231 



SAL 



The trade of the county consists 
of wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats, and 
garden vegetables for market, lumber, 
and cord wood. Considerable quan- 
tities of grain are annually exported 
from Salem to the Eastern states. 

The courts of common pleas and 
general quarter sessions of the peace, 
for the county, are annually holden 



at Salem, on the first Tuesdays of 
March and December, the second 
Tuesday of June, and the third Tues- 
day of September; and the circuit 
court, on the second Tuesday of June 
and the first Tuesday of September. 
The county, by virtue of the constitu- 
tion, elects one member of council, 
and three members of the Assembly. 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF SALEM COUNTY. 





. 


^ 






Population. 


Townships. 


bt) 




Area. 


Surface. 








a 


01 


1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


Upper Allovvays Creek, 


10=1 


9 


34,000 


p't level, rolling. 


1921 


2194 


2136 


Lower Allovvays Creek, 


12 


9 


30,000 


level. 


1182 


1217 


1222 


Elsinborough, 


6 


4 


8000 


do. 


517 


505 


503 


Mannington, 


9 


8 


20,000 


do. 


1664 


1732 


1726 


Upper Perm's Neck, 


9 


7^ 


21,053 


do. 


1638 


1861 


1638 


Lower Perm's Neck, 


9 


6 


12,645 


do. 


1163 


1158 


994 


Pilesgrove, 


9 


6^. 


24,000 


do. 


1756 


2012 


2150 


Pittsgrove, 


15 


7 


44,000 


p't level, p't roll. 


1991 


2040 


2216 


Salem, 


2 


2 


1238 
204,936 


level. 


929 


1303 


1570 




12,761 


14,022 


14,155 



Salem t-ship and post-town, and 
seat of justice of Salem county, situ- 
ate 171 miles N. E. of W. C, 65 S. 
of Trenton, and 34 S. E. from Phi- 
ladelphia; lat. 39° 32'; long, from 
W. C. 1° 35'. The t-ship is of cir- 
cular form, and is nearly surrounded 
by water, having on the N. W. the 
Salem creek, on the N. E. and E. 
Fenwicke's creek, a tributary of that 
stream, and on the W. another small 
tributary of the same stream. The 
town is distant from the Delaware, 
•by the creek, 3^ miles. The t-ship 
is about 2 miles in diameter, and con- 
tains 1238 acres of well improved 
land, of a rich sandy loam, divided 
into town lots and 12 farms. The 
town contains about 250 dwellings; 
a fine court-house, about 60 by 40 
feet, of brick, with brick fire proof 
offices adjacent; 1 Episcopalian, 1 
Methodist, I Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, 
1 African Methodist, and 2 Quaker 
(one being orthodox and the other 
Hicksite) churches; 1 building of 
brick, of gothic architecture, designed 
for a masonic hall, but which is now 



appropriated to other purposes, the 
lodge being extinct ; a bank with ca- 
pital paid in of $75,000 ; a stone jail 
with yard, surrounded by a high 
stone wall, both of small dimensions ; 
1 market house, 2 fire engines, 2 
public libraries, 1 academy, and 5 
daily schools for teaching the rudi- 
ments of an English education ; 5 
Sunday schools, 2 printing offices, at 
each of which is printed a weekly 
newspaper, called, respectively, " The 
Salem Messenger" and '■'■The Ame- 
rican Statesman;^'' 21 stores, 2 ho- 
tels, 7 physicians, 5 lawyers, 3 lum- 
ber yards, 1 steam mill which grinds 
much grain, 1 horse mill, 5 apotheca- 
ries' stores, 1 livery stable. A steam- 
boat leaves the town daily, for Dela- 
ware City and Newca.stle, to meet 
the morning steam-boat from Phila- 
delphia ; 1 four horse stage runs daily 
to Philadelphia, another to Penns- 
grove, on the Delaware, to meet the 
Wilmington steam-boat for Philadel- 
]jhia ; a two horse daily line to Bridge- 
town, and a two horse line to Center- 
ville, once a week. The creek at the 



k. 



SAL 



232 



SAN 



town, is 152 yards wide, over which 
is a wooden bridge, resting on wooden 
piers, with a draw for the passage of 
vessels. Over Fenwicke creek, a 
short distance above its junction with 
Salem creek, is another wooden 
bridge, a neat structure, roofed. Ves- 
sels of 50 tons may approach the 
town safely, but the bar at the mouth 
of the creek prevents the entry of 
vessels drawing more than eight feet 
water. Large quantities of wlieat, 
rye, oats, and corn, are exported from 
this place to the eastern states. The 
streets of the town are wide — foot- 
ways paved, and bordered with trees ; 
the houses of frame and brick, the 
former painted white, are surrounded 
with gardens and grass lots, and 
adorned with flowers, giving to the 
place, a cheerful and healthy appear- 
ance, surpassed by ihw villages in the 
United States. The t-ship contained 
in 1830, 1570 inhabitants: in 1832, 
267 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed 830 in value; and 397 
taxables, 2 tan yards, 1 distillery; 
and it paid taxes for t-ship purposes, 
8426 ; county use, $738 25 ; and state 
use, $233 35. 

The site of the town of Salem was 
the first spot visited, and we believe, 
the first settled, by the English emi- 
grants to West Jersey. Soon after 
the sale by Lord Berkeley of one 
moiety of the province, to Edward 
Byllinge, John Fenwicke, the agent 
of the latter set sail, (in 1675) to 
visit the new purchase in a ship from 
London, called the Griffith. After a 
short passage, he landed at this plea- 
sant spot, which, from its aspect of 
peace, he called Salem. He brought 
with him two daughters, and several 
servants, two of which, Samuel Hedge 
and John Adams, afterwards married 
his daughters. Other passengers 
were, Edward Champness, Edward 
and Samuel Wade, John Smith, Sa- 
muel Nichols, Richard Guy, Rich- 
ard Noble, Richard Hancock, John 
Pledger, Hy polite Lefever, and John 
Matlock, and others, who were mas- 
ters of families. 

Salem Creek, Salem co., rises in 



Pittsgrove t-ship, and flows N. W. 
through that and Pilesgrove t-ship, 
by Woodstown and Sharptown, about 
17 miles to the S. W. angle of Upper 
Penn's Neck t-ship; thence turning 
S. and S. W., it divides Mannington 
and Lower Penn's Neck t-ships, and 
passing by Salem, empties into the 
Delaware river, 3^ miles below that 
town. There is a bar at the mouth, 
on which at high tide there are eight 
feet water. Vessels of 50 tons ap- 
proach the town safely; but within 
the bar, there is water, it is said, for 
vessels of 300 tons burden. The 
whole length of the creek may be 
about 30 miles, and it is navigable 
for shallops nearly half that distance. 
A short canal of 3 or 4 miles, through 
Upper and Lower Penn's Neck 
t-ships, unites the creek with the De- 
laware, saving a distance to the craft 
which navigate the creek, of about 
20 miles. 

Samptown, Piscataway t-ship, Mid- 
dlesex CO., about 8 miles N. from 
New Brunswick, on the left bank of 
Cedar creek; contains a Baptist 
church, 10 or 12 houses, tavern and 
store, in a tolerably fertile country of 
red shale. 

Sand Hills, small hamlet of Not- 
tingham t-ship, Burlington co. There 
is a tavern, and 12 or 15 dwellings 
here; the turnpike road, and the 
Camden and Amboy rail-road, run 
near it. The carriages from and for 
Trenton meet the rail-road cars here. 
Distance from Trenton, about 5, and 
from Bordentown, 3 miles. 

Sand Hills, noted hills in the N. 
W. paVt of South Brunswick t-ship, 
Middlesex co., covering an area of 
about 4 miles by 2 ; about 7 miles 
W. from Brunswick. 

Sandy Hook, Sandy Hook bay: 
the first is a sandy beach, extending 
northward, from Old Shrewsbury in- 
let, and the S. point of the highlands 
of Nevisink, 6 miles, of an irregular 
width, varying from half a mile to 
a mile, forming the eastern boundary 
of the bay. The bay sets in from 
the Raritan bay, southwards, and is 
about 7 miles wide, between Point 



SAN 



233 



SCH 



Comfort, the western cape, and the 
point of the Hook. Its depth to the 
S. point of the Nevisink hills, which 
form the coast for about 6 miles, is 
about 6 miles. The western shore 
encroaches, eastwardly, upon the 
water until it is narrowed to three- 
quarters of a mile. 

Sand Pond, a small sheet of water, 
in Wallkill mountains, Vernon t-ship, 
Sussex CO., which sends fortii a small 
tributary to the Wallkill river. 

Sand Pond., the source of Stout's 
brook, on the N. line of Hardwick 
t-ship. 

Sandtotvn, or Berlcclij, village of 
Greenwich t-ship, Gloucester co., on 
Mantua creek, 4 miles S. W. from 
Woodbury; contains a store, tavern, 
12 or 15 dwellings, and an Episcopal 
church. 

Sandtown, Nottingham t-ship, 
Burlington co., on the road from 
Trenton to Cranberry, about 5 miles 
E. of the former, on a sandy plain ; 
contains a tavern, smithery, and some 
half-dozen dwellings. 

Sandistone t-ship, Sussex co., 
bounded on the N. E. by Montague 
t-ship; S. E. by the Blue mountain, 
which divides it from Newton, Frank- 
ford, and Wantage t-ships; S. W. by 
Walpack t-ship ; and W. by the De- 
laware river; centrally distant, N. 
W. from Newton, 12 miles; greatest 
length, 8^, breadth, 7 miles; area, 
19,320 acres; surface on the E. 
mountainous, and on the W. river 
alluvion. Population in 1830, 1097. 
There were in the t-ship in 1832, 
65 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30 ; taxable inhabitants, 
240 ; 4 merchants or traders, 5 pair 
of stones for grinding grain, 1 card- 
ing machine, 4 saw mills, 204 horses 
and mules, and 841 neat cattle over 
3 years; 13 tan vats, 1 distillery. 
The t-ship paid state and county tax, 
$426 77; poor tax, $100; road tax, 
$500. It is watered by the Big and 
Little Flat Kill creeks, and their tri- 
butaries, and by the river Delaware. 
The Morristown and Milford turn- 
pike road crosses it north-westward- 
ly, on which lies the post-office, dis- 
2 G 



tant 241 miles from W. C, 83 from 
Trenton, and 13 from Newton. Be- 
tween the Blue mountain and the 
Delaware, there is a rich flat, increas- 
ing from two to six miles in width, 
through which runs a bed of transi- 
tion limestone, girded by an alluvial 
belt. This flat produces excellent 
crops of wheat. The t-ship was 
originally settled by Dutch, whilst 
that people held possession of New 
York. 

Sandy New, small hamlet of Mid- 
dletown t-ship, Monmouth co., 9 miles 
N. E. of Freehold ; contains a tavern, 
and some 3 or 4 dwellings, in a fine 
fertile country. 

Sargeantsville, p-t. of Amwell 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., 6 miles S. W. 
from Flemington, 23 N. from Tren- 
ton, and 177 N. E. from W. C. ; con- 
tains a tavern, store, and some 6 or 8 
dwellings. Surrounding country hilly 
and poor ; lands rated at $20 per 
acre. Near this village, on a farm 
of 150 acres, Mr. R. Rittcnhouse has 
established the Mantua Manual La- 
bour Institute, with accommodations 
for about 30 students, and the pur- 
pose to increase them as they may 
be required. At this institute are 
taught the Greek and Latin lan- 
guages, and all other branches of 
learning, taught at similar institu- 
tions. About three hours every day, 
Saturday and Sunday excepted, are 
employed in manual labour, by the 
students, for which they receive rea- 
sonable compensation. The charge 
for tuition, board, washing, lodging, 
candles, and fuel, is $25 per quarter. 

Saw Mill Creek, a marsh stream 
about 2 miles in length, in Lodi t-sp, 
Bergen co. 

Saxtonville, small hamlet of Am- 
well t-ship, Hunterdon co., on the 
river Delaware, 12 miles S. W. from 
Flemington; contains some 3 or 4 
dwellings; named from the proprie- 
tor. 

Schoolei/s Mountain, SclivgVs 
HUh, fiinn part of the central gra- 
nitic chain, which extends in a N. E. 
and S. W. direction, across the state 
of New Jersey, from the Delaware to 



SCH 



234 



SCH 



(f 



Ihe Hudson river. The name, Schoo- 
ley's Mountain, derived from a family 
formerl)^ owning a considerable por- 
tion of its soil, is applied chiefly, to 
that portion of the chain which crosses 
the N. W. part of Morris county. 
The height of the mountain above its 
base, has been determined by geo- 
metrical measurement, to be more 
than 600 feet,- and a calculation, 
made by approximation, on the falls 
of water, on the different mill dams 
along the rapid channel of the Mus- 
conetcong I'iver, to its junction with 
the Delaware, and on the descent, 
thence to Trenton, gives to that base 
an elevation of 500 feet above tide ; 
making the height of the mountain, 
above the level of the ocean, some- 
what more than 1100 feet. 

From the top of the mountain a 
turnpike road runs northward to 
Sussex, another westward to Easton, 
a third eastward to New York, and 
a fourth southward towards Tren- 
ton. The mineral spring near the 
top has given much celebrity to 
this region. It is said to have been 
known to the aborigines, and to have 
been employed by them as a re- 
medy, which, with characteristic sel- 
fishness, they would have concealed 
from the whites. The latter, however, 
have resorted to it, since the settlement 
of the country. Remarkable cures 
have been ascribed to it, and some per- 
sons have habitually frequented it, sea- 
son after season, on account of the be- 
nefit they have derived from the use of 
its waters. It is situated in Washington 
t-ship, Morris co., 19 miles N. W. of 
Morristown, 50 from New York, 70 
N. E. from Philadelphia, 56 from 
Trenton, and 213 from W. C. 

The spring is, in strictness, a rill 
which issues from a perpendicular 
rock, having an eastern exposure, 
between 40 and 50 feet above the 
level of a brook, which gurgles over 
the stones, and foams down the rocks 
in the channels beneath. A small 
wooden trough is adapted to the fis- 
sure, so as to convey the water to a 
platform where the visiters assemble, 
and to the structure containing the 



baths. The temperature of the water 
is 56° F. being 6° warmer than the 
spring water nearer the summit. The 
fountain emits about 30 gallons per 
hour; which quantity does not vary 
with any change of season or wea- 
ther. The water, like other chaly- 
beates, leaves a deposit of oxidized 
iron, as it flows, which discolours the 
troughs, baths, and even the drinking 
vessels. The bare taste and appear- 
ance shows that it is a chalylaeate ; 
and it is strongly characterized by the 
peculiar astringency and savour of 
ferruginous impregnations. Though 
remarkably clear when first taken, 
the water becomes turbid upon stand- 
ing for some time in the open air, and 
after a long interval, an irridescent 
pellicle forms on its surface. Ochre 
and other indications of iron are dis- 
persed extensively through the sur- 
rounding rocks and soil. Iron ore is 
so plentiful in the vicinity that fur- 
naces are worked, both in the eastern 
and western district of the chain, and 
much of the ore is magnetic. Grey 
limestone is found at the base of the 
hills and along the valleys. The ana- 
lysis of the water, by Dr. M'Nevin 
of New York, has given the follow- 
ing result : 

Vegetable extract 92, muriate of 
soda 43, muriate of lime 2.40, muri- 
ate of magnesia 50, carbonate of lime 
7.99, sulphate of lime 65, carbonate 
of magnesia 40, silex 80, carbonated 
oxide of iron 2, loss 41 — total 16.50. 

The iron from the mineral water 
is very easily separated. Exposure 
to the atmosphere induces metallic 
precipitation ; and transportation to a 
distance, even in corked bottles, pro- 
duces a like effect; and when thus 
freed from its iron, the water may be 
used in making tea. The heat of ebul- 
lition, also, seems to separate the fer- 
ruginous ingredient, and to prevent 
any dusky or black tint ; for if an in- 
fusion of green tea be mixed with wa- 
ter fresh from the spring, a dark and 
disagreeable hue is instantly produced. 
The carbonic acid which this water 
contains, is altogether in a state of 
combination, and hence it never oc- 



SCH 



235 



SCO 



casions flatulence or spasm in the 
weakest stomach, whilst it gradually 
strengthens the digestive powers. — 
This chalybeate is considered by me- 
dical men, as one of the purest of this, 
or any other country, and as benefi- 
cial, in most cases of chronic disease, 
and general debility, and especially 
in cases of calculus in the bladder or 
kidneys. 

To those in pursuit of health or 
pleasure, this region presents equal 
attraction. A short journey brings 
the patient from the level of tide 
water to a very desirable elevation, 
which tempers the summer's heat, and 
braces the relaxed frame. The plain 
on the top of the mountain, affords 
very pleasant rides amid ever chang- 
ing and delightful scenery, in which 
cheering views of improved and pro- 
fitable agriculture are blended with 
the velvet plain, the craggy hill, and 
shadowy vale. Thus the invalid has 
every incentive to exercise, by the 
highest gratification from his exer- 
tions. To him who seeks relaxation 
from the cares of business, or to 
change sedentary occupation and 
feebleness for activity and vigour, 
the excellent society which assembles 
here during the summer months, the 
abundant sport in fowling and fish- 
ing, and the delightful scenery, hold 
forth strong inducements; to which, 
M^e would be unjust not to add the 
excellent fare, cheerful attention, and 
comfortable accommodation given to 
visiters at the three hotels, and seve- 
ral farm houses in the vicinity of the 
spring. Belmont Hall, kept by Mr. 
G. Bowne, situate on the highest 
part of the mountain, shadowed and 
embowered by various fruit, forest, 
and ornamental trees, is a fine build- 
ing, 50 feet square and three stories 
high, with very extensive wings ; and 
the Heath House of Mr. E. "Marsh, 
less showy, but not less commodious 
or pleasant, afford the visiter all the 
means of enjoyment usual at water- 
ing places ; whilst their distance from 
the fountain, (about 5 of a mile) by 
■ adding the benefits of exercise, does 
not diminish the salubrious effects of 



the water. There is, however, a-third 
house, immediately at the spring, 
where such visitei-s as desire to be 
near it, can be accommodated. The 
season commences here on the 1st of 
June, and continues during the hot 
weather. 

For the man of science, the mine- 
ral region, and geological formation 
of the country, possesses much inte- 
rest. It abounds with iron and other 
minerals. The first, in a mine open- 
ed within gim-shot of the Heath 
House, is highly magnetic ; so much 
so, indeed, as to render the use of 
iron tools about it very inconvenient. 
The following extraordinary circum- 
stances we give on the authority of 
Mr. Marsh. The tools, by continued 
use, become so strongly magnetized, 
that in boring the rock, the workman 
is unable, after striking the auger 
with his hammer, to separate them 
in the usual mode of wielding the 
hammer, and is compelled to resort 
to a lateral or rotatory motion for this 
purpose; and the crowbar has been 
known to sustain, in suspension, all 
the other tools of the mine, in weight 
equal to a hundred pounds. These 
facts are supported by the assurance 
of General Dickenson, that the mag- 
netic attraction of the tools, used in 
his mine, adds much to the fatigue 
of the workmen ; and that it is of or- 
dinary occurrence for the hammer 
to lift the auger from the hole durino; 
the process of boring. 

Besides the houses for public enter- 
tainment, at and near the springs, 
there are several others, which, with 
a church and school house built by Mr. 
Marsh, with the aid of the visiters, 
and a post-office, give the neighbour- 
hood a village-like appearance. And, 
among the attractions of the moun- 
tain, we must not forbear to mention 
the fishing and boating on Budd's 
Pond, a beautiful sheet of water, two 
miles in length by one in breadth, at 
seven miles distance from the spring. 
This little mountain lake of great 
depth and clear as crystal, abounds 
with perch, sun, pike, and other fish. 
, Scotch Plains, p-t. of Westfield 



SEC 



236 



SHI 



t-ship, Essex county, 14 miles Irom 
Newark, Somerville, New Bruns- 
wick, Morrislown, Elizabethtown 
Point, and Amboy ; 214 miles N. E. 
from W. C, and 48 from Trenton, 
on the road from Springlield to So- 
merville ; contains, within the diame- 
ter of a mile, 1 Baptist church, an 
academy, 1 tavern, 2 stores, 3 grist 
mills, 2 saw mills, 1 oil mill, 1 straw 
paper mill, and about 70 dwellings. 
The surface of the adjacent country 
is level, except on the W. and N. W. 
which is mountainous; soil, clay loam, 
well cultivated, and productive, and 
valued, in farms, at $40 the acre. 
Within 2 miles of the village, a bed 
of carbonate of lime has been lately 
discovered, in which are metallic ap- 
pearances supposed to be gold and 
silver, but which are, probably, only 
deceptive pyrites. 

Scoffs Mountain, ^ing in Green- 
wich, Oxford, and Mansfield t-ships, 
Warren co., forms part of the chain 
of the South mountain, of which this 
portion covers much of the area of 
the three t-ships above named. The 
height of the mountain here may be 
from 700 to 800 feet above tide, and 
it is composed of granitic rock, based 
on, or breaking through limestone. 
It abounds with iron of several varie- 
ties, which, for near a century, has 
been extensively worked, near Oxford 
furnace; where Messrs. Henry and 
Jordan are, now, extensively engaged 
in the iron manufacture. The moun- 
tain is generally well wooded, and 
the valleys fruitful. 

Scrahhletoum, hamlet of Hanover 
t-ship, Burlington co., 10 miles E. 
from Mount Holly, and 12 S. E. from 
Bordentown ; contains a tavern, and 
6 or 8 cottages, in a poor, sandy, pine 
country. 

Sculltown, a village of Upper 
Penn's Neck t-ship, Salem co., on 
Oldman's Creek, at the head of navi- 
gation; containing from 20 to 30 
dwellings, a tavern, and 2 or 3 stores. 
It is about 12 miles N. E. of Salem. 

Secavcas, island in the Cedar 
swamp, of the Hackensack river, in 
Bergen t-ship, Bergen co. It is near 



4 miles long by half a mile wide; 
terminating in a very distinguished 
elevation, called Snake-hill. The 
island is crossed by the turnpike and 
rail-road from Hoboken to Paterson. 

S'crepta, a post-office, Warren co. 

Seven Causeways, noted union of 
7 roads, near the junction of 4 mile 
branch, with Inskeep's branch of the 
Great Egg Harbour river, 25 miles 
S. E. from Camden, on the line of 
Deptford and Gloucester t-sps, Glou- 
cester CO. 

Shabacung Island, formed by the 
Delaware river, and part of the t-ship 
of Montague, Sussex co., near the 
remote N. end of the state. 

Shark River, mill stream, rises in 
Shrewsbury t-ship, Monmouth co., 
and flows along the boundary, be- 
tween that and Howell t-ship, about 
6 miles, into a broad estuary, and 
thence about 3 miles through Shark 
inlet, into the Atlantic ocean. 

Sha?'ptown, p-t. and village of 
Pilesgrove t-ship, Salem co., on Sa- 
lem creek, between 3 and 4 miles 
below Woodstown, and 8 or 9 miles 
N. E. from Salem, 162 from W. C, 
and 56 S. from Trenton; contains 
between 40 and 50 dwellings, 1 ta- 
vern, 2 stores, 1 gi'ist mill, and one 
school house, used occasionally as a 
church. The surroimding country is 
level and fertile. 

Shawpocussing Creek, small tri- 
butary of the Delaware river, which 
rises in Knowlton t-ship, Warren co., 
at the foot of the Blue mountain, and 
flows S. W. to its recipient, having a 
course of five miles. 

Shelltown, on the line between 
Hanover t-ship, Burlington co., and 
Upper Freehold t-ship, Monmouth 
CO., on a small branch of the Cross- 
wicks creek ; contains some half- 
dozen dwellings. There is a Friends' 
meeting house near it, in Monmouth 
county. 

ShiJoh, p-t. in the S. W. angle of 
Hardwick t-ship, Warren co., 12 
miles N. E. of Belvidere, and 60 miles 
from Trenton. 

Shiloh, hamlet of Cumberland co., 
on the line dividing Hopewell from 



SHR 



237 



SIX 



Stow Creek t-ship, about 5 miles N. 
W. of Bridgeton ; contains 8 or 10 
dwellings, and a Seventh-day Baptist 
church. The country around it is of 
light loam, but in an improving con- 
dition. 

Shipetaukin, small branch of the 
Assunpink creek, rising in Lawrence 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., and flowing S. 
by a course of 5 or 6 miles to its-re- 
cipient, through an extensive body of 
meadow land. 

Shoal Harbour Creek, small 
stream at the N. W. foot of the Ne- 
visink hills; runs about a mile and 
a half N. E. into Sandy Hook bay. 

Shrewsbury Inlet, Old, was open- 
ed in 1778, from the ocean into the 
estuary formed by the Nevisink and 
Shrewsbury rivers, Monmouth co.; 
was closed by the moving of the 
sands in 1810, but was reopened in 
1830. Vessels now pass through it. 

Shreiosbury River, so called, is a 
continuation of Sandy Hook bay, 
Shrewsbury t-ship, Monmouth co., 
which receives from the t-ship, 
Shrewsbury river proper, a small 
stream of 6 or 7 miles lono- Lons 
Branch, and several other tributaries. 
This arm of the bay, from the mouth 
of the Nevisink river, is about 5 miles 
long, with an average breadth of a 
mile and a half, and has a considera- 
ble quantity of salt marsh on its bor- 
ders. It is separated from the Nevi- 
sink by a high neck of land, 2 miles 
wide. 

Shrewsbury, p-t. of Shrewsbury 
t-sp., Monmouth co., between Shrews- 
bury and Nevisink rivers, 12 miles 
E. from Freehold, 50 S. E. from 
Trenton, and 215 N. E. from W. C; 
contains 12 or 15 dwellings, an Epis- 
copalian and Presbyterian church, 1 
tavern, and 2 stores. Soil, sandy 
and light. 

Shreujsbury t-ship, Monmouth co., 
bounded N. by Middletown t-ship; 
E. by the Atlantic ocean; S. by 
Howell t-ship, and W. by Freehold. 
Centrally distant 7 miles E. from 
Freehold; length N. and S. 13, 
breadth E. and W. 13 miles; area, 
64,000 acres; drained on the N. E. 



by the Nevisink and Shrewsbury 
rivers, and their tributaries; E. by 
White Pond, and Deal creeks, and 
S. E. by Shark river; surface level; 
soil, clay and sandy loam, on marl, 
of good quality on Swimming river, 
and its tributaries ; on the S. of these, 
sandy, poor, and covered with pine. 
On the E., along the shore near and 
below the Long Branch boarding- 
houses, is a very fertile black sand. 
The sea shore in this t-ship, is gene- 
rally high and bold, and without 
marsh. The celebrated Long Branch 
boarding houses, so named from their 
vicinity to a long branch of Shrews- 
bury river, are in this township. 
Population in 1830, 4700. In 1832 
the t-ship contained about 900 taxa- 
bles; 265 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30; and 150 
single men; 21 stores, 5 sawmills, 
12 run of stones, for grinding grain, 

1 carding machine, 60 tan vats, 730 
horses and mules, 1650 neat cattle, 
3 years old and upwards ; and paid 
state and county tax, $2144 69. 
Shrewsbury, Eatontown, Colts Neck, 
Long Branch, and Tinton's Falls, 
ai'e villages and post-towns of the 
t-ship. 

Several thousand acres in this 
t-ship were settled in 1682, and the 
inhabitants were then computed at 
400. Lewis Morris of Barbadoes, 
the brother of Richard Morris, the 
first settler at Morrisania, New York, 
and uncle of Lewis Morris, subse- 
quently governor of New Jersey, had 
iron works and other considerable 
improvements here. 

Singack, small tributary of Preak- 
ness brook. Saddle River t-ship, Ber- 
gen CO. 

Six Mile Run, village and stream. 
The first, a post-town on the Prince- 
ton and Brunswick turnpike, (and on 
the line between New Brunswick 
t-ship, Middlesex co., and Franklin 
t-ship, Somerset co.,) 12 miles from 
the one, and 4 from the other, 189 
from W. C, and 23 from Trenton; 
contains a Dutch Reformed church, 

2 taverns, 1 store, and from 10 to 12 
dwellings. Soil, red shale, level, and 



SNU 



238 



SOM 



well cultivated. — ^The stream flows 
from North Brunswick, through 
Franklin t-ship, by a W. course of 
about 6 miles, to the Raritan river. 

Slabtoicn, hamlet of Springfield 
t-ship, Burlington co., on the road 
from Mount Holly to Bordentown, 4 
miles N. of the former ; contains a 
Friends' meeting house, and 10 or 12 
dwellings, 1 store, and 2 taverns. 

Slab Cahin Branch, of the Ran- 
cocus creek, rises in Monmouth co., 
and flows a S. W. course of 10 miles, 
to its recipient, the North Branch of 
that creek, on the south boundary of 
Hanover t-ship, Burlington co. Ha- 
nover furnace lies upon it, and it turns 
several mills. 

Slab Cabin Brook, Dover t-ship, 
Monmouth co., a small stream about 
3 miles in length, which flows into 
the south side of Toms' Bay. 

Sleepy Creek, a tributary of Atsion 
river, rises in Hereford t-ship, and 
flows by a S. E. course of about 6 
miles, to its recipient, in Galloway 
t-ship, Gloucester co. 

Smith's Creek, a small mill stream, 
which rises near Herbertstown, in 
Hopewell t-ship, Hunterdon co., and 
flows S. W. by a course of 6 miles, 
to the river Delaware, at the foot of 
Belle Mount. 

Smithville, village of Galloway 
t-ship, Gloucester co., 42 miles S. E. 
of Woodbury, and 2 miles E. from 
Leed's Point ; contains a tavern, store, 
Methodist meeting house, and 10 or 
12 dwellings; surrounded by pines, 
and near the salt marsh. 

Snake Hill, a noted eminence of 
Secaucas Island, in the marsh on 
Hackensack river, and a very pro- 
minent object from the road, between 
Jersey City and Newark. Its for- 
mation is of trap rock, on sandstone 
base. 

Snover''s Brook, rises in Sucker 
Pond, Stillwater t-ship, Sussex co., 
and flows by a S. W. course of about 
8 or 9 miles through the north part 
of Hardwicke t-ship, into Paulinskill, 
on the northern part of Hamilton t-sp, 
Warren co. 

Snvffietownf a, small village of San- 



distone t-ship, Sussex co., at the east 
foot of the Wallkill mountain, and in 
the valley of the Pacake creek, on 
the Paterson and Hamburg turnpike 
road, about 15 miles N. E. of New- 
ton; contains a Methodist meeting 
house, a store, tavern, and tannery, 
and 6 or 8 dwellings. 

Sodom, p-t. of Knowlton t-ship, 
Warren co., on Paulinskill, 12 miles 
N. of Bclvidere, 4 E. from Columbia; 
contains a grist and saw mill, tavern, 
store, and some half-dozen dwellings. 
Some smelting works have lately 
been erected here, said to be for pre- 
cious metals, discovered in the Jenny 
Jump mountain. 

Sodom, Lebanon t-ship, Hunter- 
don CO. (See Clarke sville.) 

Somerset County, was taken from 
Middlesex, by an act of the proprie- 
taries in 1688. Its bounds were sub- 
sequently modified by the legislative 
acts of 1709, 1713, and 1741. It is 
now bounded on the N. and N. E. 
by Morris co. ; on the E. by Essex 
and Middlesex ; on the S. E. by Mid- 
dlesex ; and on the S. W. and N. W. 
by Hunterdon co. : greatest length 
N. and S. 28 miles ; breadth E. and 
W. 20 miles; area, 189,800 acres, or 
about 297 square miles : central lat. 
40° 34'; long. 2° 15' from W. C. 

The whole county lies within the 
transition formation, if the old red 
sandstone be included within it. Hills 
of trap rock, upon the sandstone base, 
are scattered over it, as at Rock Hill, 
near the southern boundary. Rocky, 
or Nashanic mountain on the S. W., 
and Stony Hill N. of Somerville. 
The ridges N. of the last, contain 
grauwacke, and the valleys transi- 
tion limestone, generally of a grey 
colour. The surface of the county 
is various: the N. W. section being 
mountainous ; the S. and S. W. hilly, 
whilst the centre and S. E., the val- 
ley of the Raritan, is either level, or 
gently undulating. The soil varies 
with the surface : that of the hills is 
generally of clay and stiffloam, whilst 
that of the plains is a sandy loam, 
formed of the red shale; and the 
mountain vales, as we have already 



SOM 



239 



SOM 



observed, are ol" limestone. All are, 
however, fertile under proper culture, 
and the county may vie with her 
neighbours of Hunterdon, Essex, and 
Middlesex, in the variety and quanti- 
ty of agricultural products. 

The county is well watered. It is 
cut into two, almost equal parts, by 
the main stem and south branch of 
the Raritan river, which receives the 
north branch, flowing southward and 
centrally through the northern sec- 
tion, and the Millstone river, flowing 
northward and centrally through the 
southern section; and it is thus by 
these three streams, divided into four 
parts, intersected by smaller brooks 
and creeks, in almost every direction. 
The Delaware and Raritan canal 
enters the county at Kingston, with 
the Millstone river, and follows that 
stream to its junction with the Rari- 
tan, 3 miles S. E. of Somerville, 
whence it pursues the valley of the 
last stream to Brunswick. 

Copper ore has been discovered in 
considerable veins in the first range 
of hills, N. E. from Somerville ; and 
mines have been opened in at least 
two places; the first within 2, and 
the second within 6 miles of the town. 
Attempts have been made to work 
both, but every effort has hitherto 
been unsuccessful : and yet the ore 
is said to contain not only a very va- 
luable proportion of copper, but to be 
worth working on account of the gold 
which it yields. Public opinion at- 
tributes these failui'es more to the 
want of adequate capital to sustain 
the expense of the first steps in min- 
ing, than to the want of skill, or po- 
verty of ore. It is said, also, that 
particles of gold and silver have been 
discovered in a gangue of carbonate 
of lime, on Green Brook, N. of the 
Scotch Plains. 

A turnpike road from Brunswick, 
enters the county by a bridge over 
Bound Brook, and passes through 
Somerville, to North Branch, and 



thence to Philipsburg, opposite to 
Easton. From North Branch a turn- 
pike road runs northward over Schoo- 
ley's mountain to Hacketstown, in 
Warren co. ; and a rail-road is in 
contemplation, through Somerville to 
Belvidere. 

The post-towns of the county are 
Baskingridge, Bound Brook, Flagg- 
town, Harlingen, Kline's Mills, Les- 
ser Cross-Roads, Liberty Corner, 
Martinsville, Millington, Millstone, 
North Branch, Peapack, Pluckemin, 
Princeton, Rocky Hill, Somerville, 
the county town, and Warren. 

The county was early settled by 
the Dutch, whose industrious habits 
soon rendered it remarkable for its 
fruitfulness, and it became soon one 
of the most thickly settled of the pro- 
vince. By the census of 1830, the 
population amounted to 17,689 souls, 
of whom 7665 were white males, 
7717 white females; 945 free colour- 
ed males, 914 free coloured females; 
214 male slaves, 234 female slaves. 
Among these there were 118 aliens; 
deaf and dumb, 14 whites — blind, 
whites, 17, coloured, 3. 

In 1832, there were in the co., 
3500 taxables; 668 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed 830; 
391 single men, 68 merchants ; 44 
saw mills, 64 grist mills, or run of 
stones for grinding grain, 8 fulling 
mills, 211 tan vats, 28 distilleries, 11 
carding machines, 4621 horses and 
mules, and 8634 neat cattle, above 
the age of 3 years ; and it paid in 
state tax, $2642 86, and in county 
tax, $6000. 

The courts for the county are 
holden at Somerville; the common 
pleas, orphan's court, and general 
quarter sessions, on the following 
Tuesdays: viz. last in January, 3d 
in April, 3d in June, and 1st in Oc- 
tober; and the circuit courts on the 
3d Tuesday in April, and the 1st in 
October. 



r:^s 



SOM 



240 



SOU 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF SOMERSET COUNTY. 



Townships. 


5 

C 


a 
M 


Area. 


Surface. 


Population. 


1810 


1820 


1830 


Bedminster, 

Bernard, 

Bridgewater, 

Franklin, 

Hillsborough, 

Montgomery, 

Warren, 


8 

9 

13 

13 

10 

8 

8 


H 

7 
11 

8 
7 
8 
4 


19,300 
25,000 
35,000 
30,000 
36,000 
26,500 
18,000 

189,800 


hilly, 

mountainous, 

level, 

do. [level, 
part hilly, part 
hilly, 
mountainous, 


1312 

1879 
2906 
2539 
2456 
2282 
1354 


1393 
2063 
3147 
3071 

2885 
2495 
1452 


1453 
2062 
3549 
3352 
2878 
2834 
1561 




14,728 


16,506 


17,689 



Somers' Point, p-t. and port of 
entry for Great Egg Harbour dis- 
trict, upon the Great Egg Harbour 
bay, about 43 miles S. E. from Wood- 
bury, 88 from Ti-enton, and by post- 
route 196 from W. C. There is a 
tavern and boarding house here, and 
several farm houses. It is much re- 
sorted to for sea bathing in summer, 
and gunning in the fall season. 

Somerville, p-t. and seat of justice, 
of Somerset co., situate about a mile 
N. of the Raritan river, on the turn- 
pike road from New Brunswick to 
Philipsburg, 11 miles N. W. from 
the former, 33 S. E. from the latter, 
or from Easton, 28 N. E. from Tren- 
ton, and 199 from W. C. It lies upon 
a high well cultivated plain of red 
shale, about 2 miles south of a ridge 
of the South mountains ; in which are 
some noted copper mines. It contains 
a Dutch Reformed church, a Methodist 
meeting, an academy where the clas- 
sics and mathematics are taught, a 
boarding school for young ladies, 3 
taverns well kept, and 7 stores, 1 large 
grist mill, 5 practising attorneys, 4 
physicians, and 1 resident clergy- 
man, 600 inhabitants, and about 100 
dwellings. The court-house and other 
public buildings, are large and com- 
modious, and many of the private 
dwellings are very neat; and the 
town is a healthy, pleasant, and de- 
sirable place of residence. The pro- 
posed rail road from Elizabethtown 
to the Delaware, at Belvidere, is de- 
signed to pass through it. 



South Amhoy, p-t. of South Amboy 
t-ship, Middlesex co., at the head of 
the Raritan bay and . mouth of the 
Raritan river, 15 miles below New 
Brunswick, and 35 N. E. from Tren- 
ton; contains a hotel and some 15 or 
20 dwellings, and an extensive ma- 
nufactory of stone ware, made from 
clay obtained in the vicinity. This 
clay is of excellent quality, and much 
of it is exported to various parts of 
the country. It is used in the manu- 
facture of delf ware at Jersey City, 
and in the fabrication of china at Phi- 
ladelphia. The beds extend in the 
hills for several miles around the 
point. The turnpike road from Bor- 
dentown, and the Camden and Am- 
boy rail road terminate here. There 
is a safe harbour here for vessels, 
and deep water at the landing. 

South Amhoy t-ship, Middlesex 
CO., bounded N. by the Raritan river; 
N. E. by the Raritan bay; S. E. by 
Middletown and Upper Freehold 
t-ships, of Monmouth co.; S. VV. by 
Millstone river; and N. W. by North 
Brunswick and South Brunswick 
t-ships. Centrally distant S. E. from 
New Brunswick 9 miles : greatest 
length N. E. and S. W. 18, and 
breadth 6 miles ; area, 64,000 acres ; 
surface, flat ; soil, sandy ; drained 
on the S. W. by the Millstone, and 
on the N. E. by South river and its 
tributaries. Tenant's run. Deep run, 
Matchaponix 'brook, and Manala- 
pan creek. The turnpike and rail 
road from Bordentownto Amboy run 



SPR 



241 



SPR 



through tlie t-ship. Upon the former 
lie the post-towns of Cranberry and 
Spotswood, and South Amboy. Po- 
pulation in 1830, 3782. 

South River. (See Manalapan 
Brook.) 

South Brunswick. (See Bruns- 
wick, South.) 

Sparta, p-t. of Hardistone t-ship, 
Sussex CO., at the west loot of the 
Wallkill mountain, 236 miles N. E. 
of W. C, 78 from Trenton, and 8 
from Newton, on the Union turn- 
pike road, in the valley, and near 
the source of the Wallkill river. 
This is a pleasant village, having 
some very good houses, a neat Pres- 
byterian church with cupola, a school 
house, 2 grist mills, 2 saw mills, 4 
forges for making iron, in which 
there are, together, 6 fires; 1 tavern, 
3 stores, and from 35 to 40 dwell- 
ings. Iron and zinc ores are abun- 
dant in the neighboui-hood ; but only 
a small portion of the first is used in 
making iron here ; the chief part being 
carted from the mines in Morris co., 
at the cost of $2 50 the ton. The 
zinc ore is not worked. The soil in 
the valley is limestone, and tolera- 
bly w-cU cultivated. 

Speertown, agricultural village of 
Bloomfield t-ship, Sussex co., 7 miles 
N. of Newark, near the foot of the 
First mountain ; contains from 20 to 
30 dwellings, 1 tavern, 1 store, a 
Dutch Reformed church, and school; 
surrounded by a country of red shale, 
carefully cultivated. 

Spottsioood, thriving p-t. of South 
Amboy t-ship, Middlesex co., on the 
turnpike road and rail road from Bor- 
dentown to South Amboy, about 25 
miles from the former, 202 from W. 
C, and 26 from Trenton, and on the 
South river ; contains a large grist- 
mill, a fine Presbyterian church of 
wood, a Dutch Reformed church, 1 
tavern, 2 stores, 2 tobacco manufac- 
tories, and about 30 dwellings. 

Spruce Run, Lebanon t-ship, Hun- 
terdon CO., flows S. W. through the 
north part of the t-ship, and along 
the west boundary, and is a branch 
of the Raritan river. 
2 H 



Springjield t-ship, Essex county, 
bounded N. by Livingston t-ship; 
E. by Orange and Union t-ships ; S. 
by Westfield and New Providence 
t-ships ; and W. by the Passaic river, 
which divides it from Chatham t-ship, 
Morris co. Centrally distant W. from 
Newark 8 miles : greatest length N. 
and S. 6, breadth E. and W. 5 miles ; 
area, 13,500 acres; surface, gene- 
rally hilly ; soil, clay loam and red 
shale. It is washed on the eastern 
boundary by the Rahway river, 
which receives several tributaries 
from the t-ship. Springfield the post- 
town ; Vauxhall and part of Chat- 
ham are villages of the t-ship. The 
pretensions of Springfield, as an agri- 
cultural t-ship, are not high, but it 
claims consideration for its paper ma- 
nufactories. Population in 1830, 
1653. In 1832 there were 365 tax- 
ables, 97 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30 ; 93 single 
men, 7 merchants, 1 grist mill^ 3 
carding machines, 12 paper mills, 6 
tan vats, 1 woollen manufactory, 1 
distillery, 220 horses and mules, and 
818 neat cattle, above the age of 3 
years. It paid state tax, 198 96; 
county, $520 56 ; poor, $500 ; road, 
$8. ■'_ 

Springjield p-t. of the preceding 
t-ship, on the turnpike road from Eli- 
zabethtown to Morristown, 7 miles 
W. from the one, and 10 E. from the 
other, 216 N. E. from W. C, and 
50 from Trenton, and upon the Rah- 
way river, at the foot of the First 
mountain ; contains about 200 dwelL 
ings, some of which are neat struc- 
tures; 1 Presbyterian church, with 
cupola and bell ; 1 Metbjodist church, 
3 taverns., 5 stores, 2 grist mills, 1 
saw mill, and 10 paper mills. The 
surface of the country around it, is 
rugged, and the soil, a stiff" cold clay, 
unproductive ; and farms are not 
averaged at more than 20 dollars the 
acre. 

Sprinojiehl, t-sh\\), Burlington co., 
bounded N. by Chesterfield, and 
Mansfield t-ships ; S. E. by Hanover 
t-ship ; S. W. by Northampton t-ship, 
and W. and N. W. by Burlington 



SQU 



242 



STA 



t-sJiip; centrally distant N. E. from 
Mount Holly, 5 miles ; greatest length, 
E. and W. 10 miles; breadth, N. and 
S. 6 miles; area, 18,000 acres; sur- 
face level; soil, sand and sandy 
loam, well cultivated, and productive; 
drained, N. by the Assiscunk creek, 
which forms the northern boundary, 
and its branches, and S. by the tribu- 
taries of the north branch of the Ran- 
cocus creek. Slabtown, Jobstown, 
and Juliustown, are villages of the 
t-ship, at the two last of which, are 
post-offices. The population, a great 
portion of which are Friends, was, 
in 1830, 1531. In 1832, the t-ship 
contained, 3 Friends' meeting houses, 
147 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30, in value; 61 single 
men, 330 taxables; 3 stores, 14 tan 
vats, 1 distillery for cider, 31 dear- 
borns, 100 covered wagons, 17 chairs, 
11 gigs and curricles, 1975 neat cat- 
tle, and 507 horses and mules, over 
3 3^ears of age ; and paid state tax, 
$388 85 ; county tax, $1358 29 ; and 
township tax, $500. 

Spring Garden, or North Belle- 
ville, Bloomheld t-ship, Essex co., 
upon the Third river, and about a 
mile W. of the Passaic river ; con- 
tains from 50 to 70 dwellings, a cot- 
ton manufactory, a school, and a Me- 
thodist church. (See Belleville.) 

Spring Mills, village of Alexan- 
dria t-ship, Hunterdon co., 13 miles 
N. W. from Flemington, on a small 
stream, which empties into the Dela- 
ware; contains a grist mill, and seve- 
ral dwellings. 

Springtown, small village of Schoo- 
ley's mountain, on the Somerville 
and Easton turnpike road, 18 miles 
W. of Morristown, and 3 niiles E. of 
the mineral spring; contains some 6 
or 8 dwellings. 

Spring Valley, hamlet of Morris 
t-shij), Morris co., 4 miles S. E. of 
Morristown; contains a tavern, and 
some half-dozen dwellings. 

Squan Beach, extends from Old 
Cranberry inlet, N. 10 miles to Ma- 
nasquan inlet, dividing for part of that 
distance, Barnegat bay, from the At- 



lantic ocean. It no where exceeds 
half a mile in width. 

Squan, a vicinage in the S. E. part 
of Howell t-ship, Monmouth co., be- 
tween Manasquan and Metetecunk 
rivers. It is much frequented for 
sea-bathing; and comfortable accom- 
modations are found at the farm- 
houses, of which there are several 
where boarders are received. 

Sqiiankum, p-t. of Howell t-ship, 
Monmouth co., 10 miles S. E. from 
Freehold, 44 from Trenton, and 209 
N. E. from W. C. ; contains a 
Friends' meeting house, a grist mill, 
and fulling mill, 2 taverns, 1 store, 
and 12 or 15 dwellings, surrounded 
by pine forest, and sandy soil. 

Squankum, tavern, and creek ; the 
creek is a tributary of Inskeep's 
branch of the Great Egg Harbour 
river, Deptford t-ship, Gloucester 
county. 

Stafford t-ship, Monmouth co., 
bounded on the N. by Dover t-ship; 
E. and S. E. by the Atlantic ocean; 
S. W. by Little Egg Harbour t-ship ; 
and W. by Northampton t-ship, Bur- 
lington CO. Centrally distant S. from 
Freehold, 38 miles ; greatest length, 
N. and S. 18 miles, breadth 12 miles; 
area, 87,000 acres; surface level; 
soil, sand, gravel, and marsh. On 
the E. front of the t-ship. Long 
Beach extends upon the ocean, about 
11 miles, with an average breadth of 
about 1 mile, separating Little Egg 
Harbour bay from the sea. The bay 
varies from 2 to 3 miles in width, 
and between it and the fast land, there 
is a body of salt marsh of like width, 
through which flow several creeks ; 
the principal are Manahocking, Gun- 
ning, Cedar, and Westecunk. Bar- 
negat, Manahocking, Cedar Bridge, 
and Westecunk, are villages; the 
two first post-towns of the t-ship. 
Population in 1830, 2059. In 1832 
the county contained about 400 tax- 
ables; 64 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30; 30 single 
men ; 4 stores, 2 saw mills, 1 grist 
mill, 1 furnace, 210 horses and mules, 
and 802 neat cattle, above 3 yAars 
of age. 



STE 



243 



STI 



Stanhope, forge, and post-town, on 
the Musconetcong river, and on the 
Morris canal, on the S. boundary of 
Byram t-ship, Sussex co., by the post 
route, 222 miles from W. C, 59 from 
Trenton, 11 S. of Newton, and 16 
N. W. of Morristown ; contains a 
grist mill, 3 forges, 2 taverns, 2 stores, 
and from 20 to 30 dwellings, and one 
large school house. The creek has 
here been led from its bed, by which 
means a fine waterfall of 30 feet, avail- 
able for mill purposes, has been ob- 
tained ; an inclined plane of the canal 
at this place, surmounts an elevation 
of 76 feet. This thriving little town 
was founded by Mr. Silas Dickenson; 
and is surrounded by an excellent soil 
of limestone. 

Staten Island Sound, or Arthur- 
Kill, the sti-ait which divides Sta- 
ten Island from New Jersey. It has 
a devious, but general N. E. course, 
from the head of Raritan bay, and 
including the Kill-van- Kuhl , extends 
to New York bay, a distance of about 
18 miles, having a breadth, common- 
ly much under, and no where ex- 
ceeding half a mile. It is the or- 
dinary passage of the steamboats 
which ply between Brunswick, Am- 
boy, and New York. As the tide 
flows from, and into both bays, from 
and into this strait, the navigator 
never has a current with him through 
its whole length. The channel is 
skirted on both sides by an agreeable 
country. That of New Jersey is the 
more level, and that of Staten Island 
' the more variegated and picturesque. 
For several miles from New York 
bay, the shore of the island is so 
closely covered with houses, as to 
have the appearance of a continued 
street. 

SteddanCs Neck, a strip of land 
lying in the N. W. angle of Green- 
wich t-ship, formed by the junction 
of Newport and Stow creeks. 

Steelman's Creek, small tributary, 
' flowing eastwardly into the Great 
Egg Harbour river, Weymouth t-ship, 
Gloucester co. 

Stephen's Creek, Weymouth t-ship, 
Gloucester co., tributary of Great 



Egg Harbour river, having an eas- 
terly course of 8 or 9 miles. Two 
miles from its mouth, is a village and 
post-town which bears its name; 39 
miles S. E. from Woodbury, 78 from 
Trenton, and 106 N. E. from W. C. 
It contains a grist and saw mill, ta- 
vern, store, and 6 or 8 dwellings. 

Stewartsville, p-t. of Greenwich 
t-ship, Warren co., centrally situate 
in the t-ship, on Merritt's branch of 
Pohatcong creek, 10 miles S. E. of 
Belvidere; contains a tavern, a store, 
and 10 or 12 dweUings ; surrounded 
by a fertile limestone country, and 
lying about a mile south of the Mor- 
ris canal, and about 5 miles east from 
Easton, Pennsylvania. 

Still Valley, of Greenwich t-ship, 
Warren co., lying between Lopat- 
cong and Pohatcong creeks, and ex- 
tending N. E. from the river Dela- 
ware. This is a rich valley of lime- 
stone land, thickly settled, and highly 
productive in wheat. There is a 
post-office here named after the val- 
ley, on the turnpike road, between 4 
and 5 miles from Easton, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Stilhcater t-ship, Sussex co., 
bounded N. E. by Newton t-ship ; 
S. E. by Greene t-ship ; S. W. by 
Ilardwick t-ship, Warren co.; and 
N. W. by Walpack t-ship. Cen- 
trally distant from Newton, E. 7 
miles ; greatest length N. and S. 10 
miles; breadth E. and W. 7 miles; 
area, 28,160 aci-es ; surface hilly, on 
the N. W. mountainous. It is drain- 
ed by Paulinskill, which crosses it 
centrally, and receives a tributary 
from Swartwout's pond in the t-ship. 
Population in 1830, 1381. Taxables 
in 1832, 230. Stillwater and Cour- 
senville are post-offices of the t-ship, 
which contained, in 1832, 40 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not ex- 
ceed $30, 4 run of stones for grind- 
ing grain, 4 stores, 6 saw mills, 277 
horses and mules, and 692 neat cat- 
tle above three years of age, 1 distil- 
lery, 64 tan vats. It paid state and 
county tax, $378 85; poor tax, 
$200; road tax, $600. S. E. of the 
Paulinskill, the soil is slnte; N. W. 



STO 



244 



STR 



of the creek, lime, slate, and grey 
rock, and is generally fertile. 

Stillwater, p-t. of the above t-ship, 
by the post-route, 236 miles from W. 
C, 78 from Trenton, and 7 S. W. 
from Newton; contains a tavern, 
store, a grist and oil mill, a Presby- 
terian church, formerly Dutch Re- 
formed, and 8 or 10 dwellings. The 
soil around it is limestone, well culti- 
vated. 

Stipson^s Island, a neck of fast 
land, near the west boundary of Den- 
nis t-ship. Cape May co., projecting 
into the marshes, having a length of 
about 3 miles. 

Stockholm, post-office and forge of 
Jefferson t-ship, Morris co., upon the 
Pequannock creek, at the N. E. end 
of the Greenpond mountain, 18 miles 
N. W. of Morristown, 249 N. E. 
from W. C, and 83 from Trenton. • 

Stockingtown, a small hamlet of 
6' or 8 dwellings, of Upper Alloways 
Creek t-ship, Salem co., about 9 miles 
E. of Salem t-ship, and 3 from Allo- 
waystown. 

Stone House Brook, branch of the 
Pompton river, rising in Pequannock 
t-ship, and flowing by a course of 6 
miles N. W. to its recipient, giving 
motion to some forges. 

Stony Brook, Pequannock t-ship, 
Morris co., small tributary of the 
Rockaway river, which flows by se- 
veral branches, in length from 4 to 5 
miles, through Rockaway valley. 

Stony Hill, extends from the north 
branch of the river Raritan, in Ber- 
nard and Bridgewater t-ships, through 
Warren t-ship, in Somerset co., into 
Essex CO., in the form of a crescent; 
formed of trap rock, on old red sand- 
stone base. Under this name the 
mountain, following its curve, is 
about 12 miles long. 

Stop-the-Jade Creek, tributary of 
the S. branch of the Rancocus creek, 
Nortlmmpton t-ship, Burlington co. ; 
unites with the latter at VincenttoAvn, 
after a westerly course of 9 miles. — 
A mill stream. 

Stoufs Branch, of Paulin's creek, 
rises in Sand Pond, Hardwick t-ship, 
Warren co., at the foot of the Blue 



mountain, and flows by a southerly 
course of 7 or 8 miles, to its reci- 
pient. 

Stoutsville, on the line dividing 
Montgomery t-ship, Somerset co., 
from Hopewell t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
and on the turnpike road from Bruns- 
wick to Lambertsville, 13 miles S. 
W. from Somerville; contains a ta- 
vern, and 6 or 8 dwellings, in a fertile, 
pleasant valley. 

S/ow Creek t-ship, Cumberland 
CO., bounded N. and W. by Stow 
creek, which divides it from Salem 
CO. ; E. by Hopewell t-ship, and S. 
by Greenwich t-ship. Centrally dis- 
tant, N. W. from Bridgeton, 7 miles; 
greatest length, E. and W. 7; breadth, 
N. and S. 6 miles; area, 10,240 
acres; surface, paiily level, partly 
rolling; soil, clay, loam, sand, and 
gravel. Population in 1830, 791. In 
1832, the t-ship contained 170 taxa- 
bles, 21 householders, whose ratables 
did not exceed $30 ; 4 grist mills, 1 
saw mill, 198 horses and 557 cattle, 
above the age of 3 years, 1 store ; 
and paid road tax, $200 ; state and 
county, $437 81. Newport creek 
forms the boundary between this and 
Greenwich t-ship. 

Stow Creek, rises on the confines 
of Salem and Cumberland cos., and 
Hopewell and Upper Alloways Creek 
t-ships, and by a S. W. and S. course, 
forms the line between these coun- 
ties, by the meanders of the creek; 
25 miles to the Delaware bay. It is 
navigable for sloops, about 18 miles, 
and has some good banked meadow 
on its borders, for the distance of 9 
miles, commencing 9 miles from its 
mouth. 

Strait), hamlet of Greenwich t-ship, 
Warren co., about 5 miles S. E. of 
Philipsburg, and 12 miles S. of Bel- 
videre; contains 3 or 4 dwellings only. 

Stralenherg, hamlet, Hackensack 
t-ship, Bergen co., about 5 miles N. 
E. of Flackensacktown ; contains 1 
Dutch Reformed, and 1 Seceder's 
church, some 8 or 10 dwellings, a 
store and tavern; surrounded by a 
pleasant, level country, of fertile 
loam, well cultivated. 



sus 



245 



SUS 



Stretch's Point, on Stow creek, 
Lower Alloways Creek t-ship, Salem 
CO., about 7 miles from the mouth of 
the ci-eek. 

Suckasunny, the name of a village 
and plain ; the latter extending in 
width from 2^ to 3 miles, and in 
length about 6 miles ; is sandy and 
not very fertile, and is drained by 
Black, or Lamington river. On the 
N. E. of this plain, terminates the 
^reat vein of iron which has conti- 
nued a S. W. course from the White 
Hills in New Hampshire. 

. The village and post-town is situ- 
ate on the Morristown and Easton 
turnpike road, 11 miles N. W. from 
the former, 63 N. E. from Trenton, 
and 226 from W. C. ; contains a 
Presbyterian church, a store and ta- 
vern, and some 12 or 15 dwell- 
ings. 

Sucker Pond, a small basin of wa- 
ter, at the east foot of the Blue moun- 
tain, in Stillwater t-ship, Sussex co. 

Sussex County, was taken from 
Morris, by act of Assembly, 8th June, 
1753, with bounds which included 
the present county of Warren. War- 
ren was erected by act of 20th Nov. 
1824; and Sussex is now bounded 
S. by the Musconetcong river and 
"Hopatcong pond; thence by a line 
running N. E. dividing it from Mor- 
ris and Bergen counties, to the line 
of the state of New York ; thence 
along that line N. W., to the Dela- 
ware river, at the mouth of the Nevi- 
sink, or Macacomac river ; thence by 
the river, to the mouth of the Flat- 
kill; and thence by a line S. E., se- 
parating it from Warren co., to the 
Musconetcong river, somewhat more 
than a mile below Andover furnace. 
Its form approaches an oblong, with 
a mean length of 26, and breadth of 
22 miles ; area, about 572 square 
miles, or 366,000 acres : central lat. 
41° 8' N.; long. 2° 15' from W. C. 

The county is divided geologically 
by the primitive and transition forma- 
tions. The former passing N. E. by 
Sparta, and including within its li- 
mits, the Hamburg or Wallkill, and 
the Wawavanda mountains. These 



L 



mountains abound with a variety of 
minerals, of which iron and zinc are 
the most considerable. The country 
between these hills and the Blue moun- 
tain is rolling; nay, hilly; in which, 
ridges of slate, alternate with valleys 
of Umestone; and is highly fertile, 
and every where well cultivated. 
The Blue, or Kittatinny mountain, is 
skirted on the east by grey rock, 
which bears great resemblance to 
the primitive, and certainly contains 
little evidence of recombination. The 
mountain itself appears to be com- 
posed partly of similar rock, of a 
bluish green and red sandstone, the 
colours of which are singularly and 
intimately blended. Upon the N. W. 
the mountain is bounded by a broad 
strip of grey limestone. 

A dividing ridge running from Blue 
mountain, in Frankford t-ship, north 
of Culver's Pond, through the S. E. 
angle of that t-ship, on towards Spar- 
ta, gives a determination to the wa- 
ters of the county, sending part N. 
E. towards the Hudson, and part to- 
wards the Delaware river. Thus all 
the waters of the eastern portion pour 
from the hills north and south, into 
the valley of the Wallkill, where the 
flatness of the surl'acc causes them to 
spread over a considerable space, 
and occasions an extensive marsh 
along the borders of that stream, 
greatly enlarged within the bounds 
of the state of New York. The west- 
ern portion of the county is drained 
chiefly by the Paulinskill, flowing by 
a deep and rapid course, through this 
and Warren county, to its recipient 
near Columbia. 

The face of the country is dotted 
with large ponds, or small lakes, some 
of which are on the highest hills. 
Swartwout's and Cidver's ponds are 
the largest — the first being 3 miles 
in length, by 1 in breadth, and the 
other 2 miles in length, by the same 
breadth. But the most remarkable 
are the White Ponds, which have 
been so' called, from the appearance 
of their shores and bottoms, covered 
with shells of the snail, in very ex- 
tensive masses. Two of these lie on 



sus 



246 



SUS 



the line between Newton and Hardis- 
ton townships. 

The agriculture of the county is in 
a state of progressive improvement, 
and is now very productive. The 
limestone lands yield large crops of 
wheat, and the slate, where the rock 
does not come too near to the surface, 
is scarce less fertile. Lime is not 
yet much employed as manure, but 
its use is growing, and will doubtlessly 
be extensive, when its benefits shall 
be generally known. Wheat, rye, 
oats, corn, and iron, are staple pro- 
ducts. 

The principal towns and post of- 
fices, are Newton, the county town, 
Deckertown, Hamburg, Ogdensburg, 
Sparta, Andover, Greenville, Still- 
water, Branchville, Augusta, and La- 
fayette. Benville, Coursenville, Flat- 
brookville, Fredon, Gratitude, Har- 
mony, Hamburg, Lafayette, Liberty- 
ville, Lockwood, Monroe, Montague, 
Sandystone, Stanhope, Vernon, Wal- 
pack, and Wantage. 

By returns of the assessors, for 
the year 1832, there were 107.5 
householders, 58 merchants, shop- 
keepers, and traders, 87 run of stones 
for grinding grain, 18 carding ma- 
chines, 3 iron furnaces, 55 saw mills, 
28 forge fires, 7 fulling mills, 3875 
horses and mules, 13,070 neat cattle 
3 years old and upwards, 6 ferries 
and toll bridges, 227 tan vats, 36 
distilleries, and 101,887 acres of im- 



proved land. The amount of state 
and county tax, was $7500 95 ; poor 
tax, $3300 ; road tax, $8600. 

By the census of 1830, the popu- 
lation of the county amounted to 
20,346 souls, of whom 10,240 were 
white males ; 9654 white females ; 
206 free coloured males; 195 free 
coloured females ; 21 male, and 30 
female slaves. Of these inhabitants, 
89 were aliens; 6 deaf and dumb; 
14 blind. 

The provision for moral improve- 
ment in the county, consist of 2 clas- 
sical seminaries at Newton, 6 com- 
mon schools in that town, and others 
in sufficient numbers for the wants of 
the people throughout the county ; a 
Lyceum for the cultivation of letters 
and science, and a public library at 
Newton; a county Bible society, a 
county Sunday school union, and 
district Sunday schools and tempe- 
rance societies. 

The county elects 1 member to the 
legislative council, and 2 to the As- 
sembly. The courts of common 
pleas, orphans', and quarter sessions, 
are holden at Newton, on the last 
Tuesday of January, the 4th Tuesday 
of May, the 3d of August, and the 
4th of November; and the circuit 
courts, and sessions of oyer and ter- 
miner and general jail delivery, are 
holden on the 4th Tuesdays of May, 
and November. 



STATISTICAL TABLE OF SUSSEX COUNTY. 



Townships. 


"Sd 

c 




Area. 


Surface. 


Population. 












m 






1810. 


1820. 


1830. 


By ram, 


10 


8 


21,760 


mountainous. 


591 


672 


958 


Frankfort, 


11 


8^ 


28,800 


valley. 


1637 


2008 


1996 


Green, 


9 


4 


14,080 


p't hilly, p't level. 






801 


Hardiston, 


13 


9 


41,960 


mountainous. 


1702 


2160 


2588 


Montague, 


8^ 


7J, 


21,620 


moun. &riv. flat. 


661 


964 


990 


Newton, 


12 


10 


65,920 


hilly, p't level. 


2082 


2743 


3464 


Sandistone, 


H 


7 


19,320 


moun. &riv. flat. 


703 


1945 


1097 


Stillwater, 


10 


7 


28,160 


moun. level. 






1381 


Walpack, 


10 


4 


15,360 


moun. «fcriv. flat. 


591 


822 


660 


Wantage, 


11 


Si 


42,880 


do. do. 


2969 


3307 


4034 


Vernon, 


11 


10 


52,480 


mountainous. 


1708 


2096 


2377 




352,300 


12,644 


1 6,617,' 20,346 



sus 



247 



SUS 



We have already, in our introduc- 1 
tory chapter, noted generally the' 
geological and mineralogical charac- ! 
ter of this county. But the reader 1 
will be gratified with the following 
special notice fi'om Dr. Samuel Fow- 
ler, whose intimate knowledge of the 
subject, renders the account highly 
valuable. 

Perhaps in no quarter of the globe is 
there so much found to interest the mine- 
ralogist, as in the white crystalhne cal- 
careous valley, commencing at Mounts 
Adam and Eve, in the county of Orange, 
and state of New York, about three miles 
from the line of tiie state of New Jersey, 
and continuing thence, through Vernon, 
Hamburg, Franklin, Sterling, Sparta and 
Byram, a distance of about twenty-five 
miles, in the county of Sussex, and state 
of New Jersey. This limestone is highly 
crystalline, coniaining no organic re- 
mains, and is the great imbedding matrix 
of all the curious and interesting minerals 
found in this valley. When burned, it 
produces lime of a superior quality. A 
considerable quantity of this stone is 
burned into lime near Hamburg, and when 
carted to the towns below, as Patterson, 
Newark, &c. is sold for one dollar per 
bushel. It is principally used in masonry, 
for whitewashing, cornice work, and wall 
of a fine hard finish, and is considered su- 
perior to the best Rhode Island lime. 
Some varieties, particularly the granular, 
furnish a beautiful marble ; it is often 
white, with a slight tinge of yellow, re- 
sembling the Parian marble from the 
island of Pares; at other times clouded, 
black, sometimes veined, black, and at 
other times arborescent. 

Franklinitc ; a new metalliferous combi- 
nation, containing, according to Berthier, 
of oxide of zinc 17, of iron 66, and man- 
ganese 16, is very abundant; indeed it 
appears inexhaustible. It commences 
about half a mile north-east of Franklin 
furnace, and extends two miles south- 
west of Sparta, a distance of nine miles. 
It is accompanied in this whole distance 
by the red oxide of zinc, mutually enve- 
loping each other. The greatest quantity 
appears to be at Franklin furnace. The 
bed here, is about 100 feet high above the 
adjoining land, on the west side of it, and 
from ten to forty feet wide. Various at- 
tempts have been made to work this ore in 
a blast furnace, but without success. It 
frequently congeals in the hearth, before 
time is allowed to get it out in a liquid 
state, in consequence of a combination of 
the iron with manganese. All this dif- 
ficulty I apprehend mijrht be overcome, 
if a method could be discovered of smelt- 



ing iron ore in a blast furnace with an- 
thracite coal ; as the Franklinite requires 
a greater degree of heat to cause it to re- 
tain its liquid state, than can be obtained 
by the use of charcoal. It occurs in grains 
imbedded in the white carbonate of lime, 
and detached in concretions of various 
sizes, from that of a pin's head to a hickory 
nut; also, in regular octahedral crystals, 
emarginated on the angles, small at Frank- 
lin, but very perfect, witii brilliant faces. 
At Sterling, the crystals are large and 
perfect. I have one from tliat place that 
measures sixteen inches around the com- 
mon base. 

Red Oxide of Zinc. — At Sterling, tiiree 
miles from Franklin, a mountain mass of 
this formation presents itself about 200 
feet high. Here, as Mr. Nuttall truly ob- 
serves, the red oxide of zinc forms as it 
were a paste, in which the crystals of 
Franklinite are thickly imbedded ; in fact 
a metalliferous porphyry. This appears to 
be the best adapted for manufacturing 
purposes. The Franklinite imbedded in 
tlie zinc ore here, is highly magnetic, and 
may be all separated by magnetic cylin- 
ders, recently brought into use to separate 
the earthy portion of magnetic iron ore. 
It was long since observed, that this ore 
is well adapted for the manufacture of the 
best brass, and may be employed without 
any previous preparation. It is reduced 
without any difficulty to a metallic state, 
and may be made to furnish the sulphate 
of zinc (white vitriol). 

It is remarked by Professor Bull, " that 
this ore, from its abundance, and the many 
uses to which it may be applied, promises 
to be a valuable acquisition to the manu- 
facturing interest of the United States." 
Berthier found it to contain oxide of zinc 
88, red oxide of manganese 12. 

Magnetic Iron Ore. On the west side 
of the Franklinite, and often within a few 
feet of it, appears an abundance of mag- 
netic iron ore, usually accompanied by 
hornblende rock. In some places it soon 
runs into the Franklinite, which destroys 
its usefulness ; and the largest beds are 
combined with plumbago, which renders 
it unprofitable to work in a blooming 
forge, but valuable in a blast furnace. 
On the Franklin or Warwick mountain, 
about four miles east of the furnace, are 
numerous beds of iron ore, from which 
many thousand tons have been taken ; 
and which still contain a large quantity 
of the best quality of ore, either for a 
blooming forge or blast furnace. Iron 
pyrites occur here, both in the valley and 
on the mountain, of a proper quality to 
manufacture sulphate of iron — (copperas.) 
It also occurs crystallized, in cubes, in 
octahedrons, and dodecahedrons, fre- 
quently perfect, and highly splendid. 

The other minerals found in this dis- 



sus 



248 



SUS 



ti'ict arc numerous, rare, interesting, and 
several of tlieni new, and not found in 
any other place, but better calculated to 
instruct the naturalist and adorn his cabi- 
net, than for any particular uses to which 
they have as yet been applied. A catalogue 
of which I have subjoined, designating 
the minerals as they occur in each town- 
ship. 

In Byram t-ship, considered the south 
western extremity of the white carbonate 
of lime. 

1. Spinelle, colour reddish brown, 
green, and black, in octahedral crystals, 
associated with orange coloured brucite. 

2. Brucite of various shades, from that 
of a straw colour, to a dark orange, and 
nearly black. 

3. Grey hornblende in six-sided prisms, 
with diedral summits. 

In the Toionship of Hardiston. 
At Sparta: 

1. Brucite of a beautiful honey colour — 
the finest we have is found here. 

2. Augite in six-sided prisms, colour 
brownish green. 

At Sterling : 

1. Spinelle, black, green, and grey, in 
octahedral crystals. 

2. Brucite of various shades. 

3. Brutile, colour steel grey ; lustre 
metallic, in acicular prisms, with longitu- 
dinal striad. 

4. Blende, black and white ; the white 
sometimes in octahedral crystals, the lus- 
tre brilliant. 

5. Dysluite,inoctahedralcrystals, colour 
brown externally, internally yellowish 
brown ; lustre metallic — (a new mineral.) 

G. Ferruginous silicate of manganese, 
in six-sided prisms, colour pale yellow, 
associated with Franklinite. 

7. Tourmaline, imbedded in white feld- 
spar, in six-sided prisms, longitudinally 
striated ; colour reddish brown. 

8. Green and blue carbonate of cop- 
per. A number of large excavations were 
made at the Sterling mine for copper, 
during the revolutionary war, under an 
erroneous impression, that the rod oxide 
of zinc, was the red copper ore. It was 
the property of Lord Sterling ; hence the 
name of the Sterling mine. Of copper, 
we only find there a trace of the green 
and blue carbonate. 

At Franklin : 

1. Spinelle, black and red crystallized. 

2. Ceylonite, green and bluish green, 
in perfect octahedrons truncated on tlie 
angles ; lustre of the brilliance of polish- 
ed steel. 

5. Garnets, black, brown, yellow, red, 
and green — crystallized in dodecahe- 
drons. 

6. Silicate of Manganese, light brown- 
ish red. 

7. Ferro Silicate of Manganese, of Pro- 
fessor Thomson, and the Fowlerite, of 



Nuttall, light red or pink, foliated and 
splendent, has much the appearance of 
Feldspar, is also in rectangular prisms. 

8. Lesqui- Silicate of Manganese, la- 
mellar in scales or small plates ; colour, 
brownish black. 

9. Hornblende, crystallized. 

10. Actynolite, do. 
31. Tremolite, do. 

12. Augite, common variety, do. 

13. Jeffersonite, do. do. 

14. Plumbago, foliated and crystallized 
in six-sided balls. 

15. Brucite of various shades. 

16. Scapolite, white, crystallized. 

17. Wernerite, yellow, do. 

18. Tourmaline, black, do. 

19. Fluate of Lime, earthy and do. 

20. Galena. 

21. Oolite, in small grains about the 
size of a mustard seed, disseminated in 
blue secondary carbonate of lime. 

22. Asbestos, connected with Horn- 
blende rock. 

23. Green Beryl. 

24. Feldspar, green and white, crystal- 
lized. 

25. Epidote and Pink Carbonate of 
Lime. 

26. Arsenical Pyrites. 

27. Serpentine. 

28. Sahlite. 

29. Cocolite, green and black. 

30. Sphene, honey colour, crystallized. 

31. Quartz. 

32. Jasper. 

33. Chalcedony. 

34. Amethyst, crystallized. 

35. Agate. 

36. Mica, black and orange coloured, 
crystallized. 

37. Zircon, crystallized. 

38. Sulphate of Molybdena. 

39. Phosphate of Iron. 

40. Carbonate of Iron. 

41. Steatite, foliated with yellow Gar- 
net. 

42. Phosphate of Lime, crystallized. 

43. Pale Yellow-blende, of a foliated 
structure — lustre, vitreous. 

JVear Hamhurgh. 

1. An ore of Manganese, and iron of a 
light reddish brown, very compact and 
heavy. 

2. Augite and Brucite. 

In the Toicnshlp of Vernon. 

1. Green Spinelle and Brucite, in octa- 
hedral crystals. 

In JVewton Township. 

1. Sulphate of Barytes in lamellar 
masses, and tabular crystals, in a vein 
traversing secondary limestone. 

2. Sapphire, blue and white, in rhombs 
and six-sided prisms. 

3. Red Oxide of Titanium. 



TAN 



249 



TIM 



4. Grey Spinelle in large octahedral 
crystals. 

5. Mica, copper coloured, in hexahe- 
drnl crystals. 

6. Idocrase, crystallized, yellowish 
brown. 

7. Steatite, presenting the pseudomor- 
phous form of quartz, scapolite, and spi- 
nelle. 

8. Scapolite, in four-sided prisms. For 
a more particular account of the Newton 
minerals, see Silliman's Journal, vol. XXI. 
page' 319. 

In Frankford Township. 

Serpentine, of a light yellowish green, 
bears a fine polish, has a glistening lustre, 
and is quite abundant. 

Swartwoufs Pond, a large sheet 
of- water, of Stillwater t-ship, Su.ssex 
CO., which sends forth a tributary to 
Paulinskill. 

Swedcshord', p-t. of Woolwich 
t-ship, Gloucester co., 13 miles S. W. 
from Woodbury, 49 miles from Tren- 
ton, and 155 from W. C, at the head 
of sloop navigation, on Raccoon creek, 
about 5 miles from its mouth; con- 
tains about 100 dwellings, an Epis- 
copal and a Methodist church, an 
aeademy, 2 taverns, 4 stores, a mer- 
chant grist mill, and an extensive 
woollen factory, belonging to C. C. 
Stratton, Esq. The country around 
it is level; soil, sandy loam, fertile, 
and well cultivated. Battentown, a 
mile distant from it, contains 1 tavern, 
and a few dwellings. 

Swede's Branch, mill stream of 
Chester t-ship, Burlington co., flows 
by a N. W. course of more than 3 
miles, to the Delaware river. 

Sunmming River. (See Shi'cws- 
hury river.) 

Tabernacle, village of Northamp- 
ton t-ship, Burlington co., 12 miles 
S. W. of Mount Holly; contains a 
Methodist church, a tavern, and 10 
or 12 houses. 

Talman''s Creek, small tributary 
of the Rancocus creek, rising in 
Evesham t-ship, Burlington co., near 
Evesham village, and flows six miles 
to its recipient. 

Tansboro\ village of Gloucester 

t-ship, of Gloucester co., on the road 

from Long-a-coming, to Great Egg 

Harbour river, 15 miles S. E. from 

2 1 



Woodbury, 18 from Camden; con- 
tains a tavern, and some half dozen 
dwellings. Surrounded by a sandy 
soil, and pine forest. 

Tarkiln Creek, mill stream of 
Maurice River t-ship, Cumberland 
CO., rismg in the t-ship, and flowing 
by a southerly course, of 10 miles 
into the Delaware bay. 

Tavnton Furnace, on Haines' 
creek, Evesham t-ship, Burlington 
CO., 11 miles S. W. from Mount Hol- 
ly, and 14 S. E. from Camden. 

Tenants' Rtin, a tributary of South 
I'iver, South Amboy t-ship, Middlesex 
CO., flowing N. W., between 3 and 4 
miles to its recipient. 

Teiokeshiiry, t-ship, Hunterdon co.,. 
bounded N. by Washington t-ship, 
Morris co. ; E. by Bedminster t-ship, 
Somerset co. ; S. by Rcadington 
t-ship, and W. and S. W. by Leba- 
non t-ship; centrally distant N. E. 
from Flemington, 14 miles; great- 
est length, N. and S., 8 ; breadth, E. 
and W. &1 miles ; area, 23,000 acres ; 
surface hilly ; soil, on the mountain, 
clay and loam, and in the valley, at 
its foot, grey limestone, rich and well 
cultivated ; drained by Rockaway 
creek, and its tributaries, flowing S. 
E. through the township, and by 
Lamington river, m' hich* runs on the 
eastern boundary. New German- 
town, and Pottersville, are post-towns 
of the t-ship. Population in 1830, 
1659. In 1832 the t-ship contained 
8 stores, 6 saw mills, 3 grist mills, 
28 tanner's vats, 2 carding machines, 
2 fulling mills, 9 distilleries, 417 
horses and mules, 696 neat cattle, 
aljove 3 years of age ; and paid poor 
tax, $350 ; road tax, $600 ; state and 
county tax, $706 68. 

Tice's Pond, at the foot of the 
Ramapo mountain, Pompton t-ship, 
Bergen co. ; covers about 200 acres 
of ground, and is the source of a tri- 
butary of Ringwood river. 

Timber Creek, Big, (iloucester 
CO., ris(>s by two branches, the lesser 
in Gloucester, and the greater in 
Deptford t-ship, uniting about 6 miles 
above the mouth. The north branch 
is navigable for sloops from the Dc- 



TOM 



250 



TRE 



laware to Chew's landing, a distance 
of 8 or 9 miles, and the south, nearly 
to Blackwoodtown, a distance of about 
10 miles. The whole length of the 
stream, by its meanders, may be 13 
or 14 miles. It receives several 
small tributaries in its course, and 
drives some valuable mills. 

Timber Creek, Little, of Wool- 
wich t-ship, Gloucester co., rises in 
the t-ship, and flows N. W. 7 or 8 
miles, to the Delaware river, below 
Chester Island. There is a mill upon 
it, near its head. 

Tiiiton Falls, village, and mill site 
of Shrewsbury t-ship, Monmouth co., 
upon a branch of the Nevisink river, 
9 miles E. from Freehold; contains 
from 15 to 20 dwellings, a grist and 
saw mill, 1 tavern, and 2 stores. The 
water of the S. E. branch of Swim- 
ming river, falls over a sand rock, 
filled with animal remains, and form- 
ing a cascade of about 30 feet high. 
From this rock flows a copious cha- 
lybeate spring, which is frequently 
visited by those who seek health or 
amusement at the boarding houses 
near the coast. 

Titiisville, post-office, Hunterdon 
county. 

Toms' River, p-t., of Dover t-ship, 
Monmouth Kio., upon the head of 
Toms' River bay, and tide water, 
25 miles S. E. from Freehold, 221 
from W. City, and 69 from Tren- 
ton, and 6 from the confluence of the 
river with Barnegat bay ; a flourish- 
ing village, lying on both sides of the 
creek, united by a wooden bridge, of 
near 200 feet in length ; contains 
from 50 to 60 frame dwellings, some 
of which are very neat and commo- 
dious ; 2 taverns, 5 or 6 stores, and 
a Methodist meeting. Many sloops 
and schooners are built here, and 
more than -1200,000 worth of timber 
and cord-wood, annually exported. 

Toms' River, mill stream of Mon- 
mouth CO. ; its main branch rises on 
the line dividing Freehold and Upper 
Freehold t-ships, and near Paint 
Island spring; and flows thence by 
a S. E. and E. course of 30 miles, 
into Barnegat bay. Above the village 



of Toms' river, about 4 miles, it re- 
ceives the south branch, which is 
formed by many streams from Dover 
and Upper Freehold t-ships ; and about 
a mile above the village. Wrangle 
Brook also unites with it. It drains 
a wide expanse of forest land, and by 
the main stream and branches turns 
many mills and iron works. 

Townshury, post-office, Warren 
county. 

Tranquilitij, small tributary of the 
west branch of Wading river, rises 
and flows about 4 miles in the neck 
of land, between the east and west 
branches of the river. 

Trap, hamlet of Shrewsbury t-ship, 
Monmouth co., near Shark river, 11 
miles S. E. from Freehold ; contain- 
ing 6 or 8 dwellings, surrounded by 
a sandy soil and pine forest. 

Trenton t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
bounded N. by Hopewell, E. by 
Lawrence t-ships; S. E. by Not- 
tingham t-ship, of Burlington co. ; 
and S. W. and W. by the river De- 
laware. Greatest length N. W. and 
S. E. 8 miles; breadth E. and W. 
6 miles; area, 10,609 acres; surface, 
level; soil, clay and red shale, gene- 
rally well cultivated, and productive. 
It is drained by Jacob's creek on the 
north, and by the Assunpink and its 
tributaries, on the south. The town 
of Birmingham, and the city of Tren- 
ton, are within its boundary. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 3925. In 1832, 
there were in the t-ship 1 1 merchants, 
3 fisheries, 2 saw mills, 3 grist mills, 
2 ferries and bridges, 220 tan vats, 
2 grain distilleries, 469 horses and 
mules, and 590 neat cattle, above 3 
years old ; and it paid poor tax, 
$900; road tax, $400; and county 
tax, $1264 98. (See Trenton City'.) 

Trenton, city, and seat of govern- 
ment of the state, on the left bank of 
the Delaware river, three-fourths of 
a mile above the tide, opposite the 
lower falls of the river, and on the 
north side of the Assunpink creek, 
Trenton t-ship, Flunterdon co., 30 
miles from Philadelphia, 58 from 
New York; lat. 40° 13' 41" N.; 
long. 0° 21' 15" E. of Philadelphia, 



TRE 



251 



TRE 



and 2° 8' 15" of Washington City. 
Incorporated by the act of 13th No- 
vember, 1792, which established its 
government under a mayor, recorder, 
3 aldermen, and 13 assistants, with 
the usual city privileges, and powei- 
to license taverns within the city; 
and by the act of 3d January, 1817, 
the mayor, recorder, and aldermen, 
or any three of them, of whom the 
mayor and recorder must be one, are 
empowered to hold a court of general 
quarter sessions. There are here, a 
state house, 100 by 60 feet, with 
bow at either end, cupola, and bell ; 
the building is of stone, stuccoed 
in imitation of dark granite, and 
beautifully situated on the bank of 
the river, commanding a fine view of 
the stream, the airy bridge which 
has been thrown over it, and of the 
undulating shore of Pennsylvania : a 
house for the residence of the gover- 
nor of the state; 3 fire-proof offices, 
a bank incorporated in 1804, with 
an authorized capital of $600,000, 
of which $214,740 only have been 
paid in; an academy in which the 
languages are taught, 3 boarding and 
day schools for females, and several 
common schools. These are, how- 
ever, in the city proper ; but Trenton, 
as known in common parlance, in- 
cluding the villages of Mill Hill, 
Bloomsburyj and Lamberton, extend- 
ing 1| miles down the river bank, has 
an Episcopal, Presbyterian, Friends', 
Baptist, Reformed Baptist, Roman 
Catholic, Methodist, and African Me- 
thodist churches. Trenton proper 
contains 425 dwellings, 13 taverns, 
about 30 stores, among which are 3 
bookstores, and 3 silversmith shops ; 

3 printing offices, each of which is- 
sues a weekly paper, viz. the Union, 
the True American, and the New 
Jersey Gazetteer; a public library, es- 
tablished about the year 1750, and a 
lyceum or literary association. Mill 
Hill has 78 dwellings, 4 stores, and 

4 taverns. Bloomsbury, 145 dwell- 
ings, 2 stores, and 5 taverns ; and 
Lamberton, 64 dwellings, 2 stores, 
and 2 taverns. The Philadelphia 
steam-boats ply daily, and sometimes 



several times a day, one from Lam- 
berton, and others from Bloomsbury ; 
and stages run 3 times a day by the 
rail-road to New York and Philadel- 
phia. Stages also run hence by 
Princeton to Brunswick, and to va- 
rious other pai'ts of the country 
The Delaware and Raritan canal re 
ceives its feeder here, on which is an 
extensive basin for vessels and boats, 
and the main canal crosses the As- 
sunpink east of the town, over a no- 
ble stone aqueduct. The state prison 
is at Lamberton, where a new prison 
is also being erected, adapted to the 
confinement of 150 convicts. Thf>^ 
lamed bridge over the Delaware, is 
thrown from Bloomsbury to Morris- 
ville, a span of 1100 feet, having a 
double carriage-way and foot-paths 
resting on the chords of, and suspend- 
ed from, a series of five arches, sup- 
ported on stone piers. This struc- 
ture has been much admired for its 
lightness, grace, and strength. There 
are on the Assunpink, within the 
town, two cotton mills, having 5400 
spindles, and one mill for power 
looms, and on the Delaware, two 
mills for looms; the whole number 
of looms exceed 200. 

For some years past Trenton has 
not been in a very thriving state, but 
the late improvements have given 
new life to business and enterprise, 
and much prosperity is anticipated 
from the completion of the canal, and 
particularly from the construction of 
the mill race, now being made by the 
Trenton Falls Company. 

This company was incorporated by 
an act of the legislature, 16th Feb. 
1831, with power to purchase, lease, 
or sell lands, mills, and water privi- 
leges useful in the creation of water 
power ; to cut a wing dam in the De- 
laware river, between the mouth of 
the Assunpink and the head of Wells' 
Falls, and a race-way along the bank, 
not extending more than one and a 
half miles below the Trenton Falls ; 
to make lateral race-ways and other 
works; to sell lots, sites, and privi- 
leges under the charter; and with a 
general power of taking lands neces- 



TRE 



252 



TRE 



sary for their purposes, at the ap- 
praisement of the commissioners ; and 
with the customary powers granted 
to other coi'porations. Their charter 
is perpetual, protecting the company 
from any tax exceeding the half of 
one per cent, on the actual amount of 
capital expended in the construction 
of the work, with the privilege of ex- 
tending its capital to $200,000. Each 
share, in the election of managers, is 
entitled to one vote. 

The capital subscribed is $90,000 ; 
the cost of constructing the work is 
estimated at $140,000 exclusive of 
the lands purchased by the company 
for mill sites and building lots. The 
canal and race-Avay commences at 
the head of Scudder's Falls, directly 
opposite the upper end of Slack's 
Island, and continues down the mar- 
gin of the river, to a point opposite 
the centre of White's Island, where, 
leaving the bank, it enters upon the 
meadows bordering the river, through 
which it passes to the Assunpink, in 
Trenton; thence, it is designed to 
cross this creek by an aqueduct, and 
to pass through Bloomsbury, to the 
precincts of Lamberton, where it de- 
bouches into the river. 

The fall in the river Delaware, be- 
tween the head and foot of the race- 
way is 20 feet, of which, one foot and 
a half descent is given to the race- 
way, leaving a head and fall at the 
Assunpink of 14 feet, and below the 
foot of the Trenton Falls 18^ feet. 

The entire column of the water de- 
scending the race-way is estimated at 
23,868 cubic feet per minute, at the 
lowest known state of the water. — 
This at the Assunpink, will afford a 
power equal to 335 horses; or if all be 
expended below the Assunpink, equal 
to 575 horses : or should one-third of 
the water be used above, and two- 
thirds below the creek, the power 
above will be equal to 145 horses, 
and that below, to 384 horses. This 
calculation is based on a depth of six 
feet water only, in the race-way ; the 
minimum supply, after all deductions 
for leakage and evaporation at the 
lowest water. 



This, however, is the view of the 
power, in what is deemed its first 
stage. The work commences at the 
upper end of Slack's Island, which is 
of considerable extent, situate near 
the middle of the river. The main 
channel of the stream was formei'ly 
on the right, or Pennsylvania side of 
the island, but a loose stone wall hav- 
ing, some years since, been thrown 
across this channel to improve the 
navigation of the river, the larger 
j)ortion of the water was thrown into 
the Jersey channel. This wall re- 
mains, but it is overflowed at the 
lowest water. By raising this dam 
and throwing the whole current of 
the river into this channel, or by en- 
tirely removing it, and erecting a dam 
from the head of the company's works 
to Slack's Island, and reopening the 
channel on the other side, the water 
in the raceway would be raised two 
feet beyond its present elevation ; and 
in constructing their work, the com- 
pany have adapted it to the reception 
of that body of water. A column of 
eight feet instead of six, would thus 
be gained in the race ; the velocity 
of its current increased to 122 feet 
per minute, and the quantity of water 
to 52,704 cubic feet in the same time. 
The power of the water would then 
be equal to 960 horses at the Assun- 
pink, or 1260 below it: or should 
one-third of the power be employed 
above, and two-thirds below the creek, 
it would afford the company a power 
above, equal to 330 horses, below, 
840, in the whole 1170. 

The company propose to let their 
lands for the erection of mills, above 
the Assunpink, at 30 cents, and be- 
loAv the creek, at from 40 to 50 cents 
the foot, perpetual rent, according to 
situation ; with the right of the free 
use of the company's wharf, rail-road, 
&c. : and their lands for dwellings, 
in lots 20 by 75 feet, at $6 per an- 
num. The buildings, in all cases, to 
be fire proof. And they propose to 
let the water from the main race-way 
for mill power, at a perpetual rent 
of three dollars above, and four dol- 
lars below the Assunpink creek, for 



TRE 



253 



TRE 



every square inch area of the aper- 
ture, through which it shall be drawn 
oft" by a flume, the plan of which is in 
the office of the company. The aper- 
ture to be measured and made accord- 
ing to the standard measure, also 
kept by the company, and similar to 
that- in the office of the Secretary of 
State, at Washington, and according 
to other regulations published by the 
company. 

The advantages of this site for 
manufacturing purposes are perhaps 
unsurpassed by any in the country. 
Intermediately situated between the 
great markets of Philadelphia and 
New York, 30 miles from the former, 
and 60 from the latter — surrounded by 
a rich agricultural country, producing 
a large surplus quantity of grain of 
every description, and capable of quad- 
rupling its productions — upon a river, 
navigable to the ocean,and for near 250 
miles above the falls, flowing through 
a wide and fertile country, whose pro- 
ducts may find a ready market here ; 
having also the feeder of the Dela- 
ware and Raritan canal, connecting 
with the main canal in the heart of 
the city plot, whilst the canal itself 
unites with the Delaware, below the 
bar at Bordentown, and passing 
tlu'ough Trenton, along the Millstone 
and Raritan rivers, to New Bruns- 
wick, affords a fine sloop navigation, 
and all the advantages of cheap and 
rapid water transportation from and 
to Philadelphia and New York : — the 
facility of obtaining an abundant and 
cheap supply of anthracite coal by 
the river and the Pennsylvania canal, 
on the opposite bank : — the rail-roads 
made, and in progress towards New 
York and Philadelphia, of which, 
there are two leading to the latter, 
one on each side of the river ; that on 
the west running directly from the 
city, and that on the east from Bor- 
dentown, combine all that the ma- 
nufacturer can require: — a healthy 
country, abundant and cheap provi- 
sions, an adequate supply of labour- 
ers, convenience in obtaining raw 
materials, unfailing power for its ma- 
nipulation, and a chance of, and rea- 



dy access to, the best markets of the 
country. 

The following is a description of 
Trenton, in 1748, as given by the 
Swedish traveller Kalm — which the 
citizen will delight to compare with 
its present condition : 

"Trenton is a long, narrow town, 
situate at some distance from the 
river Delaware, on a sandy plain. 
It is reckoned 30 miles from Phila- 
delphia. It has two small churches, 
one for the people belonging to the 
Church of England, the other for the 
Presbyterians. The houses are part- 
ly built of stone, though most of them 
are made of wood or planks, com- 
monly two stories high, together with 
a cellar below the building, and a 
kitchen under ground, close to the 
cellar. The houses stand at a mode- 
rate distance from one another. They 
are commonly built so that the street 
passes along one side of the houses, 
while gardens of different dimensions 
bound the other side ; in each garden 
is a draw-well ; the place is reckoned 
very healthy. Our landlord told us 
that 22 years ago, when he first set- 
tled here, (1726) there was hardly 
more than one house : but from that 
time, Trenton has increased so much, 
that there are at present near an hun- 
dred houses. The houses w^ere with- 
in, divided into several rooms by their 
partitions of boards. The inhabitants 
of the place carried on a small trade 
with the goods which they got from 
Philadelphia; but their chief gain 
consisted in the arrival of the nume- 
rous travellers between that city and 
New Yorlc ; for they are commonly 
brniight by the Trenton yachts from 
Philadelphia to Trenton, or from 
thence to Philadelphia. But from 
Trenton, further to New Brunswick, 
the travellers go in wagons, which 
set out every day for that place. Se- 
veral of the inhabitants also subsist 
on the carriage of all sorts of goods, 
which are sent in great quantities, 
cither from Philadelphia to New Yoz'k, 
or from thence to the former place — 
for between Philadelphia and Tren- 
ton, all goods go by water; but be- 



TUC 



254 



TUR 



tween Trenton and New Brunswick, 
they arc all carried by land, and both 
these conveniences belong to people 
of this town. For the yachts which 
go between this place and tlie capital 
of Pennsylvania, they usually pay a 
shilling and sixpence, Pennsylvania 
currency, per person, and every one 
pays beside for his baggage. Every 
passenger must provide meat and 
drink for himself, and pay some set- 
tled fare. Between Trenton and New 
Brunswick, a person pays 2s. 6d., and 
the baggage is likewise paid for sepa- 
rately." 

The town was founded a few years 
prior to 1720, by William Trent, an 
enterprising trader, who was distin- 
guished for public spirit, and private 
character, in the provinces of Penn- 
sylvania and New Jersey. He was 
at one time. Speaker of the Assembly 
of the former, and at another. Speak- 
er of the Assembly of the latter, pro- 
vince. The site of Trenton, before 
it bore his name, was significantly 
called Littleworth. Mr. Trent died 
on the 29th December, 1724. 

Trowbridge Mountain, a long and 
irregularly shaped hill, of Morris co., 
extending from the N. branch of the 
Raritan, through Mendham, Ran- 
dolph, and Hanover t-ships, to the 
Rockaway river, ranging S. W. and 
N. E. It is of granitic formation ; 
many parts of it in cultivation, but 
generally sterile. 

Troy, hamlet of Hanover t-ship, 
Morris co., on the Parcipany river, 
about 7 miles N. E. of Morristown ; 
contains a forge, 1 grist mill, a saw 
mill, and 12 or 15 dweUings. Soil, 
sandy loam. 

Tuhmill, branch of Wading river, 
rises in the west plains of Little Egg 
Harbour t-ship, Burlington co., and 
flows S. W. 7 miles to its recipient, 
about a mile below Bridgeport. 

Tuckahoe Creek, rises on the line 
between Weymouth t-ship, Glouces- 
ter CO., and Maurice river t-ship, 
Cumberland co., and forms, in part, 
the western boundary of the former 
CO., and also, its southern boundary, 
separating it in the latter case, from 



Capfr May co. Its course, for about 
11 miles, is S., thence due E. for 
about 12 miles; emptying into Great 
Egg Harbour bay. it is a fine mill 
stream, driving several mills, at Mar- 
shallville, Etna, and other higher 
points, and is navigable for sloops, 
above the village of Tuckahoe, more 
than 10 miles from the ocean. 

Tuckahoe, p-t. on both sides of the 
Tuckahoe river, over which there is 
a bridge, 10 miles above the sea, 46 
miles S. E. from Woodburj^, and by 
post-route 192 from Washington ; 
contains some 20 dwellings, 3 ta- 
verns, several stores. It is a place 
of considerable trade in wood, lum- 
ber, and ship building. The land 
immediately on the river is good, but 
a short distance from it, is swampy 
and low. 

Tuckerton, p-t, and port of entry, 
for Little Egg Harbour district, about 
35 miles S. E. of Mount Holly, 65 
from Trenton, and 189 N. E. from 
W. C. ; situate on a narrow tongue 
of land, projecting into the marsh on 
Little Egg Harbour bay, Little Egg 
Harbour t-ship, Burlington co. ; con- 
tains between 30 and 40 dwellings, 
4 taverns, 5 stores, 2 Methodist 
churches, a Quaker meeting house. 
It lies upon a navigable stream, call- 
ed Sherd's Mill Branch, 6 miles from 
the bay, whence wood scows and 
flats ascend to the town. There is a 
large business done here in timber 
and cord-wood ; and salt is, or was 
manufactured in the vicinity. The 
town is frequented during the sum- 
mer season, by many persons for the 
benefits of sea-bathing, &c. A stage 
plies regularly between it and Phila- 
delphia. 

Tidipehaukin Creek, tributary of 
the west branch of W^ading river, 
rises in, and has its whole course of 
about 8 miles, through Washington 
t-ship, Burlington co. 

Turpentine, hamlet of Northamp- 
ton t-ship, Burlington co., on the road 
from Mount Holly to Freehold, about 
a mile east from the former ; contains 
a tavern, a store, and some 8 or 10 
dwellings. 



UPP 



255 



VAU 



Turtle Gut Inlet, Lowei* t-ship, 
Cape May co., between Five Mile 
and Two Mile Beach. 

Tuscomusco Creek, a small tribu- 
tary of the Atsion river, Evesham 
t-ship, Burlington co. 

Two Mile Beach, on the Atlantic 
ocean, Low^cr t-ship, Cape May co., 
between Turtle Gut and Cold Spring 
Inlet. 

Union Cross Roads, hamlet of 
Deptford t-ship, Gloucester c^., 4 
miles S. E. of Woodbury; contains 
3 or 4 dwellings. 

Union t-ship, Essex co., bounded 
N. by Orange and Newark t-ships ; 
E. by Elizabethtown t-ship ; S. by 
Rahway, and W. by Westfield and 
Springfield t-ships. Centrally distant 
from Newark S. W. 6 miles: great- 
est length N. and S. 5^, breadth E. 
and W. 5 miles ; area, 12,000 acres ; 
surface, rolling; soil, red shale, well 
cultivated ; watered by Elizabeth river 
on the east, and Rahway river on the 
west. Population in 1830, 1405. — 
In 1832 the t-ship contained 350 tax- 
ables, 56 householders, whose i-ata- 
bles did not exceed $30 in value ; 40 
single men, 2 stores, 7 saw mills, 1 
woollen factory, 21 tan vats; and 
paid state tax, $179 65; county, 
470 04; poor, $300. There is a 
fine body of turf here, upon the south 
branch of Elizabeth river. 

Union or " Connecticut Farms,'''' 
is the post-town of the preceding 
t-ship, situated on the road from Eli- 
zabethtown to Morristown, 4 miles 
N. W. of the former, 5 miles S. E. 
from Newark, 213 N. E. from W. 
C, and 47 from Trenton ; contains 
a Pi'Csbyterian church, and within a 
half a mile of it, 3 taverns, a store, 
and about 30 dwellings. 

Up-Clearing Creek, a small tribu- 
tary of Cohansey creek, which flows 
westerly into it, from Hopewell t-sp, 
Cumberland co. 

Upper t-ship. Cape May co., bound- 
ed N. by Tuckahoc creek, which di- 
vides it from Weymouth t-ship, Glou- 
cester CO. ; E. and S. E. by the At- 
lantic ocean; S. W. by Dennis t-sp; 
and N. W. by Maurice river t-ship, 



Cumberland co. Centrally distant 
from Cape May court-house N. E. 
13 miles: greatest length N. E. and 
S. W. 12 miles; breadth S. E. and 
N. W. Hi miles; area, 37,000 
acres ; surface, flat ; soil, sand and 
clay; timber, generally oak and cedar. 
Population in 1830, 1067. In 1832 
there were in the t-ship about 200 
taxables, 173 householders, whose 
ratables did not exceed $30 ; 1 grist 
mill, 6 saw mills, 6 stores, 140 
horses, and 560 cattle above the age 
of three years. There are 1 Baptist 
and 1 Episcopalian church, here. The 
t-ship paid for t-ship expenses, $77 
38 ; county, $466 65 ; state tax, 
$150 73. It is drained by Tuckahoe 
river and Cedar Swamp creek. The 
last flows N. E. from the S. W. 
boundary of the t-ship, through an 
extensive cedar swamp into the river. 
On the Atlantic front is Ludlam's and 
Peck's Beaches, having a width of 
near half a mile, between which 
the tide flows into several marsh ca- 
nals and small lagunes. The marsh 
may have an average width of about 
two miles. Tuckahoe village lies on 
the Tuckahoe river, partly in this, 
and partly in Gloucester co., having 
a post-office in the latter. Marshall- 
ville lies on the line between Cum- 
berland and Cape May counties, but 
in the former. 

Vancamp Brook, rises from two 
ponds at the west foot of the Blue 
mountain, Walpack t-ship, Sussex 
CO., and by a S. W. course of about 
8 miles empties into the Delaware 
river, in Pahaquarry t-ship. 

Vansiclcles, tavern, store, and post- 
office, of Bethlehem t-ship, Hunter- 
don CO., on the S. E. foot of the Mus- 
conetcong mountain, 10 miles N. W. 
from Flemington, 36 from Trenton, 
and 195 froni'W. C. 

Varmintoion, hamlet of Upper 
Freehold t-ship, Monmouth co., 6 
miles S. E. of Allentown, and 16 S. 
W. of Freehold ; contains a wheel- 
wright and smith shop, and 2 or 3 
cottages, in a fertile country of sandy 
loam. 

Vauxhall, small hamlet of Spring- 



VIE 



256 



WAL 



field t-ship,^ Essex co., 7 miles W. 
from Newark, and 2^ N. from 
Springfield. 

Vcaltown,'m a vale of Mine moun- 
tain, on Mine Brook, Bernard t-ship, 
Somerset co., 11 miles N. of Somer- 
ville; contains a mill and some half 
dozen dwellings. 

Vernon t-ship, Sussex co., bounded 
N. by the state of New York ; E. 
by Pompton t-sliip, Bergen co. ; S. 
by Hardiston t-ship; and W. by 
Wantage t-ship, from which it is se- 
parated by the Wallkill river. Great- 
est length 11, breadth 10 miles; area, 
52,480 acres. The whole surface of 
the t-ship is covered by mountains ; 
the Wallkill and Wawayanda moun- 
tains being on the south and east, 
and the Pochuck mountain on the 
west. It is drained north by War- 
wick creek and its tributaries. Black 
creek and Double Pond creek ; south 
by Pacak creek, a tributary of the 
Pequannock, and by some small tri- 
butaries of the Wallkill river. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 2377; taxables in 
1832, 382. There were in the t-ship 
in 1832,158 householders, whose ra- 
tables did not exceed $30 ; 2 store- 
keepers, 5 pairs stones for grinding 
grain, 1 carding machine, 1 furnace, 
3 forges, 8 mill saws, 1 fulling mill, 
311 horses and mules, and 1650 neat 
cattle, 3 years old and upwards, and 
6 distilleries. The t-ship paid for 
school tax, $116; state and county 
tax, $921 10; poor tax, $300; and 
road tax, $1200. Hamburg and Ver- 
non are villages and post-towns of this 
t-ship. The muuntains, which on the 
east, rise to the height of 1000 feet, 
are composed of primitive rock, in 
which hornblende is a principal con- 
stituent ; the valleys are uniformly of 
primitive limestone. The mountains 
yield iron abundantly. 

Vernon, p-t. of the above named 
t-ship, lying in the valley between 
the Wawayanda and Pochuck moun- 
tains, 246 miles N. E. from. W. C, 
88 from Trenton, and 18 from New- 
ton. It contains a tavern, store, and 
from 10 to 12 dwellings. 

Vienna, p-t. of Independence t-ship, 



Warren co., on the Pequest creek, 
near the S. W. boundary of the t-sp, 
by the post-road 220 miles from W. 
C, 54 from Trenton, and 12 from 
Belvidcre, upon the verge of the Great 
Meadows ; contains a Presbyterian 
church, a store, tavern, and 6 or 8 
dwellings. 

Vince?ittown, p-t. of Northampton 
t-ship, Burlington co., at the junction 
of Stop-the-Jade creek with the south 
bran^i of the Rancocus creek, 5 miles 
S. of Mount Holly, 12 miles S. E. 
from Burlington, 32 from Trenton, 
and 159 N. E. from W. C. ; contains 
a grist mill, saw mill, 2 taverns, 4 
stores, from 30 to 40 dwellings, a 
Quaker meeting house, and a house 
of public worship, free to all denomi- 
nations; suri'ounded by a fine fertile 
country. 

Wading River, a considerable 
arm of Little Egg Harbour river, 
which rises by two branches; the 
east in Dover t-ship, Monmouth co., 
and flows S. W. 15 miles, into 
Washington township; the west in 
Northampton t-ship, and flows S. W. 
about 15 miles, to unite with the east, 
near Bodine's tavern. The main 
stem flows by a south course, thence 
of 8 miles to the Little Egg Harbour 
river, below Swan's Bay. 

Waertown, hamlet of Staflbrd t-sp, 
Monmouth co., upon Barnegat bay, 
near the mouth of Waertown creek, 
a small mill stream, of about 3 miles 
long, 35 miles S. E. from Freehold, 
and opposite to Barnegat Inlet; con- 
tains 10 or 12 dwellings, a tavern 
and store ; in a sandy soil, covered 
with pine forest. 

WaWdll Mountains. (See Ham- 
burg.) 

VVallkill River, rises in Byram 
t-ship, Sussex co., and flows by a N. 
E. course of 23 or 24 miles, through 
Hardiston t-ship, dividing Wantage 
from Vernon t-ship, into the state of 
New York, and thence by a like 
course of 35 or 40 miles, through 
Orange and Ulster counties, falls into 
the Hudson river, 3 miles S. E. from 
the village of Esopus or Kingston. 
This stream is remarkable for being 



WAN 



257 



WAR 



the drain of a large and valuable 
tract of marsh meadow land, exceed- 
ing 50,000 acres, elevated more than 
325 feet above tide water. The wa- 
ters which descend from the surround- 
ing hills, being slowly discharged 
from the river, cover these vast mea- 
dows every winter, and v/ould render 
them extremely fertile, could they bo 
effectually drained. 

Walnut Valley, post-office, War- 
ren CO. 

Walpack t-ship, of Sussex co., 
bounded N. E. by Sandistone t-ship; 
S. E. by the Blue mountain, which 
separates it from Stillwater t-ship ; S. 
W. by Pahaquarry t-ship; and W. 
by the river Delaware. Greatest 
length 10 miles; breadth 4 miles; 
area, 15,360 acres ; surface on the 
east, mountainous ; on the west, river 
alluvion. Population in 1830, 660; 
taxables 137. There were in the 
t-ship in 1832, 24 householders whose 
ratables did not exceed f 30 ; 1 store- 
keeper, 2 saw mills, 146 horses and 
mules, 3 years old and upwards ; 
354 neat cattle of like age; 14 tan 
vats. It paid state and county tax, 
$293 80 ; and road tax, $350. It is 
drained by the Flatkill, which runs 
centrally through the t-ship, and 
empties into the Delaware at the 
Walpack Bend ; and by Vancamp 
Brook, which rises in Long Pond, in 
the Blue mountain. There is a post- 
ofBce here, called after the t-ship, dis- 
tant from Washington 240, from 
Trenton 82, and froai Newton 12 
miles. The Blue mountain covers 
nearly half the t-ship; between its 
base and the; river is a margin,' of an 
average width of two miles, of lime- 
stone, bordered and partly covered 
by alluvion, rich and highly produc- 
tive of wheat, corn, &c. There is a 
German Reformed church in the 
t-ship. 

Walpack Bend, a remarkable 
bend of the river Delawai-e, at the 
S. W. angle of Walpack t-ship, about 
85 miles above the city of Trenton. 

Wantage t-ship, of Sussex co., 
bounded N. by the state of New 
York; E. by Vernon t-ship; S. by 

2K 



Frankford and Hardiston t-ships; 
and W. by the Blue mountain, which 
separates this from Sandistone and 
Montague t-ships. Greatest length 
11 miles; breadth 8^ miles; area, 
42,880 acres; surface on the west, 
mountainous and hilly; on the east, 
rolling. Population in 1830,4034; 
taxables 643. There were in the 
t-ship in 1832, 208 householders, 11 
storekeepers or traders, 18 pairs of 
stones for grinding grain, 6 saw 
mills, 1 fulling mill, 5 carding ma- 
chines, 939 horses and mules, and 
3481 neat cattle, over 3 years of 
age; 18 tan vats, and 3 distilleries. 
The t-ship paid a school tax of $500 ; 
state and county tax, $1706 27 ; 
poor tax, $300 ; and road tax, $1500. 
It is drained by Deep Clove river 
and Papakating creek, uniting south 
of Deckertown, and thence flowing 
into the Wallkill river, which forms 
the whole eastern boundary of the 
t-ship. The Paterson and Hamburg 
turnpike road runs N. E., and the 
Newton and Bohon N. W., through 
the t-ship; and at their intersection, 
is the small village of Deckertown. 
There is a post-office at Deckertown, 
444 miles from W. C, 86 from Tren- 
ton, and 16 from Newton; and ano- 
ther called Libertyville, 241 miles 
from W. C, 83 from Trenton, and 
10 from Newton. Wantage is a rich 
t-ship, consisting of limestone and 
slate soils; the one on the east, and 
the other on its western side, highly 
cultivated. Along the Wallkill river, 
there is a margin of swamp, known 
as the Drowned Lands, caused by the 
collection of the waters from the high 
ground, in a deep and flat valley, 
through which the river moves slug- 
gishly. These lands are, in places, 
heavily timbered. 

Wardlc''s Beach, on the Atlantic 
ocean, Shrewsbury t-ship, Monmouth 
CO., extending south from Old Shrews- 
bury Inlet. 

Warren Covnty, was taken from 
Sussex, by Act, "20th Nov., 1824, 
which directed. That all the lower 
part of the latter, southwesterly of a 
line, beginning on the river Dela- 



M' WAR 



258 



WAR 



ware, at the mouth of Flat Brook, in 
the t-ship of Wali)ack, and running 
thence a straight course to the N. E. 
corner of Hardwicke church, and 
thence in the same course to the mid- 
dle of the Musconetcong creek, thence 
down the middle of the said creek, to 
the Delaware, should be a new coun- 
ty. Warren is bounded N. E. by 
Sussex CO.; S. E. by the Musco- 
netcong creek, which divides it from 
Morris and Hunterdon, and W. and 
N. W. by the river Delaware. Its 
greatest length, N. E. and S. W. is 
35 miles; greatest breadth, E. and 
W. 17 miles; area, about 350 square 
miles ; central lat. 40° 50' N. ; long. 
1° 58' E., from W. C. 

The county is divided between the 
primitive and transition formations. 
A strip of the former crosses it, in 
the neighbourhood of Beattystown, 
towards Philipsburg, and the other 
fills the portion N. of a line running 
N. W. and S. E. by Sparta, towards 
Belvidei-e, including the Blue moun- 
tain ; leaving an intervening strip of 
primitive, of a wedge-like form, hav- 
ing its broader part resting on New 
York. From these formations wo 
may expect a great variety of soils ; 
and indeed all the rocks which be- 
long to them, are singularly blended. 
The valley of the Musconetcong, on 
the N. W. side, abounds with transi- 
tion limestone, bordered by a vein 
of dark slate ; and all the valleys, 
whether of the primitive or transition, 
are fertilized by the decomposition of 
the limestone rock, mingling with the 
sand, loam and clay, washing from 
the mountains, making a compound, 
various as the rocks from which it is 
derived. > 

The metals found within the comi- 
ty, are magnetic iron, brown hema- 
tite, and bog ore, in several places, 
but principally in Scott's mountain, 
Jenny Jump, and on the Delaware 
river, near Foul Rift. A mine of 
magnetic iron ore is wrought in 
Scott's mountain, Oxford t-ship, 
where a furnace was established near- 
ly a century since, and has lately 
been repaired and put into operation. 



Zinc, or lead, apjjears in the hills 
which bound the Musconetcong val- 
ley, on the N. W. ; but most proba- 
bly zinc, inasmuch as these hills are 
in the range of the Wallkill moun- 
tain, where that metal lies in large 
masses. Gold and silver are said to 
have been discovered in the Jenny 
Jump mountain, but which, though 
possibly true, may in all likelihood, 
be iron or copper pyrites, which have 
so often been mistaken for the pre- 
cious metals. Marble, steatite, or 
soapstone, roofing slate, and manga- 
nese, may also be obtained in the 
county, sufficiently near to naviga- 
tion, to render them valuable in com- 
merce. The state quarries, near the 
Blue mountain, are already exten- 
sively worked. 

The county is marked by several 
prominent mountain ridges, which 
determine its water courses, and the 
surface is every where uneven. En- 
tering it from the south, we cross the 
natural boundary, the Musconetcong 
creek, which is confined to a narrow 
valley, by hills, forming a continua- 
tion of the Wallkill mountain, whose 
north-western base is washed by the 
Pohatcong creek, for nearly the whole 
breadth of the county ; and the val- 
ley of that stream is divided from 
that of the Bequest, by Scott's moun- 
tain, which breaks into small and 
diminished knolls, near the eastern 
extremity of the county. North of 
the main branch of the Bequest, but 
embraced . by it and its chief tributa- 
ry, Beaver brook, lies the Jenny 
Jump mountain, a narrow and iso- 
lated ridge. Beaver brook drains a 
valley of several miles in width, and 
covered with knolls of slate, and beds 
of limestone, and circumscribed north- 
ward by a long, unbroken, slaty 
ridge, which bounds the valley of the 
Paulinskill. Between that stream, 
and the Blue mountain, the mean 
distance may be about five miles. 
The Blue mountain covers the re- 
maining portion of the county, with 
the exception of a small strip of allu- 
vial, which borders the Delaware 



WAR 



259 



WAR 



As in most parts of the primitive 
and transition formations, the streams 
are rapid and precipitous, allbrding 
advantageous use of their volumes 
for hydraulic purposes, but are in no 
instance navigable. The waters of 
the county, without exception, seek 
the Delaware; and whilst that river 
boldly cuts its way through the moun- 
tains, these tributaries are compelled 
to pursue the course of the ridges 
whose bases they lave. 

The only artificial road of tlie 
county, is that from Morristown to 
Philipsburg, opposite to Easton. A 
rail-road has been authorized by the 
Legislature, which is designed to unite 
with a similar road, opposite to Belvi- 
dere, on the Delaware, and to proceed 
thence to the Susquehanna river. 

The business of the county is chief- 
ly agricultui'al, and its staples are 
wheat, corn, rye, oats, and flax ; and 
in the northern part buckwheat. 
Within a few years, husbandry has 
made great advances, and yet conti- 
nues to improve. The use of lime 
as a manure is becoming general; 
and the rich valley lands yield very 
large crops of wheat, which find a 
ready market at Easton. Flax-seed 
is also grown in great quantities ; of 
which 12,000 bushels are annually 
purchased in Belvidei-e, alone. 

In 1830, the county contained, 
18,627 inhabitants, of whom 9463 
were white males, 8695 white fe- 
males; 214 free coloured males, 208 
free coloured females; 21 male, and 
26 female slaves. Of this popula- 
tion, 286 were aliens, 10 were deaf 
and dumb, and 14 were blind. The 
inhabitants are chiefly of English ex- 
traction, and a considerable portion 
from New England parents. 

By the abstract of the assessors, 
reported to the Legislature, in 1832, 
there were 102,377 acres of improved 
land, making nearly one-half the area 
of the county; 1062 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30; 



411 einglemen; 3489 taxables; 56 
merchants, 45 grist mills, 41 saw 
mills, 16 cai-ding machines, 7 fur- 
naces for casting iron, 2 cotton and 
woollen factories, 2 fulling mills, 3 
oil mills, and 1 plaster mill, 235 tan 
vats, 1 glass factory, 3 distilleries of 
grain, and 25 ol" cider; 14 carriages, 
with steel springs; 177 riding chairs, 
gigs and sulkies; 4324 horses, and 
7772 neat cattle, over 3 years of age ; 
and it paid fort-ship purposes, $5700; 
and for state and county purposes, 
18999 20. The t-ship of Greenwich 
alone honourably distinguished itself, 
by appropriating money to school use, 
and paid for this object, $500. 

The religious sects of the county 
are Presbyterian, Methodist, Epis- 
copalian, Baptists, and Chris-fi-ans. 
The last has, we believe, two church- 
es, and admits women to officiate in 
the ministry. These sects rank in 
number in the order we have placed 
them. 

The towns and post-offices of the 
county are, Belvidere, the seat of jus- 
tice ; Finesville, Hughesville, Blooms- 
bury, Asbury, Imlaydale, Pleasant 
Valley, Mansfield, Anderson, Beattys- 
town, Hackettstown, Alamuche, Long 
Bridge, Johnsonburg, Lawrenceville , 
Marksborough, Philipsburg, Stew- 
artsville, New Village, Broadway, 
Concord, Rocksbury, Oxford, Hope, 
Shiloh, Columbia, Knowlton Mills, 
Centreville, Sodom, Gravel Hill, &c. 

The courts of common pleas, or- 
phan's courts, and quarter sessions, 
are holden at Belvidere, on the 2d 
Tuesday of February, 1st Tuesday of 
June, 4th Tuesday of August, and 
the 1st Tuesday after the 4th in No- 
vember. The circuit court and ses- 
sions of oyer and terminer, and ge- 
neral jail delivery, are holden on the 
1st Tuesday in June, and the 1st 
Tuesday after the 4th in November. 

The county elects one member to 
the council, and two to the general 
Assembly. 



:' J^ WAR 260 WAS 

STATISTICAL TABLE OF WARREN COUNTY. 



Townships. 


c 


a 


Area. 


Surface. 


Population. 


1830. 


Greenwich, 

Hardwick, 

Independence, 

Knowlton, 

Mansfield, 

Oxford, 

Pahaquarry, 


13 
11 
9 
10 
15 
16 
13 


11 

8 

8^ 
10 
62 

5^ 
2i 


38,000 
24,320 
29,440 
44,800 
33,000 
42,000 
12,800 


hilly, 
do. 
hills and vales. 

do. 
mountainous. 

do. 

do. 


4486 
1962 
2126 

2827 
3303 
3665 

258 




224,360 


18,627 



Warren t-ship, Somerset co., 
bounded N. by Bernard t-ship and 
by Morris t-ship, Morris co., from 
which it is separated by the Passaic 
river; N. E. by New Providence; 
S. E. by Westfield t-sliip, of Essex 
CO.; S. by Piscataway t-ship, Mid- 
dlesex CO.; and S. W. by Bridge- 
water t-ship, Somer.sct co. Greatest 
length N. E. and S. W. 8 miles; 
breadth N. and S. 4 miles : centrally 
distant N. E. from Somerville 6 
miles; area, 18,000 acres; surface, 
mountainous, the whole t-ship being 
covered with hills; bent into elliptic 
form, with a single narrow valley 
drained by Middle Brook. These 
hills are low, well wooded, and com- 
posed of trap rock, upon old red sand- 
stone, whose disintegration gives a 
soil of stiff clay and sandy loam. 
They contain veins of copper ore, ap- 
parently, very rich, and said to be 
valuable not only for the copper they 
contain, but also for their gold. Se- 
veral efforts have been made to work 
them, but none have been success- 
fully prosecuted. Mines have been 
opened within 2 miles N. E. of So- 
merville, which were lately wrought 
by Mr. Cammams and Dr. Stryker, 
who have suspended their operations ; 
others, within a mile of the village 
of Green Brook, and six of Somer- 
ville, were worked some 40 years 
ago. The southern base of these 
mineral hills is washed by Green 
Brook. Mount Bethel is a small 
hamlet at which we believe the post- 



ofRce of the t-ship is kept, called 
" Warren:' Population in 18.30, 
1501. In 1832 the t-ship contained 
about 300 taxables, 56 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30 ; 
42 single men, 4 stores, 8 saw mills, 
4 grist [mills, 2 fulling mills, 4 tan 
vats, 5 distilleries, 3 carding ma- 
chines, 259 horses and mules, and 
873 neat cattle, over 3 years of age. 

Warwick Creek, rises in Orange 
CO., in the state of New York, from 
Wickham's Pond, and flows thence 
by the town of Warwick S. W. into 
Vernon t-ship, Sussex co., and into the 
valley between Wawayanda and Po- 
chuck mountains; thence by a N. 
W. course re-enters the state of New 
York, and unites with the Wallkill 
river, in the Great Marsh. This 
stream gives motion to several mills. 

Washington t-ship, Morris co., 
bounded -N. by Roxbury t-ship ; E. 
by that t-ship and Chester; S. by 
Tewkesbury and Lebanon t-ships, 
Hunterdon co. ; and W. by Mansfield 
and Independence t-ships, Warren 
CO., from which it is separated by 
Musconetcong creek. Centrally dis- 
tant W. from Morristown 18 miles: 
greatest length E. and W. 8, breadth 
N. and S. 7^ miles; area, 27,500 
acres; surface, mountainous, Schoo- 
Icy's mountain covering the western 
portion; on the east of which, lies 
the German valley, drained by the 
south branch of the Raritan river: 
the intervening country between that 
and the Black river, near the south- 



WAS 



261 



WAT 



eastern boundary, is hilly. The soil 
of the highlands is generally clay 
and loam, with grey limestone in the 
valleys. Much ol" the mountain is 
cultivated, and v^^ith lime, brings 
abundant crops. The German valley 
is very rich, and settled by the indus- 
trious descendants of Germans. The 
celebrated mineral spring and houses 
of public entertainment, are on the 
mountain. (See Schooleifs Moun- 
tain.) Springtown and Pleasant 
Grove are villages of the t-ship. — 
Population in 1830, 2188. In 1832 
the t-ship contained 397 taxablcs, 124 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 in value; 8 stores, 11 
saw, 6 grist mills, 3 forges, 20 tan 
vats, 10 distilleries, 532 horses, and 
1015 neat cattle, above 3 years of 
age ; and paid the following taxes : 
state, i314; county, $703 74; poor, 
$300 ; road, $500. 

Washington, village of North 
Brunswick t-ship, Middlesex co., on 
the left bank of the South river, 5 
miles S. E. from New Brunswick, 
and about 3 miles from the conflu- 
ence of that river with the Raritan. 
There arc here 2 taverns, 3 stores, 
and from 30 to 40 dwellings. An 
unsuccessful attempt has been made 
to cut a canal, a mile long, between 
the South river and the Raritan, in 
order to save several miles in the 
navigation from the town to Perth 
Amboy. 

Washington t-ship, Burlington co., 
bounded N. and N. E. by Northamp- 
ton t-ship ; S. E. by Little Egg Har- 
bour t-ship ; S. W. and W. by Gal- 
loway and Waterford t-ships, Glou- 
cester CO. ; and N. W. by Evesham 
t-ship. Centrally distant S. from 
Woodbury, 22 miles. Greatest 
breadth, N. and S. 19 miles; great- 
est length, E. and W. 20 miles ; area, 
112,000 acres. Surface, level; soil, 
generally sandy, and covered with 
forest. Drained S. by the Little Egg 
Harbour river, and its several branch- 
es; Atsion, the main branch, being 
on the W. boundary, and Wading 
river running centrally through the 
t-ship. Shamong, Washington, and 



Greenbank, are villages of the t-ship. 
Population in 1830, 1315. In 1832 
the t-ship contained 141 household- 
ers, whose ratables did not exceed 
$30; 59 single men; 287 taxables; 
6 stores, 3 fisheries, 7 saw mills, 4 
grist mills, 2 furnaces, 1 forge, 6 
dearborns, 19 covered wagons, 4 gigs 
and sulkies, 333 neat cattle, 265 
horses and mules; and paid state 
tax, $117 12; county tax, $371 10; 
township tax, $450. 

Washington, p-t. of Washington 
t-ship, Monis co., in the German 
valley, Schooley's mountain, on the 
turnpike road from Morristown to 
Easton, and on the south branch of the 
Raritan river, 18 miles W. of Morris- 
town, 54 N. E. from Trenton, and 
220 by post route from W. C. ; con- 
tains 1 Presbyterian, and 1 Lutheran 
church, a school, 1 store, 2 taverns, 
and about 20 dwellings. It is sur- 
rounded by a fertile, well improved, 
limestone country. (See German 
Valley.) 

Washington, village of Mansfield 
t-ship, Warren county. (See Mans- 
field.) 

Waterford t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded N. E. by Chester t-ship ; E. 
by Evesham t-ship, Burlington co. ; 
S. E. by Galloway t-ship; W. by 
Gloucester and Newton t-ships ; and 
N. W. by the river Delaware. Cen- 
trally distant W. from Woodbury 12 
miles. Greatest length, N. W. and 
S. E., 25; breadth, 8 miles. Its 
form is very irregular, being deeply 
indented by the adjacent county of 
Burlington, and being near the mid- 
dle of its length, scarce more than a 
mile in width. Its surface is level, 
broken only by the streams which 
run through it; soil, sandy, mixed in 
the northern part, more or less with 
loam, but generally light, producing 
tolerable grass, when manured with 
marl, ashes or lime, and is cultivated 
in fruit and vegetables for market. 
The southern part of the t-ship, has 
a sandy soil, covered with a pine 
forest, and is valuable chiefly on ac- 
count of its timber. It is drained, 
N. E. by Pensauken creek ; N. W. 



WEA 



262 



WES 



by Cooper's creek, which, respective- 
ly, are boundaries ; and on the S. E. 
by several branches of the Atsion 
river, of which Atquatqua creek runs 
along the S. E. boundary. Shell 
marl is found in the t-ship, in the 
neighbourhood of Long-a-coming, and 
other places. Waterfordville, and 
EUisville, are villages of the t-ship, 
and Long-a-coming is on the western 
t-ship line. Population in 1830, 3088. 
In 1832 the t-ship contained an Epis- 
copal church, 404 householders, 
whose ratables did not exceed $30, 
in value ; 7 stores, 5 fisheries, 5 grist 
mills, 4 saw mills, 7 distilleries, 2 
glass factories; and paid poor tax, 
$660 52; county tax, $1321 06; 
township tax, $1200. 

Waterfordville, village of Water- 
ford t-ship, Gloucester co., on the 
road from Camden to Mooi'estown, 
about 5 miles from either ; contains 
a tavern, store, and 8 or 10 dwell- 
ings. 

Water Street, village of Mendham 
t-ship, Morris co., on the line between 
that and Morris t-ship, and on the 
head waters of Whippany river, 3 
miles W. of Morristown ; contains a 
grist mill, store, and half a dozen of 
dwellings. 

Watson's CreeJc, Middletown t-sp., 
Monmouth co., runs N. E. 2 miles, 
into Sandy Hook bay. 

Wawayanda Mountain, Vernon 
t-ship, Sussex CO., extends northerly, 
across the eastern part of the t-ship, 
about 9 miles. It interlocks on the 
S. with the Wallkill mountain. 

Way cake Creek, Middletown t-sp., 
Monmouth co., flovvs N. about 5 
miles, into the Raritan bay, W. of 
Point Comfort. 

Weasel; the name of a dense set- 
tlement, of Acquackanonck t-ship, 
Essex CO., extending for near 4 miles, 
along the right bank of the Passaic, 
between Acquackanonck village, and 
Paterson. There may be in the set- 
tlement, about 40 dwellings, many of 
which are very neat. The country 
is fertile, and extremely well culti- 
vated; — land, in farms, valued at 
$100 the acre. 



West or Jccak Creek, forms the 
S. E. boundary of Cumberland co., 
between that and Cape May co. It | 
is a mill stream between 6 and 7 « 
miles in length, upon which are 
Hughes' grist and saw mills. 

Westjield, small village of Chester 
t-ship, Burlington co., on the road 
from Camden to Burlington, 7 miles 
N. of the former, and 1 1 S. W. from 
Mount Holly; contains a Friends' 
meeting house, and some half dozen 
farm houses, in a very fertile well 
cultivated country. Soil, sandy loam. 

Westfield t-ship, Essex co., bound- 
ed N. by Springfield ; E. by Union ; 
S. E. by Rahway t-ships ; S. by Mid- 
dlesex CO.; W. by Warren t-ship, 
Somerset co., and by New Provi- 
dence t-ship. Centrally distant S. 
W.'from Newark 13 miles: greatest 
length 7, breadth 6 miles ; area, | 
18,000 acres; surface on the N. ■ 
W. hilly, but subsiding to a plain on 
the south ; soil, clay loam northward, 
and red shale southward : the latter ^ 
rich and carefully cultivated. Rah- 
way river courses the eastern, and 
Green Brook the western, boundary. 
A more abundant and delightful 
country is scarce any where to be 
found, than that along from the foot 
of the mountain, north of Scotch 
Plains through the t-ship. West- 
field, Plainfield, and Scotch Plains 
are villages and post-towns of the 
precinct. Population in 1830,2492. 
In 1832 the t-ship contained 475 tax- 
ables, 124 householders, whose rata- 
bles did not exceed $30 ; 64 single 
men, 5 merchants, 5 grist mills, 2 
saw mills, 1 paper mill, 423 horses 
and mules, and 1111 neat cattle, 
above 3 years old ; and paid state 
tax, $264 78; county, $692 77; 
poor, $420 ; road, $800. 

Westfield, p-t. of the above t-ship, 
11 miles S. W. from Newark, 218 
N. E. from W. C, 52 from Trenton, 
and 32- from Scotch Plains, on the 
road leading thence to Elizabethtown ; 
contains a Presbyterian church, a ta- ^ 
vern, store, and smithery, and 25 
dwellings. The vicinage is level, 
with a stiff clay cold soil. Lands 



WEY 



263 



WHI 



valued at an average of 25 dollars 
per acre. 

Westccunk Creek, rises by several 
branches in Little Egg Harbour t-sp, 
Burlington co., and flows S. E. about 
8 miles, through Stafford t-ship, Mon- 
mouth CO., into Little Egg Harbour 
bay. There was formerly a forge 
upon the stream. There are now a 
grist and saw mill, and in the vicini- 
ty, some 15 or 20 dwellings. The 
Palma Christl, or castor bean, is ex- 
tensively cultivated here. 

West MiJford, post-office of Ber- 
gen CO., 248 miles from W. C, and 
82 N. E. from Trenton. 

Weston, p-t., on the Millstone river, 
and on the Delaware and Raritan 
canal, formerly called Rogers' Mill, 
about a mile and a half from its con- 
fluence with the Raritan river, and 2 
miles below the village of Millstone, 
3 miles in a direct line S. E. of So- 
merville, Somerset co., and about 30 
from Trenton ; contains a saw mill, 
grist mill, store, and some 10 or 12 
dwellings. 

Weymouth, blast furnace, forge, 
and village, in Hamilton t-ship, Glou- 
cester CO., upon the Great Egg Har- 
bour river, about 5 miles above the 
head of navigation. The furnace 
makes about 900 tons of castings 
annually: the forge having four fires 
and two hammers, makes about 200 
tons bar iron, immediately from the 
ore. There are also a grist and a 
saw mill, and buildings for the work- 
men, of whom 100 are constantly 
employed about the works, and the 
persons depending upon them for 
subsistence, average 600 annually. 
There are 85,000 acres of land per- 
taining to this establishment, within 
which May's Landing is included. 
The works have a superabundant 
supply of water, during all seasons 
of the year. 

Weymouth t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded N. by Hamilton; E. by 
Great Egg Harbour river; S. and 
W. by Tuckahoe river. Centrally 
distant from Woodbury 41 miles : 
greatest length N. and S. 12 miles ; 
breadth E. and W. 10 miles; area, 



50,000 acres ; surface, level ; soil, 
sandy: eastern boundary on the 
river, and the portion on the S. E. 
lying between the two rivers is salt 
marsh. Stephens' Creek and Tucka- 
hoe are villages and post-towns of 
the t-ship. Population in 1830, 3333. 
In 1832 the t-ship contained 90 house- 
holders, whose ratables did not ex- 
ceed $30 ; 4 stores, 2 grist mills, 1 
carding machine, 1 blast furnace, and 
2 forges called Etna, 4 saw mills, 
315 neat cattle, and 90 horses and 
mules, above 3 years old ; and paid 
county tax, $157 69; poor tax, $78 
82 ; and road tax, $600. 

Whale Pond Creek, Shrewsbury 
t-ship, Monmouth co., flows easterly 
about 5 miles to the ocean, about a 
mile below the Long Branch board- 
ing houses. It gives motion to a 
mill. 

Wheat Sheaf, small village on the 
line separating Rahway from Eliza- 
bethtown t-ship, 8 miles S. W. from 
Newark, and half-way between 
Bridgetown and Elizabcthtov.'n, 3 
miles from either ; contains a tavern, 
from whose sign it has its name ; a 
store, and 8 or 10 dwellings. 

Whippany, manufacturing village, 
of Hanover t-ship, Morris co., on the 
Whippany river, 5 miles N. E. of 
Morristown ; contains a Methodist 
church, an academy, 3 stores, 1 ta- 
vern, 5 cotton manufactories, 2000 
spindles, 3 paper mills, and 56 dwell- 
ings. Soil, loam, valued at 25 and 
30 dollars per acre. 

Whippany River, Morris co., a 
considerable tributary of the Rocka- 
way, rises in Mendham t-ship, at the 
foot of Trowbridge mountain, and 
flows by a N. E. course of 17 or 18 
miles, by Morristown, to its recipient 
about 2 miles above the junction of 
that stream with the Passaic. This 
is a fine mill stream, drives many 
mills in its course, and is well em- 
ployed at the village of Whippany. 

White Hall, hamlet on Schooley's 
mountain, Lebanon t-ship, Hunterdon 
CO., 18 miles N. E. of Flemington; 
contains a store, tavern, smith shop, 
and 4 or 5 dwellings. 



WIL 



264 



WIN 



WJiite Hill, landing and small vil- 
lage, on the Delaware river, Mans- 
field t-ship, Burlington co. ; contains 
2 taverns, 10 or 12 dwellings, and 
an air furnace. There is also a ferry 
here. 

White House, p-t. of Readington 
t-ship, Hunterdon co., 10 miles N. E. 
of Flemington, 33 from Trenton, and 
196 from W. C, upon Rockaway 
creek ; contains a grist mill, some 
12 or 15 dwellings, 3 stores, 3 ta- 
verns, and a Presbyterian or Dutch 
Reformed church. The surface of 
the country around it is hilly ; soil, 
loam, clay, and red shale. 

White Marsh Rtm, tributary of 
Maurice river, rises in Fairfield t-ship, 
Cumberland co., and flows eastward- 
ly to its recipient, about 6 miles. 

White Ponds, two small lakes, 
connected by a brook, lying at the 
west foot of Pimple Hill, in Hardis- 
ton t-ship, Sussex co., on the western 
line of the t-ship, distant, in a direct 
line N. E. from Newton, 8 miles. 

Wickhechecoke Creek, rises by 
two branches in the hills, on the N. 
W. of Amwell t-ship, Hunterdon co., 
and flows by a southerly course of 
10 miles, into the Delaware, giving 
motion to several mills. 

WiUiamsville, Orange t-ship, Es- 
sex CO., 5 miles N. W. of Newark, 
near the foot of the first mountain ; 
contains 8 or 10 houses. 

Williamsburg, or Pemi's Neck, 
West Windsor t-ship, Middlesex co., 
on the straight turnpike, from Tren- 
ton to New Brunswick, 10 miles from 
the first, 15 from the second, 2 miles 
from Princeton, and half a mile W. 
from Millstone river, and Stony 
brook ; contains a Baptist church, of 
wood ; an Episcopalian church ; 2 
taverns, 1 store, and 12 dwellings. 
Soil, kind, sandy loam, extremely 
well cultivated, and productive. There 
arc two large quarries of freestone, 
of excellent building stone upon the 
river. 

Williamsburg. (Sec Cedar Creek.) 

Willingboro' t-ship, Burlington 
CO., bounded N. E. by Burlmgton 
t-ship; S. E. by Northampton; S. 



W. by the Rancocus creek, which 
separates it from Chester t-ship ; and 
N. W. by the river Delaware. Cen- 
trally distant N. W. from Mount 
Holly, 7 miles. Greatest length, 6, 
breadth, 4 miles; area, 7500 acres. 
Surface, generally level; soil, sand 
and sandy loam, well cultivated, and 
productive in grass, grain, vegetables 
and fruit. A small branch of the 
Rancocus creek, crosses the t-ship. 
Dunks' ferry, over the Delaware, is 
within it, 4 miles below Burhngton. 
Cooperstown is the only village. Po- 
pulation in 1830, 782. In 1832 the 
t-ship contained 160 taxables; 50 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30; 28 single men ; 1 grist 
mill, 2 distilleries, 2 coaches, 6 dear- 
borns, 36 covered wagons, 4 chairs 
and curricles, 5 gigs and sulkies, 269 
neat cattle, and 176 horses and mules, 
above 3 years old ; and paid state 
tax, $109 38; county tax, $381 93; 
township tax, $400. 

Windsor, West, t-ship, Middlesex 
CO., bounded N. E. by South Bruns- 
wick; S. E. by East Windsor; S. 
W. by Nottingham t-ship, of Bur- 
lington CO., and by Lawrence t-ship, 
Hunterdon co. ; and on the N. W. 
by Montgomery t-ship, Hunterdon 
CO. Centrally distant S. W. from 
Brunswick, 17 miles. Greatest length, 
7, breadth, 5 miles; area, 19,000 
acres. Surface, level; soil, sandy 
loam and clay, generally well culti- 
vated, and producing, abundantly, 
grain "and grass. Drained on the E. 
by Millstone river ; on the S. W. by 
the Assunpink creek ; and on the N. 
W. by Stony Brook. The road 
through Princeton divides this from 
Somerset co. Princeton, Williams- 
burg, Clarksville, Dutch Neck, and 
Edinburg, are towns of the t-ship. 
Population in 1830, 2129. In 1832 
the t-ship contained 448 taxables; 
226 householders, whose ratables did 
not exceed $30; 64 single men; 6 
merchants ; 1 large grist mill, with 
3 run of stones; 1 woollen factory, 
3 distilleries, and 496 horses and 
mules, and 848 neat cattle, over 3 
years of age; and paid state tax, 



woo 



265 



WOO 



$320 49; county, $394 04; road, 
$200; poor, $450. Excellent free- 
stone, for building, is abundant in 
the t-ship. 

Windsor, East, t-ship of Middle- 
sex CO., bounded N. by South Bruns- 
wick t-ship ; N. E. by South Amboy; 
S. E. by Freehold t-ship, Monmouth 
CO. ; S. W. by Nottingliam t-ship, 
Burhngton co. ; and N. W. by West 
Windsor t-ship. Centrally distant S. 
W. from New Brunswick, 20 miles. 
Greatest length, 12 : greatest breadth, 
6 miles; area, 24,000 acres. Sur- 
face level; soil, sandy and gravelly 
loam, light, and not generally pro- 
ductive. Drained by Millstone river, 
and Rocky brook, on the N. E., and 
by the Assunpink and Miry run, 
upon the S. W. Hightstown, Mill- 
ford, Centreville, and Cattail, are vil- 
lages, the first a post-town, of the 
t-ship. The turnpike road from Bor- 
dentown, to New Brunswick, crosses 
the t-ship. Population in 1 830, 1 930. 
In 1832 the t-ship contained 487 tax- 
ables; 52 householders, whose rata- 
blcs did not exceed $30 ; and 41 sin- 
gle men, 3 merchants, 3 saw mills, 
4 grist mills, 1 woollen factory, 2 
carding machines, and fulling mills, 
32 tan vats, 13 distilleries for cider, 
and 484 horses and mules, and 897 
neat cattle, above 3 years of age ; 
and paid state tax, $286 77 ; county, 
$352 53; road tax, $400; poor tax, 
$700. 

Woodhridge t-ship, Middlesex co., 
bounded N. by Westfield, and Rah- 
way t-ships, Essex co. ; E. by Staten 
Island Sound; S. E. by Perth Am- 
boy t-ship ; S. by Raritan river ; and 
W. by Piscataway t-ship. Centrally 
distant from New Brunswick, N. E. 
8 miles. Length, E. and W. 9, 
breadth, N. and S. 9 miles; area, 
24,000 acres. Surface, level; soil, 
red shale, universally well cultivated. 
Drained on the N. E. by a branch of 
Rahwav river, upon which are some 
mills. Rahway and Woodbridge, 
are post-towns, Matouchin and Bon- 
hamtown, villages of the t-ship. Two 
turnpike roads from New Brunswick, 
run N. E. through the t-ship, which 

2L 



are crossed by another, from Perth 
Amboy to New Durham. Popula- 
tion in 1830, 3969. In 1832 the 
t-ship contained 700 taxables; 180 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 in value ; 99 single men ; 
13 -stores, 5 saw mills, 3 grist mills, 
40 tan vats, 1 distillery, 585 horses 
and mules, 1555 neat cattle, 3 years 
old and upwards ; and paid state tax, 
$594 53; county, $731 03; road, 
1800; poor, $1000. This t-ship con- 
tains a portion of the thriving town 
of Rahway. It was incorporated by 
Governor Philip Carteret, prior to 
1680, by one of the most liberal 
charters which had ever been given 
in America. (See Records of East 
Jersey Proprietaries, at Amboy.) 
In 1682, it was estimated that there 
were in the t-ship, one hundred and 
twenty families. They had then 
erected a court-house and prison, and 
had many thousand acres surveyed 
for plantations. Delaplaine, the sur- 
veyor-general, was one of the set- 
tlers here. 

Woodbury Creek, Deptford t-ship, 
Gloucester co., rises by two branches ; 
the southern called Matthew's branch, 
each about 3 miles above Woodbury, 
and unite below the town. The north 
branch is navigable from the town to 
the river Delaware, 3 miles. 

Woodbury, p-t., and seat of jus- 
tice of Gloucester co., on Woodbury 
creek, at the head of navigation, 8 
miles S. of Camden, 39 from Tren- 
ton, and 145 from W. C. ; contains 
a spacious court-house of brick, and 
county othces, fire proof, and of the 
same material, detached, and a pri- 
son, in the rear of the court-house, 
of stone; 1 Friends' meetiiig house, 
lai-gc, and of brick ; 1 Presbyterian 
church, frame, with cupola and bell, 
the upper part of which is used as an 
academy; and 1 brick Methodist 
chui'ch; 2 common schools; 2 pub- 
lic libraries, one of which was found- 
ed by the ladies of the town ; 2 sun- 
day schools ; a county bible society ; 
and temperance society, which has 
been productive of very beneficial 
effects; several store-keepers refusing 



woo 



/ 

266 



YAR 



to sell spirituous liquors ; 1 stores, 
3 taverns, 4 lawyers, 3 physicians, 
1 clergyman, 100 dwelling houses, 
and 735 inhabitants. The town, for 
a mile in length, and half a mile in 
breadth, is incorporated, for the main- 
tenance of a fire engine and fire ap- 
paratus, for which eight public wells 
have been sunk ; and the provisions for 
defence, against this devastating ele- 
ment, are very efficient. The creek 
was, 70 years since, stopped- out; but 
the obstruction was removed in 1830, 
much to the convenience and health 
of the inhabitants. Vessels now load 
at the landing, in the town. 

Woodrujf^s Gap, through Bear 
Fort mountain, Pompton t-ship, Ber- 
gen CO. The Ringwood and Long 
Pond turnpike road passes through it. 

Woodstoxvn, p-t., and village, of 
Pilesgrovo t-ship, Salem co., upon the 
Salem creek, 10 miles E. of the toAvn 
of Salem, 161 N. E. from W. C, 
and 55 S. of Trenton. The town 
contains about 150 dwellings, 2 ta- 
verns, and 6 stores, 3 schools, 1 
Friends' meeting, 1 Baptist, and 1 
African Methodist church. In the 
neighbourhood of the town, there are 
some valuable marl beds — and the 
use of marl has much improved the 
agriculture of the t-ship. 

Woodsville, p-t. of Hopewell t-sp., 
Hunterdon co., 10 miles S. from 
Flemington, 13 N. fi'om Trenton, 
179 from W. C, on the turnpike road 
from N. Brunswick, to Lamberts- 
ville ; contains a store, tavern, and 
half a dozen dwellings, mostly new. 
It lies upon the slope of a gently 
rising ground, from which there is a 
delightful prospect of the surround- 
ing country ; the soil of which is of 
red shale, and well cultivated. 

Woolwich t-ship, Gloucester co., 
bounded on the N. E. by Greenwich; 
on the S. E. by Frankhn, t-ships; 
S. W. by Pittsgrove, Pilesgrove, and 
Upper Penn's Neck, t-ships, Salem 
co; and N. W. by the river Dela- 
ware. Centrally distant S. W. from 
Woodbury, 11 miles. Greatest length, 



16; breadth, 7 miles; area, about 
40,000 acres. Surface, level; soil/ 
sandy, and on the S. E. covered with 
pine forest. Drained, westerly, by 
Repaupo, Little Timber, Raccoon, 
and Oldman's, creeks — the last of 
which forms the S. W. boundary. 
Swedesboro' and Battentown, are 
villages — the first a post-town of the 
t-ship. Population in 1830, 3033. 
In 1832 the t-ship contained 333 
householders, whose ratables did not 
exceed $30 ; 8 stores, 9 grist mills, 
4 saw mills, 3 fulling mills, 1 tan- 
nery, 8 distilleries, 1433 neat cattle, 
and 699 horses and mules above the 
age of 3 years. 

Wranglehoro'' or ClarFs Mill, 
village, on Nacote creek, of Gallo- 
way t-ship, Gloucester co., about 37 
miles S. E. from Woodbury; con- 
tains a store, one or more taverns, 
and one mill, and 15 or 20 dwellings. 

Wra7igle Brook, considerable tri- 
butary of the south branch of Toms' 
river, Dover t-ship, Monmouth co., 
uniting with the main branch, about 
two miles above Toms' River village. 

Wrightsville, on the road from 
Allen town to Freehold, Upper Free- 
hold t-ship, Monmouth co., 5 miles 
from the former, and 14 from the 
latter; contains 8 or 10 dwellings 
and a Quaker meeting. house; soil, 
sandy. In the rear of the village, 
upon Cattail creek, are some bog 
meadows, which, in hot weather, are 
covered, in places, with an efflores- 
cence of sulphate of iron (copperas). 
- WrigJitstoton, Hanover t-ship, 
Burlington co., 10 miles N. E. from 
Mount^ Holly, and 10 S. E. of Bor- 
denton; contains 2 taverns, 2 stores, 
a Methodist church, and some 15 or 
20 dwellings; surrounded by a very 
fertile country. 

Yard''s Branch, of Paulinskill, 
rises in the Blue mountains, in Paha- 
quarry t-ship, and flows S. W. through 
Knowlton t-ship to its recipient, near 
the village of Sodom, having a course 
of about 8 miles. 



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